Estimate the trauma (critical illness) lump sum you'd need on diagnosis: income during recovery, debts and medical costs, allowing for income protection.
Updated October 2026Built and checked by MaverickHow it's calculatedReport an error
Estimated cover
$550,000
lump sum on diagnosis
Income replacement
$120,000
12 months of income
Debt clearance
$400,000
debts paid off
Medical costs
$30,000
out of pocket
Income to replace during recovery, debt clearance to remove mortgage stress, and out-of-pocket medical costs.
Longer recovery means more income to replace. The recovery period is your own estimate; treatment for some conditions runs for many months.
Trauma insurance (also called critical illness insurance) pays a lump sum when you're diagnosed with a specified critical illness: cancer, heart attack, stroke, coronary artery bypass, and more. Unlike income protection (which replaces income while you can't work) or TPD (which requires permanent disability), trauma pays on DIAGNOSIS regardless of whether you can still work. The lump sum can go to treatment, mortgage payments, family support or time off to recover. This calculator adds up the need from your own figures; it doesn't price cover, because premiums depend on the insurer's assessment of your health.
Marketing manager earning $120,000 with a $400,000 mortgage, diagnosed with breast cancer. Expects 12 months of treatment and $25,000 out of pocket.
Without income protection: 12 months of income ($120,000) + mortgage ($400,000) + medical ($25,000) = $545,000. With income protection, the lump sum only needs the 30% of income IP can't pay: $36,000 + $400,000 + $25,000 = $461,000.