Income protection.
Your own personal sick pay. Pays a monthly income if you cannot work due to illness or injury, from a chosen waiting period (typically one to twelve months) right through until you go back to work or reach retirement. Essential for the self-employed, and just as important for the employed whose employer sick pay eventually runs out.
Your own personal sick pay.
Think of income protection as your own personal sick pay scheme, one that keeps paying long after your employer’s runs out. If you cannot work due to illness or injury, the policy pays you a monthly, tax-free income from the end of a waiting period you choose at outset (typically one, three, six or twelve months) and keeps paying either until you go back to work or, if needed, until you reach retirement age.
If you could not work tomorrow, how long could your household run on savings and statutory sick pay alone? For most families the honest answer is a matter of weeks. Income protection is the product that quietly does the most heavy lifting, and by far the most neglected.
- Own occupation cover, The policy pays out if you cannot do your own specific job. Cheaper policies define this more loosely (any occupation).
- Deferred period 1, 3, 6, 12 months, The waiting period before payments start. Longer defer = cheaper premium.
- Long-term or short-term, Long-term policies pay until retirement. Short-term policies cap the payout at 2 or 5 years.
- Index-linked benefit, The monthly payment can rise with inflation each year.
- Recovery in claim, Modern policies pay a proportional benefit if you go back to work in a reduced role.
Three steps. One person. No jargon.
The same process for every income protection enquiry, whether it is your first mortgage or your fifth.
The household conversation
We start with who depends on your income and what your household commitments look like, before we look at any policy.
Compare the small print
We compare exclusions, definitions, and premiums across the market. Cheaper is not always better on protection.
Written recommendation
You get a plain-English report explaining what we recommend, what it covers, what it does not, and what it will cost.
What you will pay.
We do not charge you a fee for protection advice. We are paid a commission by the product provider, which is included in the premium and disclosed to you in writing before you commit to anything.
Our recommendation is based on what is right for your household, not on which provider pays the most commission.
Questions we get about income protection.
01How much income can I insure?+
Typically 50% to 65% of your gross earned income. The policy is designed to replace income, not enhance it, so lenders will not let you over-insure.
02When do payments start?+
After a "deferred period" you choose at the start, usually 4, 8, 13, 26 or 52 weeks. A longer deferred period means a cheaper premium. If your employer pays you full sick pay for six months, a 26-week deferred period makes sense.
03Does it pay out for mental health issues?+
Modern policies do, subject to underwriting at outset. Mental health claims are one of the most common categories of income protection claims.
04How is this different from critical illness cover?+
Critical illness pays a lump sum on diagnosis of a specific listed illness. Income protection pays a monthly income if you cannot work for any medical reason. Most claims on income protection are for musculoskeletal issues and mental health, which are typically not covered under critical illness.
Where clients typically go next.
Life happens.
Let’s take care of it together.
Book a call with the A&L team. Every case is dealt with by one broker from start to finish. Evenings and weekends available. No forms up front, no pressure.