Disclaimer – This article is general information and education only. It should not be considered financial or legal advice. TPD claims vary greatly and timelines differ depending on the insurer/super fund, quality of medical evidence, nature of injury/illness, and the complexity of your claim. For advice specific to your case, please contact a superannuation/insurance-claims lawyer.
Submitting a Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) claim can be the first step toward financial relief after months or years of illness or injury. But instead of swift approval, many Queenslanders face frustrating delays.
It is common for TPD claims to take 12–18 months, or longer – even when the evidence is crystal clear.
This leaves many claimants asking:
“Why is my insurer taking so long to decide my claim?”
The answer: insurers often deliberately use tactics – some fair, others unfair – to delay the process. Knowing what these tactics are, and how to fight back, is vital to protect your rights and get your payout sooner.
Reasonable timelines for TPD claims
- 6–9 months – Straightforward claims (clear incapacity, consistent specialist evidence).
- 12–18 months – Complex claims (mental health conditions, disputed permanency, multiple super funds).
- 18–24+ months – Contested claims (insurer disputes, AFCA complaints, or legal action).
👉 If your claim has dragged on for longer than 12 months with no explanation, it’s unlikely to be “normal processing time” – it’s probably insurer stalling tactics.
Why do insurers delay TPD claims?
| Tactic | What it looks like | Impact on you |
|---|---|---|
| Repeated medical report requests | Multiple GP/specialist reports or Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs) | Adds months and costs |
| “Lost” or incomplete paperwork | Claim forms or employer statements “missing” or deemed “incomplete” despite resubmission | Wastes time, forces re-submission |
| Surveillance & credibility checks | Monitoring your social media or physical surveillance | Delays while reports are compiled |
| Vocational assessments | Arranging reports to argue you could retrain for “lighter duties” | Extends timeline, gives insurer room to dispute |
| Internal reviews | Claim “under review” by various departments for months | File sits idle with no updates |
| Questioning consistency | Alleged mismatches between GP, specialist and employer records | Shifts burden back onto you to resolve |
| Waiting out limitation periods | Delays designed to cause hardship or discourage appeals | May pressure you to give up or accept less |
Why do insurers stall?
- Financial gain – Insurers hold and invest claim funds until payout.
- Attrition strategy – They hope you’ll give up from stress or hardship.
- Evidence hunt – Long delays increase their chances of finding inconsistencies.
- Cheap settlements – The longer you wait, the more desperate you may become to accept less.
How to fight back against insurer delays
| Step | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| ✅ Keep detailed records | Prevents excuses about “lost” forms or missing documents. |
| ✅ Follow up regularly | Keeps your file active – call or email every 2–3 weeks. |
| ✅ Provide strong specialist evidence early | Cuts down requests for additional reports later. |
| ✅ Escalate to AFCA | The Australian Financial Complaints Authority can impose timelines. |
| ✅ Get legal advice | Lawyers know insurer tactics and can escalate action quickly. |
Case examples in Queensland
| Example | Facts | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Back injury – excessive IMEs | Michael, 45, spinal injury, insurer ordered 3 IMEs over 14 months | Lawyer challenged delays. Claim approved after 16 months, $400,000 paid. |
| PTSD – “incomplete” forms | Sarah, 38, nurse. Insurer claimed forms incomplete despite resubmissions | Complaint to AFCA. Claim approved after 12 months, $280,000 credited. |
| COPD – vocational delay | John, 55, COPD patient. Insurer delayed for 12 months pending vocational report | Lawyer intervened. Claim approved after 18 months, $420,000 paid. |
Mistakes to avoid
❌ Accepting insurer excuses without pushback.
❌ Relying only on GP notes instead of specialist reports.
❌ Missing deadlines for evidence – gives insurer ammunition.
❌ Giving up after long delays – many claims succeed after appeal.
FAQs
How long can insurers take to decide a TPD claim?
There’s no strict law, but AFCA expects decisions within 6–12 months. Longer delays may justify a complaint.
What if my insurer keeps asking for more reports?
You can challenge unreasonable requests, especially if evidence is already strong.
Does a delay mean my claim will be rejected?
Not always – many delayed claims are eventually approved.
Will a lawyer really speed it up?
Yes. Lawyers can demand progress, escalate complaints, and pressure insurers to act.
Key takeaways
- TPD claims are often delayed by insurer tactics – not just complexity.
- Common stalling tricks include repeat reports, vocational reviews and “lost” paperwork.
- Protect yourself by keeping records, providing strong evidence and following up.
- Escalating to AFCA or using a lawyer can break through delays.
Delays in TPD claims are frustrating, stressful, and often unfair. Insurers save money by stalling and hope you’ll give up or settle for less.
But you don’t have to accept it. With persistence, strong evidence and legal support, you can push back against insurer tactics and get the payout you deserve.
At TPD Claims Lawyers, we help Queenslanders challenge insurer delays, escalate complaints, and secure entitlements faster. Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation if your claim has stalled.
Last updated: 9 September 2025