About Zurich income protection

Zurich is a major global insurance company with a strong presence in the UK market. They've been providing financial protection products for over 150 years and serve millions of customers worldwide.

Key facts about Zurich income protection:

• Financial strength rating: A+ (S&P) - very strong financial security
• Claims paid: 90%+ of income protection claims paid in 2024
• Occupations covered: Wide range from office workers to manual trades
• Maximum cover: Up to 70% of gross income (£200,000+ annual)
• Cover period: Available until age 65 or 70
• Own occupation: Available as standard for most policies
• Rehabilitation support: Comprehensive return-to-work programs

Key features and benefits

Zurich income protection includes several valuable features that set it apart from basic policies:

1. Own occupation cover: Pays out if you can't perform your specific job, not just any job. This is the gold standard for income protection and ensures you're covered even if you could do a different type of work.
2. Proportionate benefit: If you return to work part-time or on reduced hours, Zurich pays a proportionate amount. This supports gradual returns to work and helps you rebuild your income slowly.
3. Guaranteed premiums: Option to lock in your premium rate, protecting you from future price increases. Particularly valuable as you age or if your health changes.
4. Inflation protection: Your cover amount can increase annually with inflation, ensuring your protection keeps pace with rising living costs and salary increases.
5. Mental health cover: Full coverage for mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, and stress if they prevent you from working.
6. Rehabilitation support: Access to occupational health specialists, physiotherapy, counseling, and workplace assessments to help you return to work sooner.

Additional benefits available:

• Waiver of premium - no premiums due while claiming
• Back-to-work bonus - lump sum payment when you return to work
• Houseperson cover - if your partner needs care while you recover
• Children's education fund - helps maintain education costs during claims
• Indexation options - automatic annual increases without medical underwriting

What's covered and excluded

Understanding exactly what Zurich income protection covers is crucial before purchasing a policy.

Zurich income protection costs

Zurich income protection premiums vary based on several personal factors:

• Age (older = higher premiums)
• Occupation (manual work = higher cost)
• Income level (coverage amount)
• Deferred period chosen (longer wait = lower cost)
• Smoking status
• Health and medical history
• Policy features selected

Example monthly premiums for Zurich income protection (non-smoker, office worker, £40,000 salary, covering £2,000/month, 13-week deferred period, cover until age 65):

Zurich Income Protection Premiums by Age (non-smoker, office worker, £40,000 salary, covering £2,000/month, 13-week deferred period, cover until age 65)

Indicative prices only. Actual quotes depend on individual circumstances and full underwriting.

Ways to reduce your Zurich premium:

• Choose a longer deferred period (26 or 52 weeks instead of 13)
• Select short-term payment period if appropriate (1-2 years)
• Reduce cover to 50-60% of income instead of 70%
• Pay annually instead of monthly (save 5-8%)
• Maintain good health and avoid smoking
• Consider excluding certain benefits you don't need

Zurich income protection pros and cons

Based on our analysis and customer feedback, here are the main advantages and disadvantages of choosing Zurich for income protection:

Should you choose Zurich income protection?

Zurich income protection is a solid choice for many people, particularly those who value comprehensive cover from a financially strong, established insurer.

Zurich is ideal if you:

• Want cover from a highly-rated, financially secure insurer
• Need comprehensive own occupation protection
• Value rehabilitation support and return-to-work programs
• Want flexible policy options and additional benefits
• Have a standard occupation (not high-risk manual work)
• Are comfortable with phone-based claims service
• Prefer established insurers with proven claims records

Consider alternatives if you:

• Are primarily looking for the absolute lowest price
• Work in a very high-risk occupation
• Have significant pre-existing health conditions
• Prefer fully digital claims management
• Want permanent own occupation (not switching to suited after 2 years)

While Zurich offers excellent income protection, it's important to compare quotes from multiple insurers to ensure you're getting the best value and coverage for your specific needs.

Use our whole-of-market comparison service to see how Zurich compares to 50+ other UK income protection providers.