What is a survival period in TPD insurance?

A survival period is a clause in TPD insurance policies requiring you to survive for a specified period after the illness or injury that caused your disability before benefits are payable. Most TPD policies include a survival period of 14 days, meaning if the sickness or injury results in death within 14 days, no TPD benefit is paid (though life insurance would pay instead if you have it). The survival period exists because TPD insurance is designed to provide financial support to people living with permanent disability, not as a death benefit. It prevents scenarios where someone becomes disabled and immediately dies, triggering both TPD and life insurance payouts. The survival period applies differently depending on policy structure. For standalone TPD policies or policies not attached to life insurance, the 14-day survival requirement typically applies. For TPD policies attached or linked to life insurance, the survival period may not apply or may be different. Some policies waive the survival period for specific catastrophic events like paralysis or loss of limbs. The survival period is separate from the waiting period - you must survive 14 days after the disability occurs, and then typically wait 3-6 months before you can lodge a claim. Understanding this clause is important when structuring your overall insurance protection.