Income protection pays a monthly benefit — typically 50–70% of your gross income — if you're unable to work due to illness or injury. It continues paying until you return to work, reach retirement age, or the policy ends. We'll match you with a specialist adviser who finds the right cover for your situation.
Who needs income protection?
If you rely on your income to pay bills, support your family, or meet financial commitments — you need income protection. It's especially important if you're self-employed or a contractor with no employer sick pay, the main earner in your household, a parent with dependants relying on your income, or in a physically demanding or high-stress occupation.
How income protection works
You choose how much of your income to protect (typically up to 60–70% of gross earnings), how long to wait before payments start (the deferred period), and how long payments continue. If you become unable to work due to any covered illness or injury, monthly payments begin after the deferred period and continue for as long as you're unable to work.
Types of income protection
- Long-term income protection — the gold standard. Pays out until you recover, retire or the policy ends. Covers virtually any illness or injury.
- Short-term income protection — pays out for a limited period (typically 1–2 years). More affordable but less comprehensive.
- Accident, sickness and unemployment (ASU) — basic cover that also includes redundancy. Shorter payout periods and more exclusions.
What you might need to hand
- Details of your employment and income
- Any existing sick pay entitlements
- Your monthly financial commitments
- Details of any existing protection policies
- Information about health conditions