Call 03301 334 199 or Whatsapp us 07950545264 hello@abc-mortgages.co.uk
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Call 03301 334 199 or Whatsapp us 07950545264 hello@abc-mortgages.co.uk
At ABC Mortgages, we provide income protection insurance to clients throughout Kent and further afield. We’ll take the time to understand your income, existing protection, employment circumstances and financial commitments before helping you explore suitable protection options.
Should you fail to disclose or misrepresent a fact, then you risk the insurer only paying part of a claim, declining to pay all the claim and possibly, declaring the policy invalid.
Last Updated: 7th September 2026
Income protection insurance can provide a regular income if illness or injury leaves you unable to work, helping you continue meeting everyday financial commitments while your earnings are reduced. If your household relies on your salary to cover the mortgage, bills and other regular expenses, an extended period away from work could have a significant financial impact.
Income protection is designed to provide financial support during periods when you’re unable to work for a reason covered by your policy. The amount of cover, when payments begin and how long they can continue will depend on the policy you choose and the insurer’s terms.
Income protection insurance is a type of protection designed to replace part of your regular income if you’re unable to work because of an illness or injury covered by the policy.
Rather than paying one large lump sum, income protection is generally designed to provide regular payments. This can help you continue covering essential household expenses while you’re unable to earn your usual income.
Depending on your circumstances, those commitments could include your mortgage or rent, utility bills, food, childcare, loan repayments and other everyday living expenses. While savings or employer sick pay may provide some financial support, they may not always be enough to cover a prolonged period away from work. The amount a policy can provide varies. Income protection will normally cover a proportion of eligible earnings rather than replacing your entire income, and the maximum amount available will depend on the insurer’s criteria and your circumstances.
When arranging income protection insurance, you’ll normally select an appropriate level of cover based on your income and financial needs. Your insurer will assess your application and determine the terms on which it is prepared to provide cover.
If you later become unable to work because of an eligible illness or injury, you may be able to make a claim. If the claim satisfies the policy terms, payments can begin once the agreed waiting period, known as the deferred period, has passed.
The policy may then provide regular payments for the applicable benefit period. Depending on the type of income protection selected, this could be for a limited period for each eligible claim or potentially for considerably longer, subject to the policy terms. Exactly how a claim is assessed can also depend on the policy’s definition of incapacity. Some policies assess whether you can perform your own occupation, while others may use a broader definition. This is why comparing income protection policies involves more than simply looking at the monthly premium. The terms and definitions of the cover can be just as important.
Income protection is generally designed to provide financial support when illness or injury prevents you from working, provided the circumstances meet the conditions of your policy.
Policies can cover a wide range of illnesses and injuries rather than being restricted to a short list of named medical conditions. However, the precise circumstances in which a policy will pay depend on the insurer, policy wording and definition of incapacity.
Standard income protection insurance should not automatically be confused with unemployment or redundancy insurance. Income protection is principally designed around being unable to work because of illness or injury, while other types of cover may be designed for different circumstances.
Exclusions can also apply. These will vary by insurer and may be influenced by your medical history, occupation, lifestyle or other information provided during the application process.
Understanding what is and isn’t covered before taking out a policy is therefore essential.
The amount of income protection you can arrange depends on factors including your earnings, insurer limits and the type of policy selected.
Income protection generally provides a proportion of your earnings rather than your full salary. Insurers place limits on the amount that can be covered, which helps ensure that the benefit remains appropriate in relation to your normal income.
When deciding how much protection you may need, it can help to look at the expenses that would continue if you were unable to work.
Your mortgage or rent may still need to be paid. Household bills, food, transport costs, childcare and other financial commitments may also continue. You may therefore want to consider how much income your household would realistically require each month if your usual earnings stopped.
At ABC Mortgages, we can discuss your circumstances and help you consider a level of income protection insurance that reflects your financial commitments and budget.
How long an income protection policy can provide payments depends on the type of cover you choose.
Some policies have a limited benefit period, meaning an eligible claim can be paid for a specified length of time. Other policies can potentially provide payments for a much longer period, subject to their terms and the circumstances of the claim.
Longer-term policies may be designed to continue paying while you remain unable to work under the policy definition, potentially until you return to work or reach another endpoint specified by the policy.
The benefit period is therefore an important feature to compare when considering different income protection options. A policy that appears cheaper may provide a different duration or level of cover from another policy.
Your adviser can explain these differences so you understand what you’re paying for before deciding which type of protection is appropriate.
The deferred period is the amount of time you need to be unable to work before an eligible income protection claim begins paying.
For example, someone who receives generous employer sick pay may be comfortable selecting a longer deferred period because they already have income available during the initial weeks or months away from work. Someone with little or no sick pay may want cover to begin sooner. The appropriate deferred period can therefore depend on your employment benefits, savings, household income and existing financial protection.
Generally, selecting a longer waiting period can affect the cost of the policy, although premiums will depend on a range of other factors as well. When considering income protection insurance, it’s worth reviewing your employer’s sick-pay arrangements and determining how long you could realistically maintain your household finances without your usual earnings.
One of the most important parts of an income protection policy is the definition used to determine whether you’re unable to work.
An own occupation definition generally looks at whether your illness or injury prevents you from carrying out your own occupation, subject to the policy’s exact wording.
A suited occupation definition may consider whether you’re able to perform another occupation that the insurer considers suitable based on factors defined within the policy.
An any occupation definition can apply a broader test when assessing whether you’re capable of carrying out another type of work. Different insurers and policies may use different terminology or definitions, so it’s essential to check the precise wording rather than relying on the name alone. These differences can materially affect when an income protection insurance policy may pay. This is one reason professional protection advice can be valuable when comparing policies.
There isn’t one standard price for income protection insurance because premiums are based on the individual being insured and the cover selected.
The cost may be affected by factors such as your age, occupation, health, lifestyle, level of cover, deferred period and benefit period. The insurer’s underwriting requirements and the specific policy features can also affect the premium you’re offered. Occupation can be particularly relevant because different jobs involve different levels of physical and occupational risk. Someone working primarily at a desk may be assessed differently from someone whose job involves significant manual work.
Your chosen cover also matters. A higher benefit, shorter deferred period or longer potential payment period may affect the cost. Rather than choosing a policy solely because it has the lowest premium, it’s important to consider whether the cover actually meets your needs and understand the circumstances in which it could provide financial support.
Income protection insurance can be particularly worth considering if you’re self-employed because you may not have access to the same employer sick-pay arrangements as an employed worker.
If you’re a sole trader, contractor, freelancer or business owner, being unable to work for an extended period could directly affect the income available to you and your household. The appropriate level of cover will depend on how your income is structured, how much you’re eligible to insure and the insurer’s criteria. Self-employed applicants may therefore benefit from discussing their income arrangements with an adviser before applying.
It’s also worth considering how long your savings or business finances could support you if illness or injury prevented you from working. At ABC Mortgages, we can look at your circumstances and help you explore income protection options suited to the way you earn your income.
Whether income protection is appropriate depends entirely on your circumstances. A useful place to start is asking yourself what would happen financially if you couldn’t work for several months.
You may already receive employer sick pay or have savings you could rely on. Your partner’s income might also cover a significant proportion of household expenditure. In those circumstances, your need for additional protection may be different from someone whose household relies heavily on their income. On the other hand, if your earnings are essential for paying your mortgage and household expenses and you have limited savings or sick pay, losing your income could create financial pressure relatively quickly. Income protection insurance is therefore not about assuming everyone needs the same cover. It’s about understanding the financial gap that could arise if you were unable to work and considering whether insurance could help address it.
Income protection and Critical Illness Cover are both designed to provide financial protection, but they work differently. Income protection generally provides regular payments when you’re unable to work because of an eligible illness or injury, subject to the policy’s incapacity definition and other terms.
Critical Illness Cover is generally designed to provide a lump-sum payment if you’re diagnosed with one of the specified conditions covered by your policy and the diagnosis meets the policy definition. This means income protection focuses primarily on the effect an illness or injury has on your ability to work, whereas critical illness cover focuses on particular medical diagnoses. Depending on your financial circumstances and existing protection, you may consider one or both types of cover. An adviser can help you understand the differences and how they may fit into your wider protection arrangements.
Life Insurance and income protection also serve different purposes. Life insurance is generally designed to provide a financial benefit following the death of the insured person during the policy term, subject to the policy terms. It can help provide financial support for loved ones after someone dies. Income protection, on the other hand, is designed to help protect part of your income while you’re alive but unable to work because of an eligible illness or injury.
Someone arranging protection for their family might therefore consider several different risks. Life insurance can address the financial consequences of death, while income protection insurance can help address the financial consequences of losing earnings because you’re unable to work. The right combination depends on your circumstances, existing arrangements, budget and priorities.
Having an existing or previous medical condition does not automatically mean income protection will be unavailable, but it can affect the insurer’s decision.
When you apply, the insurer may ask questions about your health, medical history, occupation and lifestyle. Depending on the information provided, an insurer could offer standard terms, apply an exclusion, adjust the premium, impose other conditions or decide that it cannot provide cover.
The outcome will depend on the individual circumstances and the insurer’s underwriting criteria. It’s important to answer medical and lifestyle questions fully and accurately when applying for protection. Incorrect or incomplete information could affect a future claim. An adviser can explain the application process and help you understand the terms offered by an insurer.
Income protection policies can look similar at first glance, but there can be significant differences beneath the headline price.
Different policies can have different definitions of incapacity, deferred periods, benefit periods, maximum levels of cover, exclusions and underwriting requirements. These details can influence both how much the policy costs and when it may provide a benefit.
At ABC Mortgages, we’ll take the time to understand your circumstances rather than simply looking for the cheapest monthly premium.
We’ll consider factors such as your income, employment status, existing sick pay, financial commitments and current protection before helping you explore appropriate options. We’ll also explain the key features of the policies you’re considering so you can make an informed decision.
Protecting your income is a personal decision, and the right solution will depend on much more than your salary alone.
At ABC Mortgages, we provide straightforward protection advice based on your individual circumstances. We’ll discuss what financial support you already have available, how much your household relies on your income and what commitments you’d still need to meet if you couldn’t work.
We can then help you explore suitable income protection insurance options and explain the differences between policies clearly.
Whether income protection is the only protection you’re considering or part of a wider review alongside life insurance or critical illness cover, our team can help you understand your options and make an informed choice.
If illness or injury stopped you from working, understanding how you’d continue meeting your mortgage, household bills and other regular commitments can help you decide whether income protection insurance could be appropriate for you.
ABC Mortgages can review your circumstances, existing protection and financial commitments before helping you explore suitable cover. We’ll explain your options clearly, help you understand important policy features and guide you through the application process.
Contact ABC Mortgages today to speak to our team about income protection insurance and find out what protection options may be available to you.
Income protection insurance is designed to provide regular payments if you’re unable to work because of an eligible illness or injury. It normally replaces part of your income rather than your full earnings, with the amount and duration of payments depending on your policy.
If you become unable to work for a reason covered by your policy, you can make a claim. Following the agreed deferred period and a successful claim assessment, the policy may begin providing regular payments in accordance with its terms.
Income protection policies generally cover a proportion of eligible earnings rather than 100% of your income. The maximum amount available varies between insurers and will depend on your earnings, circumstances and the policy selected.
It depends on the medical condition, insurer and underwriting decision. An existing condition could result in an exclusion, different terms, a higher premium or cover being unavailable. You should provide accurate and complete information when applying.
This depends on the policy. Some income protection policies have a limited benefit period for each eligible claim, while longer-term policies may potentially provide payments for considerably longer, subject to their terms.
Deferred periods vary between policies. The right waiting period for you may depend on factors such as your employer sick pay, available savings and how long your household could manage without your normal earnings.
Potentially, yes. Income protection may be available to self-employed people, subject to insurer criteria and underwriting. The amount of cover available can depend on how your income is structured and evidenced.
Income protection generally provides regular payments if you’re unable to work because of an eligible illness or injury. Critical illness cover generally provides a lump sum following diagnosis of a specified medical condition that meets the policy definition.
Important Information
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
There may be a fee for mortgage advice. The precise amount will depend upon your circumstances and will be agreed with you before proceeding, but we estimate it will be £395.
The fee is up to 1%, but a typical fee is 0.3% of the amount borrowed.
Your home/property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate some forms of Buy to Lets.
There may be a fee for mortgage advice. The precise amount will depend upon your circumstances and will be agreed with you before proceeding, but we estimate it will be £395.
The guidance and/or information contained within this website is subject to the UK regulatory regime and is therefore targeted at consumers based in the UK.
ABC Mortgages Ltd trading as ABC Mortgages are an Appointed Representative of HL Partnership Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
ABC Mortgages Ltd are registered in England and Wales. Registered No:13184891. Registered OƯice: Suite 103, St Georges Business Park, Castle Road, Sittingbourne, Kent, England, ME10 3TB.
