Income protection
Protecting your income in the event of illness or injury preventing you from working
If you are unable to work due to illness or injury an income protection policy will pay you a
regular income until you are able to return to work or retirement, which ever comes sooner.
How much can you expect to be paid
Payouts range from 50% to 70% of your earnings, and they are tax free. The actual percentage will be written into the policy
at the outset.
There will also be an agreed upon deferred period. This is the period from when your claim starts to when the insurer pays
you your first payment. The shorter the deferred period the costlier the policy. The norm is 13 to 26 weeks but can be as
long as 12 months. You must realise this is the period you will have to survive without payment.
If you are running your own business this type of policy is essential.