An illness can cost far further in monetary terms than just the value of the medical bills or health insurance premiums you pay. The disruption to your income stream can wreak havoc with your daily life (and/or that of your dependants), especially if the illness is prolonged or (yikes!) terminal.

Wherever there's a financial risk, the insurance industry is sure to be there with a product to cover you. And death and disability is no exception.

Present are numerous special types of policy in the insurance marketplace, designed to maintain your financial security, and/or that of your family or other dependants.

You preserve get these policies directly from a life insurer – all the major general and life insurers offer them. Or you can use an intermediary, like a broker or an agent. They come as a stand-alone product, or several products bundled together.

Several policies are offered via your superannuation support – and usually at a especially competitive price. Though the amount of cover may be limited, so you may need to take out additional cover.

If you don't have dependants, or you wouldn't suffer economically from a disabling situation, then these policies probably aren't for you. Feel free to click your back button of your browser and visit a different part of the site.

However if you do have dependants – and the consequences of your death and/or disability have been preying on your mind – then read on (we promise to keep it snappy).