Income Protection Insurance

Replaces up to 70% of your earnings if you can't work due to illness or injury — giving you peace of mind that your essential bills are covered.

Income protection insurance replaces a portion of your earnings if you're unable to work due to illness or injury. Unlike critical illness cover, which pays a one-off lump sum, income protection provides a regular monthly payment — typically up to 70% of your gross salary — helping you keep up with mortgage payments, household bills, and everyday living costs while you recover.

This type of cover is essential for anyone whose household depends on their income, and it's particularly important if you're self-employed or have limited employer sick pay. Payments continue until you return to work, reach retirement age, or the policy term ends — whichever comes first. You can also choose a deferral period to align with any employer sick pay you receive.

Our FCA-regulated advisers specialise in finding the right income protection plan for your circumstances. Whether you're employed, self-employed, or a contractor, we'll compare options from leading UK providers and help you secure the cover you need — at no cost to you.

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What Is Income Protection?

Income protection insurance provides a regular monthly income if you are unable to work due to accident, illness, or injury. It can replace up to 70% of your gross earnings, helping you cover essential outgoings such as mortgage payments, household bills, and everyday living costs while you're off work.

This type of cover is available whether you're salaried, employed, or self-employed. Like level term and critical illness cover, income protection is medically underwritten — you'll need to complete a health and lifestyle questionnaire as part of your application. Most policies include a deferral period (typically 4, 8, 13, or 26 weeks) before payments begin, which affects the cost of your premiums.

Who Is Income Protection For?

Income protection is suitable for anyone whose household depends on their earnings. It's particularly important if you:

Are self-employed and wouldn't receive sick pay if you couldn't work
Have limited employer sick pay that would run out after a few weeks or months
Have a mortgage, rent, or other financial commitments that depend on your salary
Want long-term protection that pays out until you return to work or reach retirement

Key Benefits

Up to 70% of gross income — helps you maintain your standard of living while you recover
Covers any illness or injury — not limited to a list of named conditions like critical illness cover
Pays until you return to work — or until the end of the policy term, giving you long-term security
Flexible deferral periods — choose when payments start to match your employer's sick pay or savings
Employed or self-employed — available regardless of your employment status

Things to Consider

What is a deferral period?

The deferral period is the waiting time between becoming unable to work and when your income protection payments begin. Common options are 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 13 weeks, or 26 weeks. A longer deferral period usually means lower premiums. If your employer offers sick pay for the first few months, you can align your deferral period to start when that runs out.

How much of my income can I protect?

Most insurers allow you to cover up to 50–70% of your gross income. The exact percentage depends on the insurer and your circumstances. The payout is designed to cover essential outgoings rather than replace your full salary, and is typically paid tax-free.

Can I claim more than once?

Yes. Unlike critical illness cover, which pays a one-off lump sum, income protection can pay out multiple times during the policy term. If you recover and return to work, and later become unable to work again, you can make a new claim.

Is income protection the same as short-term sick pay insurance?

Not quite. Short-term income protection pays for a fixed period (typically 1–2 years), while long-term income protection can pay until you return to work or reach retirement age. Long-term policies tend to cost more but provide significantly greater security. Our advisers can help you weigh up the options.