FREE expert help & advice 0800 083 2829

Contact our specialist team for FREE expert help & advice 0800 083 2829

Income Protection

Protect the financial security of your loved ones after your passing when you find the perfect life insurance policy for you with The Insurance Surgery.

Income Protection Insurance, including products like Guaranteed Sick Pay, provides financial security by replacing a portion of your income if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury. It ensures you can cover essential expenses, maintain your lifestyle, and support your family during challenging times. Policies pay out tax-free monthly benefits until you return to work, retire, or the policy term ends.

At The Insurance Surgery, we specialise in securing tailored income protection for clients, including those with pre-existing medical conditions or high-risk occupations. Our expert team compares policies from leading UK providers to find the best cover, even for complex cases, ensuring peace of mind.

Why Choose Income Protection?

Income protection acts as a safety net, replacing up to 70% of your income if illness or injury prevents you from working. Unlike Statutory Sick Pay (£118.75/week, limited to 28 weeks), it offers long-term or short-term support tailored to your needs.

Key Features:

Income Cover: Up to 70% of your salary.
Flexible Duration: Short-term (1-5 years) or long-term (until retirement).
Customisable Start: Payments can begin from day 1 of your work absence or after a ‘deferment’ period (3 days to 12 months).
Comprehensive Cover: Includes physical illness, mental health conditions, and accidents.
Tax-Free Benefits: Payments are typically tax-free when premiums are paid personally.
Simplified Options: Some policies, like Guaranteed Sick Pay, require minimal or no medical underwriting.

Income Protection vs Statutory Sick Pay

Feature	*Income Protection (Guaranteed Sick Pay***)	Statutory Sick Pay
Payment Amount	Up to 70% of income	£118.75/week fixed
Duration	Until retirement (long-term) or 1-5 years (short-term)	Maximum 28 weeks
Start Date	From day 1 or after chosen deferred period	After 3 days
Medical Requirements	Simplified or none for some policies	None
Exclusions	Minimal, with clear terms	Very few
Premium	Fixed or reviewable options	Free (employer-funded)
Self-Employed	Available	Not available

Who Needs Income Protection?

Income protection is essential if you rely on your income to cover key expenses and lack alternative financial support, such as savings. It’s particularly valuable for:

Self-Employed Individuals: No access to employer sick pay.

High Earners: Statutory Sick Pay is insufficient to maintain lifestyle.

Mortgage or Rent Payers: Ensures housing payments during illness.

Family Breadwinners: Protects dependents’ finances.

Those Without Savings: Covers costs without dipping into reserves.

High-Risk Occupations: Cover for dangerous jobs (e.g., construction, offshore work).

How The Insurance Surgery Helps

At The Insurance Surgery, we can help everyone. We also specialise in non-standard cases, ensuring clients with medical conditions or high-risk jobs get the cover they need.

Our Expertise:

Personalised Service: Free, no-obligation reviews, comparing quotes from major UK providers and specialists to match your needs.
Medical Conditions: We secure policies for clients with diabetes, heart conditions, cancer history, or mental health issues, often with minimal exclusions. Our team has helped thousands previously declined by standard insurers.
Dangerous Occupations: For roles like electricians, scaffolders, or tree surgeons, we find providers offering fair terms without excessive premiums.
Case Studies: We’ve helped clients like construction workers secure cover despite working at heights and individuals with chronic illnesses obtain policies without medical exams.

What Does Income Protection Cover?

Income protection covers any illness or injury preventing you from working, including:

Long-term illnesses (e.g., cancer, heart disease).

Mental health conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety).

Injuries from accidents (at home or work).

Workplace redundancy

Payments can be used flexibly to cover:

Mortgage or rent (£723/month average in the UK).
Household bills (£340/month average).
Childcare (£550+/month for part-time nursery).
Food shopping (£388/month average).
Debt repayments (£2.1 billion UK credit card debt in 2020).
Transport costs (£94/month average).
Other essential expenses.

Exclusions:

Some pre-existing conditions may be excluded – A specialist broker like The Insurance Surgery can assess your medical history to determine if your condition(s) can be covered or if exclusions apply.
Self-inflicted injuries or issues from drug/alcohol abuse.

Do You Need Life Insurance?

If you’re the primary breadwinner or share financial responsibilities, a life insurance policy can help your family maintain their standard of living in the unfortunate event that you’re no longer around to support them.

Life Cover Terminology

Understanding life insurance terminology is essential for policyholders to make informed decisions about their cover, we have broken down the meaning for some of the most used terms.

Why Choose The Insurance Surgery?

Rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot.

We take pride in the experience that we offer, guaranteeing excellent service at all times.

25 years Experience.

With 25 years of specialist life and protection experience, we can find the perfect policy for you.

Access to a range of insurers.

With a broad selection of partners, we are well-equipped to find the best insurance deals for you.

Award-winning broker.

Known for making insurance simple, The Insurance Surgery is a trusted, award-winning broker.

How Much Income Protection Cover Do I Need?

Use the table below to estimate the amount of income protection insurance you need to cover essential expenses if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury. Add up the monthly costs that apply to your situation to determine your ideal cover level.

Income protection typically covers up to 70% of your income, so ensure your total aligns with your earnings.

For a clearer idea of the average cost of life insurance, visit our Guide.

Life insurance cost, case study.

James is looking for life insurance to cover his mortgage and to give a lump sum to his wife and two children. James had a stroke ten years ago but doesn’t suffer from any symptoms.

We found James the increasing policy below:

Total Cover
Amount:

£750,000

Monthly Premium
Cost:

£41.57

Duration of
Policy:

Until age 70

Speak to our team of experts for FREE
specialist advice today.

Monday to Thursday:

9:00am – 8:00pm

Friday:

9:00am – 3:00pm

Facts About Life Insurance.

Life insurance can serve multiple purposes, including income replacement, wealth transfer, estate planning, and business succession. But how does life insurance shape up with the UK population?

7.5 million families

in the UK have no life insurance or critical illness cover.

£40,000

The average life insurance policy in the UK covers only about £40,000.

28%

of UK adults believe life insurance is too expensive.

96.9%

of all protection case claims were paid in 2024

What Are the Different Types of Life Insurance Policies?

A term life insurance policy...

Term life insurance policy covers a specified duration, such as 10, 20, or 30 years. Should the insured individual pass away during this period, the policy pays a lump sum to their designated beneficiaries.

Whole-of-Life Insurance.

Whole-of-life insurance covers a person’s entire lifespan, provided premiums are consistently paid. It delivers a lump sum to beneficiaries upon the insured’s death.

Over 50s Life Insurance.

Over 50s life insurance guarantees acceptance without a medical report. With lower cover amounts and fixed premiums, it is used to cover funeral costs or leave a modest inheritance.

How different policies payout over time.

Benefit from Our Life Insurance Policies Today.

Relax, knowing that your family can receive the financial support that they need after you pass, and trust The Insurance Surgery to guide you through the life insurance process. With 25 years behind us, we are a trusted broker known for our expertise, prioritising transparency, and providing excellent customer service. So, rely on us to ensure you receive the cover you need at a fair and affordable price.

For a life insurance quote, contact us today on 0800 083 2829 to schedule a free consultation and take the first step towards protecting yourself and your loved ones financially.

Understanding Inheritance Tax (IHT) and Life Insurance

Understanding how IHT works and the ways to mitigate its impact can help you plan and ensure that your loved ones don’t face unexpected tax bills.

Price Promise.

Obtain a cheaper quote elsewhere, we’ll beat
the price and also give you a £50 gift card!*

We are committed to offering unbeatable prices. Our
Price Promise ensures that we will find you the right
cover for your circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is guaranteed sick pay insurance?

It’s a form of income protection insurance that guarantees you receive a monthly income if you’re off work due to illness or injury. It supplements or replaces SSP and employer sick pay.

Can I get sick pay if I’m self-employed in the UK?

Yes! You won’t qualify for SSP, but you can get cover through income protection insurance. We’ll help you choose a policy and guide you through proving your income with accounts or tax returns.

How much of my income can I cover?

Up to 70% of your pre-tax income can be insured, paid to you tax-free while you’re off work.

Is income protection the same as critical illness cover?

No. Critical illness cover pays a lump sum for specific serious conditions. Income protection pays a regular income for any illness or injury that prevents you from working (not limited to a list of illnesses).

Can I claim more than once?

Yes. You can make multiple claims over the life of your policy as long as you meet the eligibility criteria.

Does this cover redundancy?

No. Income protection insurance covers illness and injury—not unemployment. However, we can advise you on additional cover options for job loss protection.

Life insurance is unique – just like you.

Life Insurance for Parents

Life Insurance for Dads

Life Insurance for Sports & Hobbies

Life Insurance for Self-Employed

Income Protection

Life Insurance for Smokers

For More Information, Check Out Our Latest Blogs

Stay informed with the latest updates in the insurance industry for 2025 here.

We aim to provide clear advice, breaking down the jargon, so you understand the importance of protection insurance.

Family

By Policy

Helpful Information

Life and Health Insurance for Business

Specialised Business Insurance

Helpful Information

Income Protection

Why Choose Income Protection?

Income Protection vs Statutory Sick Pay

Who Needs Income Protection?

How The Insurance Surgery Helps

What Does Income Protection Cover?

Life Cover Terminology

Why Choose The Insurance Surgery?

Rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot.

25 years Experience.

Access to a range of insurers.

Award-winning broker.

How Much Income Protection Cover Do I Need?

For a clearer idea of the average cost of life insurance, visit our Guide.

Life insurance cost, case study.

Total Cover Amount:

£750,000

Monthly Premium Cost:

£41.57

Duration of Policy:

Until age 70

Speak to our team of experts for FREE specialist advice today.

Monday to Thursday:

Friday:

Facts About Life Insurance.

7.5 million families

in the UK have no life insurance or critical illness cover.

£40,000

The average life insurance policy in the UK covers only about £40,000.

28%

of UK adults believe life insurance is too expensive.

96.9%

of all protection case claims were paid in 2024

What Are the Different Types of Life Insurance Policies?

A term life insurance policy...

Whole-of-Life Insurance.

Over 50s Life Insurance.

How different policies payout over time.

Benefit from Our Life Insurance Policies Today.

Price Promise.

Obtain a cheaper quote elsewhere, we’ll beatthe price and also give you a £50 gift card!*

Frequently Asked Questions

Life insurance is unique – just like you.

Life Insurance for Parents

Life Insurance for Dads

Life Insurance for Sports & Hobbies​

Life Insurance for Self-Employed

Income Protection

Life Insurance for Smokers

For More Information, Check Out Our Latest Blogs

Monday to Thursday:

Friday:

Total Cover
Amount:

Monthly Premium
Cost:

Duration of
Policy:

Speak to our team of experts for FREE
specialist advice today.

Obtain a cheaper quote elsewhere, we’ll beat
the price and also give you a £50 gift card!*

Life Insurance for Sports & Hobbies