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What Is Income Protection Insurance?
Income protection insurance is designed to provide you with a regular income if illness or injury leaves you unable to work. It can help you continue covering everyday expenses and financial commitments while you're unable to earn your usual income.
What Is Income Protection?
Income protection insurance can replace part of your regular income if you're unable to work because of an illness or injury covered by your policy.
Rather than receiving one large lump-sum payment, income protection is normally designed to provide regular payments while you remain eligible to claim.
The amount you can receive, how soon payments begin and how long they can continue will depend on the policy you choose.
Why Might You Need Income Protection?
Your income helps pay for many of the things you rely on every month, from your mortgage or rent to household bills, food and other everyday expenses.
If illness or injury stopped you from working for an extended period, your usual income could reduce significantly, particularly once any employer sick pay ends.
Income protection can provide an additional financial safety net, helping you manage your regular commitments while you focus on recovering and returning to work.
How Does Income Protection Work?
When you take out income protection insurance, you choose the amount of cover you need along with options such as your deferred period and how long you want your policy to provide benefits.
If you become unable to work because of an eligible illness or injury, you can make a claim with your insurer. If your claim is accepted, payments can begin once your selected deferred period has ended.
Depending on the type of policy, payments may continue until you are able to return to work, reach the end of your claim period or reach the policy's specified end age.
What Can Income Protection Help With?
Income protection payments can help you continue meeting regular financial commitments while you're unable to work.
- Mortgage or rent payments
- Household bills and utilities
- Food and everyday living costs
- Loan and credit repayments
- Transport and commuting costs
- Family and childcare expenses
How you use the payments is generally up to you, giving you flexibility to prioritise the expenses that matter most to you.
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Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to common questions about income protection insurance
What is income protection insurance?
Income protection insurance is designed to provide you with a regular income if you are unable to work because of an illness or injury covered by your policy. The payments can help you manage everyday financial commitments while you are unable to earn your usual income.
How does income protection insurance work?
You choose a level of cover and pay a monthly premium. If you become unable to work because of an eligible illness or injury, you can make a claim. After the policy's agreed waiting period, the insurer may pay you a regular benefit while you remain eligible under the terms of the policy.
How much of my income can income protection cover?
Income protection policies usually cover a proportion of your earnings rather than your full salary. The maximum amount available varies between insurers and policies, so it is important to compare the level of cover available to you.
What does income protection insurance cover?
Income protection is generally designed to cover loss of income when illness or injury prevents you from working. Exactly what is covered, including exclusions and the definition of being unable to work, depends on the individual policy and insurer.
Does income protection cover redundancy?
Standard income protection insurance is generally intended to cover an inability to work because of illness or injury rather than redundancy. Some separate policies or products may offer unemployment-related cover, so you should check the terms of any policy carefully.
How long does income protection pay out for?
This depends on the type of policy you choose. Some policies have a maximum claim period, while longer-term income protection may continue paying while you remain eligible, potentially until you return to work or reach the policy's specified end age.
What is a deferred period in income protection insurance?
The deferred period is the length of time you must wait after becoming unable to work before eligible income protection payments begin. Different policies offer different waiting periods, and the option you choose can affect the cost of your cover.
Can self-employed people get income protection insurance?
Yes. Income protection can be particularly useful for self-employed people who may not receive the same sick pay benefits as employees. Eligibility and the amount of income that can be covered will depend on your circumstances and the insurer's requirements.
How much does income protection insurance cost?
The cost of income protection insurance can depend on factors such as your age, occupation, health, income, chosen benefit amount, deferred period and length of cover. Comparing quotes can help you understand the options and prices available for your circumstances.
How do I compare income protection insurance quotes?
When comparing income protection insurance, consider the monthly benefit, premium, deferred period, claim period, policy end age, exclusions and how the insurer defines being unable to work. Comparing these features as well as price can help you find suitable cover for your needs.