If you cannot work, your income stops. Your mortgage does not. Income protection is the policy that bridges that gap — honestly and simply explained.
Income protection is a policy which replaces most of your income from your job if you get injured or sick and cannot fulfil your job anymore. Normally it kicks in after your job security — so if you are offered sick pay, it kicks in once that has stopped — and it lasts until you retire.
It is not a lump sum. It is a regular monthly income — like a salary — paid directly to you for as long as you cannot work. That distinction matters. A lump sum runs out. A monthly income keeps going.
It is, in Jack's view, the most overlooked and most important protection product. The one that people most often wish they had taken out sooner.
“It's a policy which replaces most of your income from your job if you get injured or sick and can't fulfil your job anymore. Normally it kicks in after your job security — and it lasts until you retire.”
“Income doesn't last long, neither does savings. People overestimate how far money will go.”
How long could you afford to not work? A week? A month? Three months? Most people have never done that calculation honestly.
Income does not last long, neither does savings. People overestimate how far money will go. Statutory Sick Pay is currently £116.75 per week. For most people, that does not come close to covering their actual outgoings.
The question is not whether you can afford income protection. It is whether you can afford not to have it.
1 in 4
people will be off work for more than a month due to illness or injury at some point in their working life
£116.75
per week — Statutory Sick Pay in the UK. Most outgoings run far higher than this.
50–70%
of your gross income — the typical replacement level. Enough to keep your household running.
The honest answer: most working adults. But it is especially critical for certain groups.
If you are self-employed, you have zero sick pay by default. If you cannot work, your income stops the same day. Income protection is arguably more important for you than anyone.
Your mortgage does not pause because you are ill. Neither does the rest of life. Income protection means you can keep the roof over your head regardless of what happens.
When others rely on your earnings — a partner, children — the stakes are higher. Income protection ensures your household does not unravel because of illness or injury.
Four things you need to understand about income protection. Jack will walk through every one of them with you.
Typically replaces 50–70% of your gross income, paid as a regular monthly income — not a lump sum. Enough to cover the essentials while you recover.
You choose a 'deferred period' — usually 4, 8, 13, 26 or 52 weeks. It kicks in after your sick pay (or savings) run out. Longer deferral means lower premiums.
A well-structured policy lasts until your chosen retirement age — often 65 or 70. It is not a short-term patch. It is long-term security.
The best policies pay out if you cannot do YOUR job — not just any job. This distinction matters enormously. Jack will always explain what definition your policy uses.
Income protection is the product I feel most strongly about. It is consistently under-owned, consistently overlooked — and it is the one that makes the biggest practical difference when life goes wrong.
People often say they will 'sort it later'. But later sometimes comes before you expect it. A good income protection policy, set up correctly, means you can focus entirely on getting better — rather than watching your savings drain away and your mortgage fall behind.
My job is to help you understand your exposure honestly, then find a policy that closes the gap in a way that makes sense for your life and your budget.
“I have never met someone who regretted having income protection. I have met plenty who wished they had set it up sooner.”
— Jack Eiles
Questions Jack hears most often. Answered honestly, without jargon.
Your income protection policy can be set up to dovetail with your sick pay. The deferred period is aligned so the policy kicks in exactly when your employer sick pay stops. You are not doubling up — you are filling the gap.
This depends on the policy definition. 'Own occupation' means you cannot do your specific job. 'Any occupation' means you cannot do any work at all — a much harder test. Jack recommends own occupation wherever possible.
It is less expensive than most people assume, and far less expensive than losing six months of income. The cost depends on your age, health, occupation and the level of cover you choose. The best way to understand the cost is to get a personalised illustration.
Many policies do — and this is one of the most important questions to ask, because it is a common reason people need to claim. Jack will check the policy terms carefully on your behalf.
Sometimes. Insurers take different approaches. Some will exclude a specific condition, others may offer cover with a loading on the premium. Jack will search the market to find what is available for your situation.
The first conversation is free and carries no obligation. Jack will explain your options clearly, show you the cost, and help you decide whether it makes sense for your situation.