Income Protection

Life doesn’t pause when an injury or illness keeps you from working, but your paycheck might. Income protection helps fill that gap. It’s designed to replace part of your income if you can’t work due to disability or serious health issues, so you can focus on recovery instead of worrying about bills. At Spicer Financial Group, we’ll help you find a plan that fits your lifestyle, protects your earning power, and keeps your family’s financial foundation steady no matter what life brings.

 Income Protection FAQs

  • Income protection helps replace part of your income if you can’t work because of illness or injury. It’s like a safety net for your paycheck, keeping your bills paid and your household running while you focus on getting better.

  • Payment protection is short-term coverage (usually up to two years) that’s tied to a specific debt like a mortgage or loan. Income protection replaces a portion of your overall income for a longer period, even until retirement if needed.

  • Most income protection policies cover a percentage of your pre-tax income, often up to about 70%. That amount is paid to you as a regular benefit, helping bridge the gap until you can return to work.

  • You can absolutely get income protection as a self-employed person. In fact, it’s especially important since you don’t have employer sick pay to fall back on. Your coverage can be tailored to reflect your average income and expenses.

  • If losing your income for even a few months would put financial strain on your household, then yes, it’s worth it. Income protection keeps your bills paid, your savings intact, and your peace of mind steady when life takes an unexpected turn.

  • Income protection covers most medical conditions that prevent you from working, as long as a doctor can certify your inability to perform your job. This includes both physical and mental health issues, depending on your policy.

  • Yes, most policies have some exclusions - for example, pre-existing conditions, certain high-risk activities, or injuries caused by self-harm. Every policy is unique, which is why we walk you through all the details before you buy.

  • No. Income protection is designed for illness or injury that prevents you from working. It doesn’t cover redundancy or layoffs.

  • You’ll need to disclose it during your application. Some insurers may still offer coverage but exclude that specific condition or adjust the premium. We’ll help you compare options and find the policy that fits best.

  • Typically, you’ll need a completed claim form, proof of identity, income verification (like recent tax returns or pay stubs), and medical certification from your doctor.

  • The benefit period is how long your policy will continue to pay out once a claim begins. This might be one year, five years, or all the way until retirement age. The longer the benefit period, the higher the potential premium.

  • The deferred period is the waiting time between when you make a claim and when your benefit payments start. Common options range from 30 to 180 days. Choosing a longer waiting period can lower your premium, but you’ll need to rely on savings, sick pay, or other resources during that time.

  • Yes, you can hold multiple policies, though your total benefits across all of them usually can’t exceed a set percentage of your income. We can help you structure coverage in a way that makes sense without paying for overlap.