Income Protection
Income protection provides a monthly benefit if you can’t work due to accident, illness, or injury. It replaces a portion of your earnings so you can keep paying your mortgage, bills, and everyday costs while you recover.
Get a free quoteMost people couldn’t cover their bills for more than a few weeks without their income. Statutory sick pay is just £116.75 per week — nowhere near enough to cover a typical mortgage, let alone the rest of your household costs. Income protection closes that gap, paying you a regular monthly benefit until you’re well enough to return to work or until the policy ends.
Why income protection matters
Your income funds everything. Protecting it is protecting your lifestyle.
Keep your home
Your mortgage doesn’t stop if you can’t work. Income protection ensures payments continue so your family stays secure.
Cover everyday costs
Bills, food, childcare, transport — all the essentials that depend on your monthly income keep getting paid.
Recover without pressure
Financial stress delays recovery. Knowing your income is protected lets you focus entirely on getting well.
How income protection works
A step-by-step overview of the process from illness to receiving your benefit.
You become unable to work
An illness, accident, or injury prevents you from doing your job. This covers any medical condition — not just a defined list.
Deferred period passes
Benefits start after your chosen waiting period (4, 8, 13, 26, or 52 weeks) — usually aligned to your employer’s sick pay.
Monthly benefit begins
You receive a regular tax-free payment, typically up to 60% of your gross income, paid directly to you.
Payments continue
Benefits keep paying until you return to work, the policy ends, or you reach the chosen end age (often age 70).
Key decisions we’ll help you with
Choosing a deferred period
The deferred period is how long you wait before benefits start. A shorter wait (e.g. 4 weeks) gives faster protection but costs more. A longer wait (e.g. 26 weeks) is cheaper — ideal if your employer offers extended sick pay. We’ll help you align this with your existing entitlements and savings.
Benefit amount and type
Most insurers allow you to cover up to 60% of your gross income. You can choose level benefits (fixed amount) or index-linked benefits that increase annually with inflation. Some policies also offer a “day one” benefit for hospitalisation, even during the deferred period.
Own occupation vs any occupation
“Own occupation” means you’re covered if you can’t do your specific job — this offers the strongest level of protection and is what we recommend wherever possible. “Any occupation” only pays out if you are unable to work in any job, offering the lowest level of protection. The definition your policy uses can make a significant difference at claim stage, so it’s important to get this right from the outset.
Guaranteed vs reviewable premiums
Guaranteed premiums are fixed for the life of the policy. Reviewable premiums start lower but can increase at review points (typically every 5 years). For long-term cover, guaranteed premiums usually offer better value and certainty.
Self-employed?
Income protection is especially important if you’re self-employed. You won’t have employer sick pay to fall back on, and a period without income can quickly impact your business, your home, and your family. We arrange cover for sole traders, contractors, and directors regularly.
Strengthen your protection
Income protection works best as part of a broader plan.
Critical Illness Cover
A lump sum on diagnosis of a serious illness — handles the immediate financial shock.
Learn more →
Private Medical
Faster diagnosis and treatment can mean a shorter recovery and an earlier return to work.
Learn more →Protect your income today
We’ll help you balance benefits, budget, and the right deferred period — so your lifestyle is protected if you can’t work.