Income protection calculator.
Estimates the monthly benefit you would need if illness or injury stopped you working, and the deferred period that fits your sick-pay arrangement.
Income protection calculator
Sizes a monthly benefit to bridge essential outgoings if illness or injury stopped your earning, capped at the typical insurer ceiling of between 50% and 70% of gross income.
Next step: book a quick 15-minute call and we will map your sick pay and deferred period, then obtain quotations from insurers available through our panel. No obligation.
Indicative only. Insurer rules and lifestyle change the answer; speak to an adviser for a real recommendation.
How to size income protection
Start with your essential monthly outgoings: mortgage, bills, food, childcare, transport. The policy needs to cover at least these, with a small buffer. The maximum most insurers will cover is 60 to 70% of gross earned income, capped at a monthly maximum.
The deferred period decides when the benefit starts. Common picks are 4, 13, 26 or 52 weeks. Match it to your employer sick pay so you have continuous income through any claim. The longer the deferred period, the lower the premium.
Cover should run to your planned retirement age. Most policies offer payouts to age 65 or 70, with the option to claim multiple times across the term. Some short-term contracts cap each claim at 12 or 24 months, which is cheaper but less robust.
Own occupation versus suited occupation versus any occupation is a critical clause. Own occupation pays out if you cannot do your specific job. We recommend own occupation in nearly every case, on the basis that it is materially better at claim.
Related guides
Income protection
How income protection works, deferred periods, benefit caps, and the difference between own occupation and any occupation.
See income protectionCritical illness vs income protection
When you need one, when you need both, and the cost-benefit on a typical case.
Read guideInsurance for self-employed
Self-employed income, no sick pay, and how to structure cover when there is no employer to lean on.
Read guideGet sized in 15 minutes
A short call covers the cover sum, the deferred period, the term, and which insurer fits your role and any medical history.
We aim to return your call as quickly as we can. Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm, weekend appointments on request.