There are certain events or conditions that are not be covered - these are called ‘exclusions’.

With HBF Ezicover Income Protection a benefit or claim will not be paid where your disablement occurs as a direct or indirect result of the following:

• an intentional self-inflicted act or attempted suicide
• uncomplicated pregnancy or childbirth
• unemployment for reasons other than sickness or injury
• an act of war, whether declared or not
• your committing, being involved in or attempting to commit a criminal offence or the use of illegal illicit substances
• you being incarcerated or lawfully detained
• elective surgery (including cosmetic surgery) unless you are disabled for more than 90 days
• cancer, stroke or heart attack in the first 90 days of the start or reinstatement of the policy
• any sickness or injury which is the direct or indirect result of elective or donor transplant surgery within six months of the start or reinstatement of the policy
• events occurring during travel in countries outside Australia, if the Australian government has advised against travel to that country at the time of starting the trip. Visit www.dfat.gov.au/travel for more information
• any other condition/exclusion agreed with you at time of application, specifically noted on your Policy schedule.

HBF Ezicover Income Protection pays a monthly benefit, for up to the benefit period, while you are disabled and unable to work in any occupation solely due to sickness or injury (or injury only) depending on your cover type. The disability must firstly last longer than the waiting period.

For all valid claims, the first payment will commence 15 days after the waiting period ends, and will be paid while you remain disabled until one of the following events occur:

• we consider you are able to return to work;
• we consider you are no longer under the regular care of or not following the advice of a medical practitioner for treatment of the sickness or injury;
• the benefit period has ended;
• the policy has ended; or
• your death.

Your benefit payment will be determined by the amount of your cover and capped by the income at the time of claim in accordance with the ‘pre-disability income’ criteria as set out in the HBF Ezicover Income Protection PDS & FSG.

The benefit period is the maximum amount of time you will receive a monthly benefit for related conditions. With HBF Ezicover Income Protection, you can choose between 1, 2 or 5 years.

In most cases, a shorter benefit period results in a smaller premium.

You will have to be disabled for at least the duration of the waiting period before you can be eligible to claim a benefit from your income protection policy - this is called a ‘waiting period’. With HBF Ezicover Income Protection, you have the option of 30, 60 or 90 days as your waiting period, and will receive your first benefit 15 days after the waiting period ends.

In most cases, a longer waiting period results in a smaller premium.

Your HBF Ezicover Income Protection insurance starts when your application is accepted and you are issued your Policy schedule, and will end on the first day of any of these events occurring:

• You don’t pay your premium (generally, you have until 30 days after it was due)
• You cancel your policy
• Your policy expires on the policy anniversary following your 65th birthday
• You pass away

Generally, the premiums you pay for your policy can be claimed as a tax deduction by employees and self-employed people.

Any income benefit you receive from your income protection insurance policy while on claim must be included on your tax return, and may be taxed as a form of income.

This is a guide only and is based on current taxation laws. For more information about your individual circumstances, it’s best to speak to your tax adviser.