Income protection replaces a percentage of your salary — typically up to 70% — if you can't work due to illness or injury. It pays out monthly, just like a salary, until you're well enough to return to work, or until your chosen retirement age if needed.
Statutory sick pay is £116.75 per week. For most people, that doesn't cover a mortgage, bills, and everyday costs. Income protection fills that gap.
It's particularly important if you're self-employed, have dependants, or don't have significant savings to fall back on.
The deferred period is how long you have to be off work before the policy starts paying. Most people choose 4 weeks, 8 weeks, or 13 weeks — a longer deferred period means a lower premium. If your employer pays full sick pay for 3 months, choosing a 13-week deferred period makes sense.
"Own occupation" pays out if you can't do your specific job. "Any occupation" only pays if you can't work at all. Own occupation is better cover — and what we'd typically recommend. We'll check which definition a policy uses before recommending it.
If you're self-employed, income protection is arguably the most important cover you can have. There's no employer sick pay to fall back on, and statutory sick pay is minimal. One period of serious illness could genuinely threaten your business and your home.