Income protection insurance
Protect your salary if you can't work. And boost your payouts by up to 20%1 when you look after your health. Redundancy not covered.
5 Star Defaqto rated income protection
What is income protection insurance?
Imagine your salary suddenly stops due to illness, injury or an accident. How would you pay your rent, bills or weekly shop?
Income Protection is a type of insurance that steps in when you can’t work. It gives you a tax-free monthly payout to help cover your essential costs while you recover - so you can focus on getting better, not worrying about money. You can use it for anything from mortgage payments to childcare.
With Vitality, you can even boost your payout by up to 20% when you look after your health. Payouts are boosted by up to 20% for the first 6 months of your claim. The booster amount is based on your Vitality status at point of claim.
Why do I need income protection?
Life's unpredictable. If you suddenly couldn't work, how would you pay your mortgage, rent or everyday expenses?
When you make a claim on your income protection policy, the payout is tax-free. It helps you protect your finances while you recover. The money can cover anything, like:
- Pays you a tax-free monthly income if you need to take time off work for an illness or if you’ve been injured
- Helps pay for expenses like a mortgage or rent whilst you recover
- Gives access to our private healthcare treatment to support your recovery
We paid a total of £142 million in claims in 2024 (VitalityLife Claims and Shared Value Report 2025)
How is this different from life insurance?
Benefits of Income protection insurance
You never know when an illness or injury could stop you working. But you can put the right cover in place, just in case.
If you get sick or injured and can't work, income protection insurance can:
- Helps pay for expenses like a mortgage or rent whilst you recover
- Gives you access to private healthcare treatment to support your recovery, unique to Vitality
Benefits of Life insurance
Pays your loved ones a lump sum if you're diagnosed with a terminal illness or pass away.
With life insurance you can:
- Choose between a whole of life or a fixed term plan
- Cover important costs, like your mortgage, funeral or family living expenses
- If your circumstances change, you change the amount your family would get
How does income protection work?
Pick your cover
Choose how much protection you need and set your deferred period*
Pay a monthly premium
Your premium is what you’ll pay each month to stay covered
Make a claim
Call us on 0345 601 0072, email [email protected] or find out more
Get a regular payout
If your claim’s approved, we’ll pay a monthly income straight into your bank account
Support when it mattered most: William’s story
At just 30, William*, a self-employed personal trainer, was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour. He underwent surgery and radiotherapy, needing time off to recover. Thanks to his VitalityLife plan with Income Protection Cover, William was able to focus on his health without worrying about money.
What income protection William received:
- £1,140 per month after his deferred period
- Full benefit amount through our Earnings Guarantee
- Vocational support to help him return to work
*Real name and some details have been changed to protect anonymity. Image is for illustrative purposes only
What you get with Vitality income protection
Our income protection insurance includes:
Up to 20% extra on your payout
Boost your monthly income for up to six months when you engage in healthy habits.
Healthcare and support
Access a panel of support services to help your recovery when you claim. Includes physio, therapy and cancer support.
Guarantee your payments
We’ll automatically guarantee your benefit amount up to £1,500 per month. When you verify your earnings within the first six months of your plan, we'll guarantee up to £8,000 a month, subject to eligibility.
Choose your deferred period
Pick a deferred period that matches your sick pay, then choose a payment term from 1 year up to the full policy duration.
Flexible cover
Increase income protection cover, waiting periods and payment periods when big life events happen.
Stay healthy with top rewards
Discounted gym membership, spa breaks and weekly coffees.
What's not covered with income protection insurance?
Like most insurers, our income protection insurance won't pay out if you're:
- made redundant or dismissed
- still getting paid sick pay
- unable to work due to a condition that doesn’t meet the policy criteria
- waiting on a deferred period. Payments begin once the deferred period ends
How much is income protection insurance?
Your income protection premium depends on few things, like:
- Your age
- Your medical history and your family’s medical history
- Your job
- Your income level
- How much alcohol you drink
- Your choice of deferred or waiting period
- If you’re a smoker (or use other tobacco products)
You could also add on indexation. This allows you to increase your cover in line with inflation.
Our plan's designed to suit a range of occupations
Doctors and surgeons
We guarantee benefit amounts of up to £3,000 without the need to submit proof of earnings.
Parents on parental leave
If on parental leave, you'll still be classified as working when they make a claim. This prevents a lower payout at claim stage.
Self-employed
Members don’t have to worry about a temporary drop in income. You’ll still get the full benefit when making a claim.*
*Subject to earnings verification and plan terms and conditions.
Need income protection advice?
Our team are here to help you decide if income protection insurance is the right cover for you.
They'll give you qualified advice and recommendations. No obligation, no charge.
Call us on 0330 678 3328
Or
Income protection FAQs
Sources
- Payouts are boosted by up to 20% for the first 6 months of your claim. The booster amount is based on your Vitality status at point of claim.
