Can I claim trauma insurance if I'm still able to work?

Yes, one of the key advantages of trauma insurance is that you can claim and receive the full benefit even if you're still able to work or eventually return to work after your illness. Unlike TPD (Total and Permanent Disability) insurance which requires you to be permanently unable to work, trauma insurance pays based purely on receiving a covered diagnosis that meets the policy's medical definition, regardless of your work capacity. This makes trauma insurance particularly valuable because many people who suffer serious illnesses like cancer or heart attacks do eventually return to work after treatment and recovery, yet they still face significant medical costs, reduced income during treatment, and financial stress. You can use your trauma payout for any purpose while continuing to earn an income - whether that's paying for treatments not covered by Medicare, covering bills while you take time off work, paying down your mortgage, or funding lifestyle adjustments during recovery. Even if you make a full recovery and return to work within months, you keep the entire lump sum payment. This is fundamentally different from income protection insurance (which only pays while you're unable to work) or TPD insurance (which requires permanent disability). The ability to claim while maintaining work capacity makes trauma insurance an essential complement to other insurance types.