Complete guide to long-term income protection insurance. Replace up to 70% of your income with tax-free monthly payments if unable to work due to illness or injury until retirement age (typically 65). Unlike short-term policies that pay for only 1-5 years, long-term income protection provides comprehensive lifetime protection with no time limit on benefits. Essential for: Self-employed with no sick pay, Families with high financial commitments, Anyone at risk of permanent disability. Compare whole of market quotes from leading UK providers from just 20p-a-day.
By: Lorna Bailey Protection Expert Updated: 2nd January 2026
Safeguard your earnings with long-term income protection
Replace a percentage of your usual earnings with long-term income protection insurance.
Should you be unable to work due to illness or injury, a long-term income protection policy could payout up to 70% of your income to assist you keep up with your living costs.
Payments could last up until retirement age, unlike short-term income protection where payments are made for a maximum of 1, 2 or 5 years per claim.
What is long-term income protection?
Long-term income protection is an insurance policy which can help to replace a percentage of your income while you're unable to work due to illness or injury.
Unlike short-term income protection, you have the potential to receive payments until your policy term comes to an end (which could be when you reach retirement age).
The main benefit of long-term income protection is that if your incapacity resulted in you being unable to return to work, you could still receive payments for the rest of your working life.
So, you can you rest assured that you could keep up with essential living costs while you're off work, and have financial security that you and your family are protected no matter what life throws at you.
Compare multiple long-term income protection policies for free using LifePro.
How much long-term income protection do you need?
Enter your monthly financial commitments to understand the level of long-term income protection cover you might require.
The amount of income protection insurance you need depends on your individual circumstances and financial commitments. Most experts recommend covering 50-70% of your gross annual income, as this typically provides enough to maintain your standard of living if you're unable to work due to illness or injury.
When calculating how much cover you need, consider:
Your monthly mortgage or rent payments
Household bills and utilities
Childcare costs
Loan repayments and credit card bills
Daily living expenses for your family
Any savings you have that could cover short-term absences
Remember that income protection payments are tax-free, so you may not need to replace your full salary. The key is ensuring you can maintain your essential outgoings and standard of living during a period when you're unable to work.
To get an accurate quote tailored to your needs, use our free comparison service to compare quotes from 50+ UK providers, including Long Term Income Protection.
Why purchase long-term income protection insurance through LifePro?
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What's the best long-term income protection?
The best long-term income protection will be the policy that meets your needs and is at an affordable price.
Policies can vary between providers, such as the percentage of your income they'll payout and additional benefits offered.
Therefore, it's essential to compare multiple quotes to ensure you're getting the best policy for your personal circumstances.
To understand whether a policy is right for you, there are some important policy terms and conditions it's advisable to be aware of:
Income Protection Policy Terminology
Understanding these terms helps you choose the right policy features to match your needs and budget. Each element affects your monthly premium and the level of protection you receive.
Compare fee-free quotes through LifePro to discover the best policy for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is long-term income protection?
Long-term income protection pays up to 70% of your income if you can't work due to illness or injury until retirement age (typically 65). Unlike short-term policies that pay for 1-5 years, long-term provides comprehensive protection with no time limit. Payments are tax-free and help cover mortgage, bills, and living costs for as long as you're unable to work.
How much does long-term income protection cost?
Long-term income protection premiums depend on: Age, income, benefit amount, deferred period, occupation, health. Example: A 35-year-old non-smoker earning £30,000/year might pay £25-40/month for £1,750/month benefit (70% of income) until age 65. Long-term costs more than short-term but provides lifetime protection. Compare quotes to find best value.
What's the difference between short and long-term income protection?
Short-term: Pays for fixed period (1, 2, or 5 years), Cheaper premiums, Ends after term expires. Long-term: Pays until retirement age, Higher premiums, No time limit on benefits, Comprehensive lifetime protection. Choose long-term for: Permanent disability risk, Maximum protection, Peace of mind until retirement. Choose short-term for: Budget constraints, Temporary cover needs.
Will I need a medical exam?
Possibly. Medical underwriting depends on: Cover amount (higher = more likely to need exam), Age (older = more likely), Health history (pre-existing conditions). Many policies only require medical questionnaires with no exam. Some insurers offer guaranteed acceptance options with limited medical questions but higher premiums.
Can I get long-term income protection if I'm self-employed?
Yes, self-employed workers can get long-term income protection. You'll need to prove income via: Tax returns (SA302), Accounts from accountant, Bank statements. Self-employed premiums may be slightly higher than employed workers. Long-term income protection is crucial for self-employed as you have no employer sick pay safety net.
What is a deferred period?
The deferred period (or waiting period) is how long you must be off work before payments start. Options: 1 week, 4 weeks, 13 weeks, 26 weeks, 52 weeks. Longer deferred periods = cheaper premiums. Choose based on: Employer sick pay duration, Savings to cover initial weeks, Budget for premiums. Example: If employer pays 6 months sick pay, choose 26-week deferred period for cheaper premiums.
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