The term “total disability” means that the consumer has to be totally unable to carry out their occupation, before benefits can be paid under their income protection policy. This is also sometimes referred to as “total incapacity”.
We take the view that the words “total” or “totally” are a very strict test in this context. This means the focus of our investigation in a case like this is on whether the consumer is totally unable to carry out the essential or substantial duties of their occupation – not on whether they are totally unable to carry out all the duties required by their occupation.
