Let’s get into the nitty gritty, shall we?
Here’s a scary thought what happens to your income if you break your leg tomorrow and can’t work for three months? If you’re self-employed, the answer is probably “absolutely nothing comes in.”
Unlike employed workers who get statutory sick pay, self-employed people have zero automatic income protection. Miss work due to injury or illness, and your earnings stop immediately while your bills keep coming. Living costs such as rent, utilities, and food don’t pause just because your income does, making it crucial to have a safety net in place. When considering income protection insurance, it’s important to start by calculating your current home pay (take-home pay), since this is the amount you rely on to cover your living costs.
I’ve seen self-employed clients forced to use all their savings, max out credit cards, or even lose their businesses because of unexpected injuries. Income protection insurance exists specifically to prevent this nightmare scenario, but most freelancers don’t have it.
What Is Income Protection Insurance for Self-Employed People?
Income protection insurance works by providing financial support in the form of a regular monthly income if you can’t work due to illness or injury. It’s essentially sick pay insurance for people who don’t get statutory sick pay through employment.
The policy pays a regular income, typically as a fixed amount each month, replacing a percentage of your usual income usually 50-70% of your average earnings until you can return to work or until the policy term ends. This regular income is paid as monthly payments, offering certainty and stability for as long as your condition prevents you from working.
The insurance policy is a legal contract that guarantees these monthly payments, ensuring you receive a fixed amount on a predictable schedule. You pay monthly premiums, and in return, the insurance company promises to cover your income if you become unable to work.
It’s different from life insurance (which only pays out if you die) or critical illness cover (which pays a lump sum for specific diagnoses). Income protection focuses specifically on replacing lost earnings during periods when you physically can’t do your job.
Having income protection insurance strengthens your financial resilience by ensuring you can meet essential expenses and maintain stability even during periods of ill health.
How Income Protection Actually Works in Practice
When you take out income protection, you choose several key factors that affect both the cost and how the policy works. Understanding these choices is crucial to getting the right cover.
The deferred period: This is how long you wait after becoming unable to work before payments start this waiting period is also called your chosen deferred period. Common options are 4 weeks, 13 weeks, or 26 weeks. A longer waiting period or deferred period results in a cheaper premium or lower premiums, but means you wait longer before receiving benefits.
The benefit amount: This is usually 50-70% of your pre-tax annual income. Insurers cap the cover amount to discourage people from staying off work longer than necessary. You need to prove your income through tax returns or accounts.
The benefit period: How long payments continue if you remain unable to work. Options range from 1-5 years, up to retirement age, or even lifetime cover. Longer benefit periods cost more but provide better protection.
Definition of incapacity: This is crucial - policies define “unable to work” differently. Some cover you if you can’t do your specific job, others only if you can’t do any job at all. When it comes to occupation, insurers may assess the same job differently, and office workers typically pay less than those in higher-risk roles because insurers evaluate each job differently.
I always tell clients the definition of incapacity matters more than price. A cheap policy that only pays if you literally can’t do any work whatsoever isn’t much use to a carpenter who breaks their wrist. To receive payments, you must meet the policy's criteria for a valid claim.
What Income Protection Insurance Covers
Income protection covers a wide range of health issues that prevent you from working, but the specifics vary significantly between policies. Understanding what’s covered helps you choose appropriate protection.
Typically covered:
- Physical injuries preventing work (broken bones, back injuries, etc.)
- Serious illnesses requiring extended recovery
- Ill health that results in an inability to work
- Mental health conditions affecting work capability
- Chronic conditions that develop over time
- Recurring conditions that flare up periodically
Income protection insurance cover can also help with extra expenses that arise during illness, such as the need for medical equipment or home adjustments.
Often excluded or limited:
- Pre-existing conditions you had before taking the policy
- Self-inflicted injuries or injuries from criminal activity
- Pregnancy-related absence (though some policies include this)
- Stress-related absence in the first 12 months
- Specific exclusions based on your medical history
- Standard income protection insurance cover may not include all types of extra expenses unless specified
The mental health coverage has improved dramatically in recent years. Modern policies often cover stress, anxiety, and depression, though usually with waiting periods and specific criteria.
Typical Costs for Self-Employed Income Protection
Cost varies enormously based on your age, health, occupation, chosen benefit amount, and policy terms. There’s no “typical” price, but understanding the factors helps you estimate costs.
Key cost factors:
- Age: Older applicants pay significantly more
- Occupation: Manual workers pay more than desk-based workers, but some insurers may offer lower premiums depending on your job category
- Smoker status: Smoking can double premiums
- Health conditions: Pre-existing issues increase costs or cause exclusions
- Benefit amount: Higher income replacement costs more
- Deferred period: Choosing a longer deferred period usually results in a cheaper premium or lower premiums
A 30-year-old freelance graphic designer earning £30,000 might pay £20-40 monthly for cover providing £1,250 monthly benefit after a 13-week wait. A 45-year-old self-employed builder earning the same might pay £80-120 monthly.
The costs feel high when you’re healthy and working, but consider the alternative - three months off work without income could cost you £7,500+ in lost earnings. To find the best combination of coverage and price, always compare income protection insurance policies before making a decision.
Own Occupation vs Any Occupation Cover
This distinction is absolutely critical and often glosses over by insurance salespeople. It fundamentally changes when policies pay out and how useful they actually are.
Own occupation cover: Pays out if you can’t do your specific job, even if you could theoretically do other work. A pianist with hand injuries gets paid even though they could work in a call centre. Different insurers may assess the same job differently, so your eligibility and premium can vary depending on how your occupation is classified.
Any occupation cover: Only pays if you can’t do any job suited to your education and experience. Much harder to claim successfully because insurers can argue you could do alternative work.
Own occupation costs more but provides genuine protection. Any occupation policies are cheaper but might not pay when you actually need them.
I’ve seen devastating cases where builders with back injuries couldn’t claim on “any occupation” policies because insurers argued they could do office work instead, despite having no office skills or experience.
Insurers generally consider office workers, such as accountants, to be lower risk compared to higher-risk jobs like builders or mechanics, which leads to different coverage options and costs. Insurers may assess your job differently, so two people in the same job could face different premiums or eligibility depending on the provider.
When Income Protection Policies Actually Pay Out
Understanding the claims process and when policies pay helps you assess whether coverage is worth having. Income protection claims require careful documentation and must meet the criteria for a valid claim. Not all claims succeed, and the process can be surprisingly complex. Always review your policy documents and insurance policies to fully understand the terms, exclusions, and claim process.
Successful claim requirements:
- Medical evidence proving you can’t work
- Claims made during the policy term (not after it ends)
- Condition not excluded by pre-existing condition clauses
- Meeting the policy’s specific definition of incapacity for a valid claim
- Providing regular updates and medical evidence during income protection claims
Claims typically start with your GP providing evidence, then potentially independent medical examinations arranged by the insurer. The more comprehensive your medical evidence, the smoother the claims process.
Insurance policies usually require you to be under active medical treatment. You can’t just decide you’re too unwell to work - you need ongoing medical supervision and treatment for your condition.
The definition of being “unable to work” usually means unable to do the key duties of your occupation for the substantial majority of your normal working time. Minor limitations that don’t significantly affect your work might not qualify.
Alternatives to Traditional Income Protection
Income protection isn’t the only way to protect yourself financially. Some alternatives might suit your circumstances better, particularly if full income protection seems too expensive.
Accident-only income protection: Cheaper policies covering only accidents, not illnesses. Useful if you’re young and healthy but work in physical roles with injury risks.
Critical illness insurance: Pays a lump sum if you are diagnosed with certain serious illnesses listed in the policy. It doesn’t replace ongoing income but provides a financial buffer for major health events.
Term life insurance: Provides a lump sum to your beneficiaries if you die within the policy term, helping them cover expenses like bills, debts, and mortgage repayments.
Payment protection insurance (PPI): Designed to cover your monthly loan, credit card, or mortgage repayments if you are unable to work due to illness, accident, or unemployment.
Fracture cover: An optional add-on that pays out if you suffer a fracture or certain injuries, sometimes including benefits like physiotherapy sessions.
Savings and emergency funds: Building 3-6 months of expenses in savings provides self-insurance. Flexible but requires discipline and might not cover long-term issues.
Short-term income protection: Policies with maximum benefit periods of 1-2 years cost less than full protection to retirement age.
State benefits: Government support may be available during periods of illness or disability, and should be considered when calculating your overall financial protection needs.
Many self-employed people combine approaches - perhaps 3 months of savings to cover the initial period, then income protection kicking in for longer-term issues.
How to Choose the Right Income Protection Policy
Choosing appropriate coverage involves balancing comprehensive protection against affordable premiums. When selecting an income protection plan, it’s important to understand what your income protection insurance cover includes and excludes. Getting this balance right makes the difference between useful insurance and wasted money.
Key decision points:
- Set deferred period to match your savings buffer
- Choose a cover amount based on your essential expenses, not your full income
- Consider whether you need protection to retirement or just for working years
- Prioritise own occupation definition over cheaper alternatives
- Look for policies including rehabilitation support
The right policy for you will depend on your personal circumstances, such as your financial commitments, health, and employment situation. Consulting a financial adviser can help you compare policies and make informed decisions about the most suitable income protection insurance cover for your needs.
Don’t just compare prices - the cheapest policy is often cheap because it won’t pay out when you need it. Focus on the policy terms, exclusions, and definition of incapacity first, then compare costs among suitable policies.
Many policies now include additional support like rehabilitation services, back-to-work programmes, or counselling, often at no extra cost. These extras can be valuable in helping you return to work sooner.
For comprehensive guidance on managing your self-employed finances and planning for potential interruptions, our detailed guide covers essential financial management strategies.
Common Mistakes When Buying Income Protection
I’ve seen self-employed people make predictable mistakes when choosing income protection, often realising the problems only when trying to claim. Avoiding these errors ensures you get useful coverage.
Common mistakes:
- Underestimating income to get cheaper premiums (then not being covered for actual earnings)
- Choosing “any occupation” definitions to save money
- Setting deferred periods too long to afford premiums
- Not disclosing pre-existing conditions (invalidates the entire policy)
- Failing to disclose your family's medical history, which can affect eligibility and claims
- Not disclosing dangerous hobbies, which can lead to claim denials or increased premiums
- Choosing benefit periods too short to cover serious conditions
The non-disclosure issue is particularly serious. Failing to mention health conditions, your family's medical history, or dangerous hobbies when applying means insurers can refuse claims and cancel policies, leaving you with nothing despite years of premium payments.
Being completely honest during application might increase premiums or create exclusions, but it’s infinitely better than having claims rejected when you desperately need the money. Always remember, your insurance policy is a legal contract that governs your coverage and claim eligibility.
Tax Treatment of Income Protection Premiums and Payments
Understanding the tax position helps you calculate the true cost and value of income protection. The rules differ depending on how you structure the payments.
Premiums paid: Generally not tax-deductible for self-employed people. You pay premiums from post-tax income, which increases the effective cost.
Benefits received: If you paid premiums personally, benefits are usually tax-free. If your business paid premiums as an allowable expense, benefits are taxable as income.
Most self-employed people pay premiums personally to keep benefits tax-free. Receiving £1,500 monthly tax-free is more valuable than £1,500 taxable income.
The tax treatment can be complex if you have a limited company structure. Professional advice often helps optimise the arrangement for your specific circumstances.
Final Thoughts
Income protection insurance provides crucial safety net protection for self-employed people who don't get sick pay. While premiums feel expensive when healthy, the financial protection during illness or injury can literally save your business and home.
The key is choosing appropriate coverage with own occupation definitions and realistic benefit periods. Don't just buy the cheapest policy - focus on coverage that will actually pay out when you need it. Our free self-assessment app helps you track your business finances and plan for all scenarios, including periods when you might not be able to work.
