How Much Income Protection Do You Need?

Protect your lifestyle with our income protection calculator

Your ability to earn an income is your most valuable asset. If you were unable to work due to illness or injury, how would you pay the bills? For many, Statutory Sick Pay (which stands at just £116.75 a week as of August 2025) is simply not enough to cover essential outgoings like a mortgage, rent, and utility bills.

Income protection insurance is designed to prevent this. It pays you a regular, tax-free monthly sum if you can't work, helping you maintain your financial stability and focus on your recovery without money worries.

But how much cover can you get? Insurers typically allow you to protect between 50% and 70% of your gross (pre-tax) income. Our calculator below will help you estimate the maximum monthly benefit you could insure.





Now that you have an estimate, it's important to consider the "deferment period". This is the amount of time you agree to wait after you stop working before the policy starts paying out. A longer deferment period, such as 3 or 6 months, can significantly lower your monthly premiums. You can align this with any sick pay you receive from your employer.

You should also be aware of the different policy definitions. An "own occupation" policy is often the most comprehensive as it pays out if you are unable to do your specific job. Other definitions like "suited occupation" or "any occupation" are stricter and may be cheaper.

Our expert advisers can walk you through these options to find the most suitable and affordable policy for your circumstances. Book a free, no-obligation consultation to get a personalised assessment and compare quotes from leading UK insurers.