INCOME PROTECTION OPTIONS

Accident, Sickness & Unemployment (ASU)

ASU policies were traditionally sold to accompany mortgages, allowing for a regular income to be paid to the insured should they be unable to work due to ill health, an accident or lose their job. The product can be split down, and unemployment cover is usually the optional extra available for an additional premium. Benefits are only usually paid for a specified period, for example 12 months. It is important to compare ASU and Income Protection closely as one may be more suitable than another. It may also be beneficial to use the two products to work in tandem with each other.

LONG TERM INCOME PROTECTION

Income protection insurance pays you a regular income if you can’t work because of sickness or disability and continues until you return to paid work or you retire. Income protection insurance is also known as permanent health insurance.

The amount of income you are allowed to claim will not replace the exact amount of money you were earning before you had to stop work. You can expect to receive about a half to two-thirds of your earnings before tax from your normal job. This is because some money will be taken off for the state benefits you can claim, and also the income you get from the policy is tax free.

You can’t claim income protection payments straightaway if you fall ill or become disabled. You usually have to wait a minimum of four weeks but payments can start up to two years after you stop work. This is called the deferment period which is why ASU can sit very comfortably along side long term income protection.

You may also be entitled to some financial support from your employer under statutory sick pay for up to 28 weeks after you stop work.