Compare Income Protection Insurance
Get impartial quotes from leading UK insurers. Replace up to 70% of your income if illness or injury stops you working.
Income Protection Insurance from £2/month
- No-obligation quotesFree & fast
- Flexible waiting periods1–52 weeks
- All occupations
- Anyone can apply
How income protection works
Income protection replaces part of your salary when illness or injury keeps you off work. It’s a policy that pays a regular, tax-free income if you can’t work due to illness or injury. Most policies cover 50–70% of your earnings until you return to work or reach your chosen benefit end date.
Choose your cover
Pick how much of your income to protect, plus deferred period and benefit length.
Start the policy
Answer a few questions and activate the cover — no obligation until you apply.
Make a claim if you can’t work
If illness/injury keeps you off work longer than your deferred period, claim with medical evidence.
Receive monthly payments
Use the benefit for mortgage, rent, bills, childcare — until recovery or policy end.
Waiting period options
Choose a deferred period that matches your safety net.
4 weeks
Fast payout if you have little/no employer sick pay.
8 weeks
Balanced if you can bridge a short gap with savings.
13 weeks
Pairs well with generous employer/statutory sick pay schedules.
26 weeks
Keeps premiums lowest with long-term sick pay or savings.
52 weeks
Lowest premiums if you can rely on long-term sick pay or savings.
Who it’s for
Shape the policy around how you get paid.
Self-employed & contractors
- No employer sick pay — shorter deferred periods keep payments arriving quickly.
- Cover rent, mortgage, utilities, and client commitments while you recover.
- Long-term cover supports you if you need to retrain or step back.
Salaried employees
- Top up statutory/employer sick pay so your take-home stays steady.
- Protect bonuses, commission or overtime not covered by workplace schemes.
- Match benefit length to retirement age or a planned role change.
What affects the cost?
Premiums factor in your age, health, job risk, and configuration choices.
Age & health history
Younger applicants and clean medical histories usually pay less.
Occupation class
Desk-based roles are lower risk (cheaper) than manual/hazardous jobs.
Monthly benefit & benefit length
Insuring more income for longer increases cost.
Chosen waiting period
Shorter deferred periods cost more; longer waits lower the price.
Frequently asked questions
What is income protection insurance and how does it work?
It replaces part of your monthly income if illness or injury stops you working. You choose a monthly benefit and a waiting period. If you are signed off work after that waiting period, the policy pays you until you are back at work or you reach the chosen benefit length.
How much of my income can I protect?
Most UK insurers cover up to 70% of your gross monthly earnings. The exact cap varies by insurer and employment type.
How long will it pay out for?
Common benefit lengths are 1, 2, 5 years, or to a set age (e.g., 60 or 65). Shorter lengths usually cost less.
What waiting period should I choose?
Typical options are 4, 8, 13, 26 or 52 weeks.
- Shorter waits pay out sooner but cost more.
- Longer waits are cheaper and suit those with employer sick pay or savings.
Does income protection cover redundancy or unemployment?
No. Income protection covers illness and injury. Redundancy and unemployment require separate cover.
Can I get cover if I am self‑employed or a company director?
Yes, but insurers assess profits or salary + dividends. If you don’t get sick pay, consider a shorter wait.
Are pre‑existing medical conditions covered?
They can be — insurers may add terms/exclusions or adjust price after underwriting.
How are payouts taxed?
If you pay premiums personally, benefits are usually tax‑free. Employer‑paid premiums may make benefits taxable.
What affects the price?
Age, job, monthly benefit, waiting period, benefit length, smoker status and health history.
How do I make a claim and how fast is payment?
Contact the insurer when signed off by a medical professional. After the wait and approval, monthly payments begin.
Can I change or cancel my policy later?
Many policies allow changes to benefit/wait/length. You can also cancel if your needs change.