Protection

Income Protection Guide

How income protection works and the decisions involved in choosing cover.

6 min readUpdated

Replacing part of your income

Income protection is designed to pay a regular benefit when illness or injury prevents you from working, subject to the policy definition and claim assessment.

The choices that affect cover

The deferred period determines how long you wait before payments begin. The benefit period, occupation definition and maximum benefit all materially affect what the policy can provide.

  • Match the deferred period to sick pay and savings
  • Understand how your occupation is defined
  • Check whether benefits can increase with inflation

Review rather than set and forget

Changes to earnings, employment benefits or occupation can affect whether the cover remains suitable. Tell the insurer about changes when the policy terms require it.