As the end of the financial year nears closer, we all begin to start thinking about tax time. For some, this can be an easy time of the year, while for others it can be confusing in relation to what you can and can’t claim.
When it comes to personal expenses such as accident & health insurance policies for you and your family, you might be wondering if these come with any tax implications or benefits. Can you claim tax, and does this change depending on your policy?
Well, we are here to help. Whether your insurance premium is tax-deductible or not will depend on a range of variables. These include what kind of insurance product it is and how you purchased it.
When discussing accident and health insurance the term often refers to four types of cover: accidental death, trauma, income protection, and total and permanent disability (TPD). Each of these types of insurance is used for a different purpose, some can be purchased in joint packages but usually, all can be purchased individually, depending on your needs. It is important for you and your family to have some sort of plan if the unthinkable is to occur, and you still need to meet important financial obligations.
It’s #tax time! Finder’s money experts share their tips to claim deductions on everything from your #home office, #car and #insurance to your #mortgagehttps://t.co/EQuu0TLngB
— Finder (@findercomau) July 7, 2021
When purchasing accidental death, income protection, and total and permanent disability (TPD)insurance, there are often three different ways you can purchase. It can be purchased through your superannuation, through an insurance broker or financial advisor, and directly through the insurance company. You are not allowed to purchase trauma insurance via your Super Fund.
So, is any of your accident and health insurance tax deductible?
If you have purchased cover through your superannuation fund, then the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) advises that the premiums for these insurance policies aren’t personally tax-deductible.
If you have purchased any cover outside of your superannuation, the ATO advises that your premium or any part of a premium isn’t tax deductible if the policy compensates you for physical injuries.
This means that if you have bought a TPD, accidental death, or trauma cover policy outside of your super, they are not tax-deductible. However, if you have income protection cover, you can claim tax deductions on the premium you pay for insurance, against the loss of your income.
If you are purchasing or have purchased income protection insurance outside of your super fund, you can personally tax deduct this. You will be able to deduct an amount, based on how much you earn and the tax bracket you fall under.
Not only is your income protection potentially tax-deductible if purchased outside of your superannuation, but there are also other benefits of purchasing insurance outside of your superannuation. Holding insurance cover through your superannuation can hold some additional challenges. There are often generic levels of cover offered through your superannuation, so the better option might be to purchase your insurance through an insurance broker, or directly through an insurance company.
If you are looking for a trustworthy and bespoke boutique insurance company to purchase accidental death, income protection, trauma, or TPD insurance from, then Aspect Underwriting is the right answer for you.
Aspect Underwriting pride themselves on selling simple insurance policies, using their easy online application process. You can purchase your policy quickly and easily, without having to deal with any in-person meetings or phone calls. Check out Aspect Underwriting today to find out more.
Mike Wallis
Mike has over 25 years experience, having spent his first seven years working as a Broker at Jardine Lloyd Thomson in Melbourne and in 2002 was transferred to JLT’s Accident and Health Department in London. For four years (2002 – 2005) Mike was a specialist A&H Lloyd’s Broker and during this time developed excellent relationships with the Lloyd’s A&H underwriting fraternity. In 2006 he returned to Australia in a senior broking position with overall responsibility for Placement Strategy, including the implementation of underwriting facilities and the various authorities granted by Lloyd’s. Mike was the underwriter at two specialist Underwriting Agencies prior to founding Aspect Underwriting in 2016.
