How long can an income protection claim be paid?

Some policies have a maximum payment period for each claim, while long-term plans may continue while a claim remains valid until recovery, policy expiry or another stated limit.

Can I claim income protection more than once?

Many policies can support more than one valid claim during the policy term, subject to policy wording, continued eligibility and recurrence rules.

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Protection advice

Income protection advice to help protect your monthly earnings

Q: Can self-employed people get income protection?

Self-employed people can apply subject to eligibility and underwriting. The insurer will usually assess the income that can be evidenced.

Income protection insurance is designed to pay a regular benefit if illness or injury leaves you unable to work and your claim meets the policy terms. We help employed and self-employed clients understand benefit levels, deferred periods, claim durations and occupation definitions.

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Employed and self-employedCover considered around how you earn.

Deferred-period planningCoordinate cover with sick pay and savings.

Occupation definitionsUnderstand how incapacity is assessed.

Short or long-term benefitCompare different claim payment periods.

Protecting your earnings

What is income protection insurance?

Income protection is designed to replace part of your earnings when illness or injury prevents you from working, after an agreed waiting period.

The policy normally pays a monthly benefit while you meet the insurer's definition of incapacity, subject to the maximum claim period and other policy terms. It is not normally designed to cover redundancy.

The benefit can help you continue paying the mortgage or rent, utilities, food, childcare and other regular commitments when your earned income falls.

Key policy choices

How income protection can be structured

Benefit amount

The insurer sets a maximum based on eligible earnings. The aim is to replace part, not normally all, of the income you lose.

Deferred period

This is the waiting period before benefit starts. It can be aligned with employer sick pay, savings or other available income.

Claim duration

Some plans pay for a limited period per claim, while long-term policies may pay until recovery, policy expiry or another stated limit.

Occupation definition

The wording used to decide whether you are unable to work is crucial. Definitions and eligibility vary by occupation and insurer.

Information an adviser may consider

Your employment status and occupation
Salary, dividends or self-employed earnings
Employer sick pay and other benefits
Essential monthly commitments
Available savings and emergency funds
Health, lifestyle and existing protection

Getting the waiting period right

How long could you manage without your normal income?

A shorter deferred period can provide earlier support but will usually affect the premium. A longer deferred period may reduce the premium, but you need enough sick pay or savings to bridge the gap.

For employed clients, the deferred period can often be coordinated with full and half-pay sick leave. Self-employed clients may have no contractual sick pay, making the interaction between savings, business income and the policy especially important.

Do not confuse products: Long-term income protection is designed around incapacity caused by illness or injury. It is generally different from redundancy or mortgage payment protection cover.

Our advice process

How CoG Financial can help

Map your income

We review how you are paid, your sick pay, savings, essential expenses and existing cover.

Set the policy design

We consider the benefit, waiting period, claim duration, expiry age and whether indexation is appropriate.

Compare definitions

We assess occupation wording, exclusions, guaranteed or reviewable premiums and useful support services.

Guide underwriting

We help complete the application accurately and explain any changes to the proposed terms.

Frequently asked questions

Income protection FAQs

How much of my income can I insure?

Insurers normally cap the benefit at a percentage of eligible earnings and may use different calculations for salary, dividends or self-employed profit. The exact maximum depends on the provider and policy.

Does income protection cover redundancy?

Long-term income protection generally covers inability to work due to illness or injury, not redundancy. Redundancy cover is a different type of insurance and may have separate limitations.

Can self-employed people get income protection?

Yes, subject to eligibility and underwriting. The insurer will usually assess the income that can be evidenced, so accounts, tax calculations or other financial information may be needed.

How long can a claim be paid?

Some policies have a maximum payment period for each claim, such as one, two or five years. Long-term plans may continue while the claim remains valid until recovery, policy expiry or another stated limit.

Can I claim more than once?

Many policies can support more than one valid claim during the policy term, subject to the wording, continued eligibility and any linked-claim or recurrence rules.

Explore your options

Related protection advice

Protect the income your household relies on

We can help you build an income protection policy around your occupation, sick pay, monthly commitments and budget.

Start your protection enquiry Speak to an adviser

Income protection is subject to eligibility, financial and medical underwriting, policy definitions, exclusions, deferred periods and maximum claim limits. Tax treatment depends on how the policy is arranged and individual circumstances.