From 1 January 2009, financial CEPU (Communications Division) members are covered for injuries they might experience on their way to or from work.

After months of negotiation the CEPU entered into a journey cover deal with respected insurance brokers, AusInsure.

Attached below are:

• The Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) – which tells you what the scheme covers and how it runs including special PDS amendments specific to the CEPU scheme
• A claim form – that you should fill out if you have a claim

Please note: the scheme is only available for financial members of the CEPU (Communications Division)

Why did the CEPU set this up?

The former Howard Government changed workers compensation laws allowing employers to refuse to pay compensation for employees who suffer accidents and injuries to and from work.

And workers who sustained an injury while on a meal break from a workplace also had their workers compensation limited.

This meant that if you suffered such an accident that kept you from work for weeks, you would have no income available to you.

But with this new benefit, financial CEPU members can rest easier knowing that they will have a degree of income support if they suffer journey related injuries or injuries experienced during an authorised meal break.

Under this scheme up to 85 per cent of your normal weekly wage can be paid to you, to help you get by until you return to work.

While the scheme can’t neatly reproduce previous workers compensation benefits, it will certainly provide improved income support – and that means greater peace of mind for our members and their families.

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Some frequently asked questions:

What is journey cover and why do we need it?

Because of changes made by the former Howard government, if you experience an accident on your way to or from work, you are no longer covered by workers compensation – that means no income support if you’re off work and run out of sick leave.

But with this new benefit, financial CEPU members can rest easier knowing that they will have a degree of income support if they suffer journey related injuries or injuries experienced during an authorised meal break.

Under this scheme up to 85 per cent of your normal weekly wage can be paid to you, to help you get by until you return to work.

Who’s covered?

If you’re a financial member of the CEPU (Communications Division), you’re covered.

Is there any cost?  Do I have to pay more for this?

Journey cover is provided at no extra cost to you – if you’re a financial member, you’re covered by your membership dues.

How does it work?

This scheme will be especially valuable to those members who have run out of sick leave and annual leave – and experience an injury that will keep them from work (and an income) for more than two weeks.

If you experience a journey injury and will be off work for more than two weeks, fill out the claim form (download here) and send it to our brokers.  Naturally, they will require medical evidence to document the injury and the cause of it.

How do I notify a claim?

A claim form can bedownloaded here or you can call 1300 724 436.

How long will it take for a claim to be approved?

The insurers have set a five day service standard for claim consideration and response.

Do I have a waiting period?

For a weekly benefit claim, benefits commence after the Waiting Period of 14 days.

What is the Weekly Benefit?

85% of your average gross weekly earnings to a maximum of $1500.

What is paid in the event of death by Accident?

Cover includes a Lump Sum Benefit in the event of Accidental Death up to $100,000 (limit of $20,000 for a member without dependants).

Will the payments recognise the amount of money I usually make from overtime?

The benefit is for 85 per cent of your average gross weekly earnings (to a maximum of $1500), taking into account overtime normally worked or bonuses earned.

What is the benefit period?

Weekly Benefits are payable up to a maximum of 104 weeks.

I am over 65 years old – am I covered?

You are covered up to age 75 however the benefit term is reduced to 52 weeks if a claim for Weekly Benefits occurs after age 66

Am I covered on my lunch/meal break?

Yes, the cover extends to an authorised meal break within 10 km of your work place and also covers members attending Union meetings

How will I be paid?

The preferred method is via electronic deposit into your bank account – in line with your employer’s normal pay period (ie fortnightly).  However, contact AusInsure to discuss possible alternative arrangements.

Will this cover medical costs for treatment of my journey injury?

No.  The scheme is mainly aimed at providing a level of income support that did not previously exist due to the Howard government’s workers compensation changes.

The CEPU has been able to fund this scheme within what we’re able to afford under current membership dues.  We could only fund a more comprehensive scheme by increasing our dues – which may have the effect of making general membership expensive to ordinary workers.

Where can I get more information?

If you’ve read this and the Product Disclosure Statement and have any further questions, feel free to email us at admina@cepu.org