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💷 Income Protection

Find the Right Income Protection at the Right Price

The average long-term illness keeps you off work for 28 weeks. Statutory Sick Pay is just £118.75 a week. Income protection replaces up to 70% of your salary.

  • Whole of market comparisons
  • Free & no obligation advice
  • Takes 60 seconds to compare
  • Rated 4.9★ online reviews
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Family protected by income protection insurance
Up to 70%
Salary replaced
28 weeks
Avg long-term absence
12,000+
Families protected
4.9★
Average adviser rating
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Find out what you'd pay in 60 seconds

Answer a few simple questions and compare income protection quotes from every major UK insurer, no pressure, no obligation.

Why Compare Income Protection with Lifecoverfor.com?

Your income is your most valuable asset, it pays your mortgage, your bills, and supports your family. Income protection ensures that money keeps coming in if illness or injury stops you from working.

We compare policies from every major UK insurer so you can find the right level of cover at the best price, whether you're employed, self-employed, or a contractor.

Replaces up to 70%

Of your salary if you can't work due to illness or injury.

Pays Until Recovery

Or retirement, long-term security for you and your family.

Whole-of-Market

Compare every major insurer to find the best deal for you.

Tax-Free Payments

Monthly payouts with no deductions when you pay your own premiums.

Types of Cover

Types of Income Protection

The right policy depends on your job, your budget, and how long you'd need cover if you couldn't work.

Long-Term Income Protection

Monthly income until you recover or retire. The most comprehensive cover.

Short-Term Income Protection

Covers you for 1–2 years per claim. Cheaper than long-term cover.

Income Protection for Self-Employed

No employer sick pay? Replaces your income if you can't work.

Mortgage Income Protection

Covers your mortgage payments if you can't work.

Own Occupation Cover

Pays out if you can't do your specific job, not just any job.

Income Protection for Professionals

Tailored for doctors, lawyers, and other professionals.

Expert Guides

Income Protection Guides

Everything you need to know about income protection, explained in plain English.

What Is Income Protection?

A complete beginner's guide

How Much Cover Do I Need?

Calculate the right amount

How Much Does It Cost?

UK pricing breakdown

IP vs Critical Illness

Key differences explained

Short-Term vs Long-Term

Which type suits you?

Self-Employed Cover

Freelancer & contractor options

IP for Mortgages

Protect your home payments

Waiting Periods

Deferred periods explained

Pre-Existing Conditions

Your options explained

Is IP Worth It?

Honest assessment
Real Reviews

What Our Customers Say

Mark R.
Mark R.
London • Marketing Manager
★★★★★
“Should have done this years ago”

As a self-employed plumber, I had zero safety net. Got income protection sorted in under a week. If I can't work, 70% of my income is covered. Absolute no-brainer.

Kate J.
Kate J.
Glasgow • Office Administrator
★★★★★
“The adviser found me a better deal”

I was paying too much for a basic policy through my bank. The adviser switched me to own occupation cover for less money. Much better protection and I'm saving £15 a month.

Andrew N.
Andrew N.
Norwich • Warehouse Supervisor
★★★★★
“Vital when I needed it”

I broke my back last year and couldn't work for 4 months. My income protection kicked in after the deferred period and covered my mortgage. Without it, we'd have been in serious trouble.

Emma L.
Emma L.
Birmingham • Recruitment Consultant
★★★★★
“Covered my mortgage when I couldn’t work”

I was diagnosed with a thyroid condition that left me unable to work for 5 months. My income protection paid £1,400 a month after the 8-week deferred period. It covered my mortgage and bills so I could focus on recovery.

Tom B.
Tom B.
Sheffield • Sales Director
★★★★★
“Worth every penny of the £28 a month”

I never thought I would need it, but a herniated disc put me out of action for 3 months. The policy paid out exactly as promised and I did not have to dip into savings. My family was completely protected throughout.

Claire D.
Claire D.
Edinburgh • Charity Worker
★★★★★
“Simple process, genuine peace of mind”

I earn £26,000 and was worried income protection would be out of reach. My adviser found a policy for £12 a month that covers 65% of my salary. The whole thing was sorted in 15 minutes over the phone.

Simple Process

How It Works

1

Tell us about yourself

Quick questions about your life and health. Done in 60 seconds.

2

You evaluate quotes

Compare benefits and cover from every major insurer.

3

You decide

Pick a policy yourself, or let one of our advisers help.

Find the Right Income Protection for You

Your income is your most valuable asset. Find cover tailored to your job and circumstances.

Self-Employed Contractors Teachers Nurses & NHS Doctors & Dentists Tradespeople Solicitors IT Workers Public Sector Part-Time Workers Over 50s Over 40s Young Professionals Parents Pregnancy Couples Mortgage Holders Mental Health Back Problems Pre-Existing Conditions
Got Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

Income protection insurance pays a monthly income if you can't work due to illness or injury. It typically replaces up to 60–70% of your gross salary and continues until you recover, reach retirement age, or your policy ends, depending on the type you choose.
Most policies cover between 50% and 70% of your gross annual income. The exact percentage depends on the insurer and your chosen level of cover. You can't insure 100% of your salary, as this would remove the incentive to return to work.
Short-term income protection pays out for 1–2 years per claim and is usually cheaper. Long-term income protection pays until you recover or retire, offering much more comprehensive cover. Your choice depends on your savings, employer sick pay, and budget.
The deferred period is the waiting time between stopping work and your first payment, typically 4, 8, 13, 26, or 52 weeks. A longer deferred period means lower premiums. Choose a deferred period that aligns with any employer sick pay you receive.
Yes, and it's arguably even more important if you're self-employed. Without employer sick pay, Statutory Sick Pay of just £118.75 a week is all you'd get. Income protection ensures you can still pay your bills if illness or injury stops you working.
Yes, most income protection policies cover mental health conditions including stress, anxiety, and depression. In fact, mental health is now one of the most common reasons for claims. However, some policies may have exclusions, so check the terms carefully.
If you rely on your salary to pay your mortgage, rent, or bills, then yes. 1 in 4 people will be off work with a serious illness at some point. Without income protection, you'd fall back on savings or Statutory Sick Pay, which wouldn't cover most people's basic expenses.
Income protection pays a regular monthly income if you can't work, for as long as you're unable to work. Critical illness cover pays a one-off lump sum if you're diagnosed with a specific serious condition. They protect against different risks and many people have both.
If you pay for income protection personally (not through your employer), the payouts are completely tax-free. If your employer pays the premiums, the benefit may be taxable as income. Personal policies offer the best tax treatment.
No, standard income protection only covers you if you can't work due to illness or injury. It does not cover redundancy or unemployment. For redundancy cover, you'd need a separate accident, sickness & unemployment (ASU) policy.

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12,000+ families protected • Rated 4.9★ online • Replaces up to 70% of salary