Income ProtectionKeep Your Income Steady
If illness or injury stops you working, income protection can pay you a regular income, subject to the policy terms. We’ll help you understand your options and compare suitable cover.
- Honest, straightforward advice
- Cover tailored to your needs
- No-obligation review
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What is income protection?
Income protection pays a regular monthly benefit to replace part of your earnings if you can’t work because of illness or injury, after a waiting period you choose.
Payments continue while you meet the policy’s definition of being unable to work, until you return to work or the payment period ends.
Not redundancy cover
Ordinary income protection generally doesn’t pay out if you’re made redundant or lose your job for reasons other than illness or injury.
Who income protection can help
Anyone who relies on their earnings may want to consider it.
Employed
Check what sick pay your employer provides and for how long, so your cover can start when it’s needed.
Self-employed
Without employer sick pay, income protection can be especially worth considering alongside your savings.
Shaping your policy
These choices affect how your cover works and what it costs.
Deferred period
How long you wait before payments start. A longer wait usually costs less.
Benefit amount
Insurers limit the benefit to a proportion of your earnings.
Payment period
Limited payments for each claim, or longer-term cover until the policy ends.
Incapacity definition
Whether you must be unable to do your own job, a similar job or any work.
Benefit limits, payment periods and definitions vary between insurers. We’ll explain how each option works.
Sick pay and savings
Before choosing a deferred period, it helps to know how long you could manage on any sick pay and savings.
Statutory Sick Pay, if you’re eligible, is limited, and employer sick pay varies. Matching your deferred period to when other support runs out can help keep costs down.
- Check your sick payWhat your employer pays, and for how long.
- Review your savingsHow many months they could cover.
- Choose your waiting timeSet the deferred period to fit.
Important limitations
Understanding these helps you choose the right cover.
Not redundancy
Ordinary income protection generally doesn’t cover job loss.
Terms and exclusions
Not every illness or injury will qualify. Claims depend on the policy terms.
Answer accurately
Incorrect or missing information when you apply could affect a claim.
How Bright Cover helps
Practical advice for employed and self-employed people.
Understanding your situation
We look at your work, sick pay and savings.
Explaining the options
Deferred periods, payment periods and definitions, made clear.
Comparing suitable cover
Options from UK insurers side by side, with no obligation.
Income protection FAQs
Answers to questions people often ask.
How much could income protection pay?
Insurers limit the benefit to a proportion of your earnings, and the limit varies. Other income you receive while unable to work may also be taken into account.
What is a deferred period?
It’s the time you must be unable to work before payments begin. You choose it when you take out the policy, and a longer period usually means a lower premium.
Does income protection cover redundancy?
Ordinary income protection generally doesn’t cover redundancy or unemployment. It’s designed for when illness or injury stops you working.
Can I get it if I’m self-employed?
Yes, many insurers offer income protection to self-employed people. How your earnings are assessed can differ, so we’ll explain what each insurer needs.
What’s the difference between limited and longer-term cover?
Limited cover pays for a set maximum period for each claim. Longer-term cover can keep paying until you return to work or the policy ends. Limited cover usually costs less.
How is it different from critical illness cover?
Income protection pays regular amounts while you can’t work. Critical illness cover usually pays one lump sum for a qualifying diagnosis.
Ready to talk through your options?
Request your free, no-obligation review and an adviser will be in touch.