Every day, you work to provide for yourself and the people who depend on you. Your income pays the mortgage, covers the bills and keeps everyday life moving. Most of the time, you don't think about it.
Until suddenly, you can't work. An illness. An accident. Something you never expected.
The money coming in stops. The mortgage doesn't. The bills don't. The childcare doesn't.
We protect our homes and our belongings. But what protects the income that pays for all of it?
Statutory Sick Pay is currently £123.25 a week.*
The FCA's Financial Lives Survey found 10% of UK adults had no savings at all in 2024, rising to 22% of households earning under £15,000.** Separate research from Novuna found 13% of households could only cover essential costs for less than a week if their main income stopped, and almost half would struggle beyond two months.***
Question: If your income stopped tomorrow, how long could you sustain your family's way of life?
Maybe you have savings.
But: Would your savings last, and what would you have to give up when they didn't?
Income Protection replaces part of your income if illness or injury leaves you unable to work. It pays a regular, tax-free monthly amount for as long as you're off, subject to your policy terms.
No dipping into savings. No putting family plans on hold. You focus on getting better, not on the bills.
Deferred period. How long you're off before payments begin, typically 4 to 52 weeks. Shorter means earlier payouts but higher premiums. Many people match it to their employer's sick pay.
How much you're covered for. Usually 50–65% of your gross income. That keeps premiums affordable and makes returning to work worthwhile.
How long it pays. Until a chosen retirement age, or for a fixed period such as 12 months, 2 years or 5 years. Longer cover costs more but protects you against long-term illness.
How claims are assessed. Own occupation cover pays out if you can't do your specific job, even if you could do another. It's stronger protection, especially for specialised or physical roles.
Useful extras. Waiver of Premium stops your payments once a claim is admitted. Guaranteed Insurability Options let you increase cover after life events, like a pay rise or a new baby, without further medical questions.
Our claims report shows 93.5% of our claimants lost an income while making a claim, and 73% of Income Protection claimants were the sole breadwinner in their household.
Behind those numbers are people who faced a difficult time without knowing how they'd keep everything going.
*Source: GOV.UK, Statutory Sick Pay rate for the 2026/27 tax year.
**Source: Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Lives Survey 2025.
***Source: Novuna Consumer Confidence Tracker, 2026.
We'll listen, understand what matters most to you and your family, and find the right cover for your circumstances. No sales pressure. No confusing terms. Just clear, practical protection.
Because when your income stops, life doesn't have to.
Graham came to us for a second opinion on his protection. We uncovered a 17-year-old policy with unbeatable cover - one worth holding onto. Two years later, after a stroke, that legacy policy paid out £75,000 when he needed it most. The right advice. At the right time. For all the right reasons.
Twelve outdated policies. No Trusts. Then - stroke, fracture, and later, bereavement. Because Waddle restructured everything, payouts were fast, probate was bypassed, and the cover actually worked when it mattered most.
A teenage health scare, emergency surgery, and weeks in intensive care. With Waddle guiding the claim, £25,000 was paid quickly, extra support was accessed, and the family could focus on recovery - not bills.
Income protection can feel complicated - deferred periods, own occupation definitions, benefit periods. Our advisers will talk it through with you, search the whole market, and help you work out what cover makes sense for your job, your outgoings and your family. No obligation, no pressure.
The right cover starts with the right conversation.
Already have protection in place? We believe your cover should grow with you. Our friendly Policy Check reviews what you have, highlights strengths and gaps, and gives honest, expert advice to keep your cover working its best for you.
