Income Protection Providers

Many of the same insurers that provide life insurance and other similar forms of personal insurance policy, also provide income protection insurance. However, the type of lender that will suit your needs will depend on the type of policy you’re looking for.

If you’re looking for individual income protection, for example, not all providers will have short-term income protection policies available. It’s also important that you ensure the provider you approach accepts your income type. Not all income protection policies are suited to self-employed individuals, or those with complex income.

Group income protection is typically offered to employees by their employer. Personal insurance providers won’t necessarily provide group policies, but some providers have a broad variety that are suitable for both individuals and employers.

The best provider for your needs will depend on which style of policy you need and the extent of the coverage you’re looking for. For example, some policies cover you for a set length of time, and others cover you indefinitely (or to retirement).

You’ll also need to decide what level of cover is suitable. Some providers will cover a maximum percentage of your salary, whereas others cap their maximum monthly payouts at a certain value - for example, they may pay up to £1500 per month, regardless of your salary.

Here are some examples of income protection providers and a brief overview of their policy availability, based on individual or group protection cover.

1. British Friendly

British Friendly specialise in income protection insurance, which are available through intermediaries only. At Money Helpdesk, we can help you to access and apply for their products, which include:

• BFS Protect - available to both the employed and self-employed and tailored to your individual needs and circumstances. They offer short and long term cover and will payout weekly or monthly. You can also opt for payments to go directly to your mortgage lender if preferred.

• BFS Breathing Space - tailored to self-employed people with fluctuating income and those with complex income. They have capped monthly lump sum payouts of up to £1250, which can also be paid weekly, but only short-term policies are available, with a maximum of a 2-year term

2. Cirencester

Cirencester is an insurance provider offering income protection insurance for both employed and self-employed individuals. Their main policies are:

• My Earnings Protected - which covers up to 65% of your salary and provides both long and short-term policies to those with an income of at least £6,400 per year

• Income Assured Enhanced - an investment-backed element policy with profit-sharing options

3. Aviva

Aviva is a well-known insurance provider offering a range of different insurance policies, including income protection. Their Living Costs Protection product is a flexible income protection policy that doesn’t require any proof of income, so it is available to both employed and self-employed applicants who work at least 16 hours per week. It pays up to £1,500 per month for up to 12 months at a time

4. Vitality

Vitality offers flexible, bespoke income protection cover to a broad range of earners, with up to £8000 per month cover available with proof of income. They also have a 20% boost on payouts for 6 months available to those who take steps to stay healthy.

5. LV (Liverpool Victoria)

Liverpool Victoria offers a wide range of different types of insurance policy, including comprehensive income protection policies with flexible features. Their income protection policies are available to employed and self-employed earners and are easily customisable based on preferred deferred periods and levels of cover - up to £5000 per month with proof of income.

6. Legal & General

Another large insurance provider offering many types of cover, Legal & General income protection policies pay up to 60% of your gross income up to a maximum salary of £60,000 (up to 50% for earnings above £60k).

If you’re looking for a group income protection scheme, you’ll need a provider with the right type of policy for your business. The following group income protection providers may be suitable, however, it’s a good idea to compare policies across the whole market to ensure you’re securing the best cover for your employees, at the right price for you:

Zurich

Zurich is a large insurance provider, offering individual insurance policies, such as life insurance, as well as group income protection policies that cover up to 80% of your employees’ salaries. Policies have flexible criteria, with employees able to choose their preferred deferral period, and automatic acceptance limits benefit typically available without underwriting. They also offer additional support, such as rehabilitation and cover for National Insurance and pension contributions.

Canada Life

Potentially suited to smaller businesses, Canada Life group income protection cover is available to businesses with 2 or more employees. Cover is available for up to 75% of employee salaries, as well as their pension and National Insurance contributions. There are also a host of other benefits, such as rehabilitation and dental support available.

When choosing an income protection provider, looking at customer feedback on platforms like Trustpilot or Feefo, as well as published claims payout statistics, can give you a clear idea of the quality of service you can expect. While exact review scores fluctuate over time, different types of insurers consistently stand out for specific strengths.

Here is a general overview of how different income protection providers are typically reviewed by policyholders:

• Friendly societies and mutuals: Mutual insurers like LV=, Royal London, Shepherds Friendly, and British Friendly regularly receive top ratings from policyholders. Because they are owned by their members rather than external shareholders, they are frequently praised for their human-led approach to underwriting, high claims payout percentages, and compassionate claims support.

• Mainstream household insurers: Major brands such as Aviva, Legal & General, and Zurich score well for policy accessibility, competitive pricing, and slick digital account management. Customers also praise their value-added health benefits - such as 24/7 virtual GP access, mental health support, and second medical opinion services - which can be used even if you never need to claim.

• Specialist protection providers: Insurers like The Exeter, Cirencester Friendly, and Holloway Friendly consistently earn strong reviews from self-employed workers, manual tradespeople, and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions. Reviewers often highlight their flexible underwriting rules and tailor-made deferred periods for roles high street insurers might reject.

Ultimately, the provider with the "best" reviews will depend on what matters most to your situation - whether that’s securing the lowest monthly premium, getting comprehensive health perks, or choosing an insurer with a proven track record for paying claims in your specific occupation.

Just as with mortgages, speaking to an independent protection adviser is often the best way to navigate your options. An adviser can compare whole-of-market reviews, claims payout statistics, and policy terms to ensure you select a provider that will reliably support you if you are ever unable to work.

Whether you’re looking for personal or group income protection insurance, it’s not always easy to find a suitable policy. Some insurance providers only operate through intermediaries, such as ourselves. The vast majority of providers also have optional extras available to each policy, which you may not be aware of if they aren’t pointed out.

At Money Helpdesk, our experienced insurance advisers can find a cover that works for you, at an affordable cost for any type of applicant. We can provide tailored quotes from a range of providers, including specialist insurers with exclusive deals.

For a free, no-obligation chat with an advisor specialising in income protection insurance, get started here.