Compare income protection quotes and protect your income

How do I compare income protection quotes?

Finding the right income protection starts with understanding your situation and comparing options from across the market. Here is how it works with Money Saving Advisors.

1. Tell us about your situation: Are you employed, self-employed, or contracting? Do you have employer sick pay? Your circumstances determine what type and level of cover makes sense.
2. We match you with an advisor: You will speak with a qualified protection advisor who searches across multiple insurers to find the right policy for your needs and budget.
3. Your advisor compares the market: Rather than going to a single insurer, your advisor compares quotes from leading UK providers, factoring in your occupation, health, and how much cover you need.
4. Review your options: Your advisor presents the best policies side by side, explaining the differences in deferred periods, benefit amounts, and total cost so you can choose with confidence.
5. Apply with support: Once you have chosen a policy, your advisor handles the application, helps with any medical or financial questions, and keeps you updated until your cover is in place.

Comparing directly with a single insurer means you only see their products. Working with a whole-of-market advisor means you see the full picture, including specialist policies for higher-risk occupations and pre-existing conditions. There is no cost for the advice, and no obligation to proceed.

What kind of income protection do I need?

The right income protection depends on your employment status, existing benefits, and how long you could manage without your full income. Here are the most common situations.

I am employed with limited sick pay

If your employer only offers Statutory Sick Pay (£116.75 per week in 2026/27) or a short period of full pay, income protection fills the gap between what you receive and what you need to cover your bills. Long-term income protection is usually the best fit because it pays out until you recover or retire. Check what your employer provides before you apply, as you may need less cover than you think. Read more about whether you need income protection.

I am self-employed

If you are self-employed, you have no employer sick pay at all. Statutory Sick Pay does not apply to sole traders, and Universal Credit takes weeks to process and may not cover your commitments. Income protection for the self-employed is often the only safety net that replaces your actual earnings if illness or injury stops you working.

I am a contractor

Contractors face a unique gap: you may earn well but have no employer benefits. If you work through a limited company, your income structure (salary plus dividends) affects how much cover you can get and how it is underwritten. Income protection for contractors covers both inside and outside IR35 scenarios.

I work for the NHS or public sector

NHS staff get up to 6 months full pay and 6 months half pay through the NHS Pension Scheme sick pay provisions. That sounds generous, but half pay for 6 months can still leave a significant shortfall, especially with a mortgage. Income protection for NHS workers explains how to top up your existing benefits without paying for cover you already have.

Not sure which type suits your situation? Our guide on whether you need income protection insurance walks through the key questions.

What types of income protection insurance are there?

There are several types of income protection available in the UK. The right one depends on how long you need cover, your budget, and whether you want to arrange it yourself or get it through your employer.

Long-term income protection is the most comprehensive option. It covers any illness or injury that prevents you from working, pays out for as long as you need (potentially decades), and the benefit amount is guaranteed. It costs more than short-term cover but provides significantly stronger protection.

Short-term income protection costs less but only pays for a limited period, typically 1 to 2 years per claim. It can be a good option if you mainly want cover for the gap between your employer sick pay running out and being able to return to work. Some short-term policies also cover redundancy, which long-term policies do not.

Group income protection through your employer can be excellent value because the employer typically pays most or all of the premium. However, you lose the cover if you leave the company. Check what your employer offers before buying a personal policy. See our full guide on types of income protection insurance.

How much does income protection insurance cost?

Income protection premiums depend on your age, occupation, health, the benefit amount, and the deferred period you choose. Higher-risk occupations (manual work, construction, healthcare) pay more than office-based roles. Here are example monthly premiums for a £1,500 per month benefit with a 4-week deferred period.

Example premiums for a healthy non-smoker, £1,500/month benefit, 4-week deferred period, paying to age 65. Actual quotes vary by insurer, health history, and specific occupation. Correct as of July 2026.

What affects the price?

• Occupation class: Insurers group jobs into risk classes. Office workers pay the least. Manual workers, healthcare staff, and those in hazardous environments pay more because they are statistically more likely to claim.
• Deferred period: This is how long you wait after stopping work before payments begin. Longer deferred periods (8 weeks, 13 weeks, 26 weeks) reduce premiums significantly. Match it to your employer sick pay or savings runway.
• Benefit amount: Most insurers cap benefits at 50 to 70% of your gross income. Higher benefit amounts cost more.
• Smoking status: Smokers typically pay 30 to 50% more than non-smokers.
• Health conditions: Pre-existing conditions may increase premiums or lead to exclusions for specific conditions.
• Policy term: Cover to age 65 costs more than cover to age 55 because the insurer is on risk for longer.
• Payment guarantee: Guaranteed premiums (locked in for the policy term) cost more upfront than reviewable premiums, which can increase over time.

For a detailed breakdown, see our full guide on income protection costs.

What does income protection cover and what does it not cover?

Income protection is broader than most people expect, but it has important exclusions. Understanding both before you buy helps avoid surprises at claim time.

Mental health claims have become one of the most common reasons people claim on income protection. According to the Association of British Insurers, mental health conditions account for a growing share of income protection claims each year. Most quality policies cover them without specific exclusions, though some budget policies may limit mental health payouts.

How occupation definitions affect your cover

One of the most important but least understood factors is how your policy defines "unable to work." There are three common definitions:

• Own occupation: You cannot do your specific job. This is the strongest definition and the one to aim for. If you are a surgeon who injures your hand, you would qualify even if you could do other work.
• Suited occupation: You cannot do any job suited to your skills and experience. Weaker than own occupation but still reasonable.
• Any occupation: You cannot do any job at all. This is the weakest definition and hardest to claim on. Avoid it if possible.

Always check which definition your policy uses. The cheapest quote may use "any occupation," which could mean you cannot claim even though you are unable to do your actual job. Read more about how income protection insurance works.

Can I get income protection with pre-existing conditions?

Yes. Having a pre-existing condition does not automatically prevent you from getting income protection, but it does affect how your policy is underwritten and what it covers.

Moratorium underwriting

Some insurers use moratorium underwriting, which automatically excludes any condition you have had symptoms of, been treated for, or consulted a doctor about in the last 5 years. The advantage is a faster application with fewer questions. The disadvantage is that you may not realise a condition is excluded until you try to claim.

Full medical underwriting

With full medical underwriting, you disclose your complete health history at application. The insurer then makes a specific decision on each condition: cover it normally, cover it with a higher premium, exclude that specific condition, or decline. This approach takes longer but gives you certainty about what is and is not covered from day one.

Common conditions and how insurers treat them

• Depression and anxiety: Covered by most insurers, often with a higher premium or a specific exclusion period. Past episodes that have resolved are treated more favourably.
• Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes is usually insurable with a loading. Type 1 may face higher premiums or exclusions depending on management.
• Back problems: One of the most claimed-for conditions. Insurers typically cover it but may exclude pre-existing spinal conditions.
• Asthma: Usually covered without issues if well-managed.

Non-disclosure is the leading cause of declined claims. Always disclose everything, even conditions you think are minor. A whole-of-market advisor can find insurers who are more favourable toward your specific condition. Read our full guide on income protection with pre-existing conditions.

How does income protection compare to other types of cover?

Income protection is often confused with critical illness cover, payment protection insurance (PPI), and life insurance. They protect against different risks and work in different ways. Here is how they compare.

Income protection vs critical illness: Critical illness cover only pays out for conditions on a specific list, and it pays a single lump sum. Income protection pays for any condition that stops you working, and it pays a regular income for as long as you are unable to work. If you broke your leg badly and could not work for 6 months, income protection would pay out but critical illness cover would not. See our detailed income protection vs critical illness comparison.

Income protection vs PPI: PPI was widely mis-sold and has a poor reputation, but it is a different product from income protection. PPI covers specific debt repayments for a short period. Income protection covers your income regardless of what you spend it on. Read more about how income protection differs from PPI.

Combining products: Many people have income protection alongside life insurance and sometimes critical illness cover. Income protection covers you while you are alive but unable to work. Life insurance covers your family if you die. They protect against different risks and work well together.