Understand the risk
We identify who depends on you, what is already covered and the financial gap that remains.
SPECIALIST PROPERTY FINANCE
Income protection
Help protect your monthly income if illness or injury prevents you from working. Speak to an adviser who will assess your full circumstances, not just a headline number.
No obligation · Initial conversation does not affect your credit score
Written and reviewed by Smart Mortgages specialistsReviewed 21 August 2026 · FCA reference 912358
How we help with income protection
Good protection advice starts with the financial impact you want to guard against. We assess needs, existing benefits, budget, policy quality and underwriting before recommending suitable cover.
Compare suitable options
We compare policy definitions, benefits, exclusions, underwriting and cost, not price alone.
Put cover in place
We manage the application and explain any terms offered before the policy begins.
Protect part of your income if illness stops you working
Income protection can provide a monthly benefit after a chosen waiting period when illness or injury prevents you from working under the policy definition.
Benefit amount
Base cover on eligible earnings, essential spending and insurer limits.
Deferred period
Coordinate the waiting period with savings, employer sick pay and other resources.
Claim length
Compare short-term payment periods with cover that may continue to retirement.
Occupation definition
Understand how the insurer determines whether you are unable to work.
Your Smart Mortgages contact
A protection adviser will structure cover around your sick pay, work and budget.
Protect part of your income if illness stops you working FAQs
Does income protection cover redundancy?
Standard income protection is designed for incapacity caused by illness or injury, not ordinary redundancy.
Can self-employed people apply?
Yes, subject to evidence of earnings and the insurer's underwriting and benefit limits.
When would payments begin?
After the selected deferred period and acceptance of a valid claim under the policy terms.
Specialist knowledge that can make the difference
Our team regularly works with income cover, sick pay gaps and self-employed protection. Policy wording and underwriting can differ significantly, so we compare suitable insurers and explain important limitations before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
Will I need medical underwriting?
Most personal protection applications include health and lifestyle questions. The insurer may request additional medical evidence depending on the cover and disclosures.
Can existing cover be reviewed?
Yes. We compare what you already have with current needs before considering whether any change is appropriate. Existing cover should not be cancelled until replacement cover is accepted and in force.
Can you help throughout the UK?
Yes. Our protection team supports clients across the UK by telephone and video as well as through our branches.