These three types of insurance serve different purposes and can complement each other. Life insurance only pays a benefit when you die or are diagnosed with a terminal illness with life expectancy typically under 24 months. TPD (Total and Permanent Disability) insurance pays when you're permanently unable to work again or perform normal daily activities due to illness or injury. Trauma insurance pays when you're diagnosed with a specified critical illness or injury, regardless of whether you can return to work. The key difference is that you can claim trauma insurance and continue working if you recover, whereas TPD requires permanent disability. Many Australians hold all three types of cover for comprehensive protection. Additionally, trauma insurance cannot be held in superannuation (for policies taken after July 2014), while life and TPD insurance can be held inside or outside super.