🔥 58,000+ people matched with FCA-regulated advisers through Nesto — join them today →
⭐ Rated 4.9/5 · FCA Regulated · Free Service
Find an Income Protection Broker in the UK
If illness stopped you working tomorrow, how long could you survive? Get matched with a specialist income protection broker who'll find the right cover to replace your income.
✅ No credit check⚡ Matched in minutes🔒 FCA regulated
28 weeksaverage time off work for long-term illness
25k+people matched
4.9★average rating
4.9★
Average adviser rating
★★★★★
4.9
2,847 reviews
🏆58,000+ people matched
✅100% FCA-regulated advisers
🆓Free matching service
⚡Matched within 2 minutes
🌐Whole of market access
25k+
FCA-regulated brokers
4.9★
Average adviser rating
100%
FCA-regulated advisers
2min
Average matching time
Why Nesto
Why use an Income Protection Broker?
Statutory Sick Pay is £116.75 per week — barely enough to cover a mortgage, let alone everything else. Income protection insurance replaces your income (typically 50–70% of earnings) if illness or injury prevents you from working. But policies vary hugely in their deferred periods, payout terms, occupation definitions and premium rates. An independent broker compares the whole market to find the policy that gives you the best protection for the lowest premium.
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Up to 70% of salary
Replaces your income so your family's life doesn't stop because you're ill.
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Occupation definitions
'Own occupation' definitions pay if you can't do your specific job — the gold standard your broker will seek.
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Deferred period choice
Choose when payments start (4, 8, 13, 26 or 52 weeks) to match your sick pay entitlement and savings.
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Long-term cover
Policies can pay until retirement age — not just for 1 or 2 years like many cheaper alternatives.
Every adviser matched by Nesto is independently FCA-authorised and regulated
Ready to find your perfect Income Protection Broker?
"I'd been putting off finding a income protection adviser for years. Nesto matched me in literally two minutes and the adviser they found was brilliant — saved me thousands."
Sarah M.
London · Income Protection Broker customer
★★★★★
"The adviser Nesto matched me with was incredibly knowledgeable and patient. He explained everything clearly and found me a deal I never would have found on my own."
James K.
Manchester · Income Protection Broker customer
★★★★★
"I was sceptical about using a matching service but Nesto was genuinely impressive. Free, fast, and the adviser they found was a total expert. Highly recommend."
Priya S.
Birmingham · Income Protection Broker customer
Simple Process
How Nesto works
Getting matched takes under 2 minutes. Here's the process:
1
Tell us what you need
Answer a few quick questions about your situation so we can understand exactly what kind of income protection adviser you need.
2
Get matched instantly
Our matching engine connects you with the best-fit, FCA-regulated Income Protection Broker from our vetted adviser panel.
3
Get expert advice — free
Your adviser contacts you within 24 hours to arrange a free initial consultation with no obligation to proceed.
Cover the gap between sick pay and your salary for as long as you're unable to work.
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Self-employed
No employer sick pay to fall back on — income protection is essential for the self-employed.
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Mortgage protection
Ensure your mortgage is covered if illness prevents you from earning.
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Professionals
High-quality 'own occupation' policies for doctors, lawyers, engineers and other professionals.
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Active occupations
Cover for manual workers and those with active occupations where injury risk is higher.
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Maternity planning
Income protection that works alongside maternity leave provisions.
Got Questions?
Frequently asked questions about Income Protection Brokers
Income protection pays a regular monthly income (typically 50–70% of your salary) if you're unable to work due to illness or injury. Payments continue until you return to work, reach the end of the policy term, or retire.
You can insure up to 70% of your pre-tax income. The right amount depends on your essential monthly outgoings. Your broker will calculate the minimum you need to maintain your lifestyle.
Income protection pays monthly if you can't work — regardless of the condition. Critical illness pays a lump sum if you're diagnosed with a specific listed condition. They serve different purposes and ideally you'd have both.
The waiting period between being unable to work and payments starting. Common options are 4, 8, 13, 26 and 52 weeks. A longer deferral means lower premiums — match it to your employer sick pay or emergency fund.
The best definition available — payments start if you can't perform your specific occupation. 'Any occupation' only pays if you can't do any work at all, which is much harder to qualify for.
Absolutely — and it's even more important. The self-employed have no employer sick pay to fall back on. Your broker will find policies that correctly assess your self-employed income.
Often yes, though the condition itself may be excluded. Some specialist insurers offer cover with a premium loading rather than an exclusion. Your broker will identify the best options.
Based on age, occupation, health, deferred period, benefit amount and policy term. Higher-risk occupations pay more. Premiums can be guaranteed (fixed for life) or reviewable (can change).
Policies typically allow a 'linked claim' if you return to work and then relapse with the same condition within a specified period (usually 6–12 months) — payments restart without a new deferred period.
State benefits (like ESA) may be reduced if you have income protection payments. Your broker will help you structure the policy correctly to minimise any loss of benefits.
Premiums are paid from net income, so payouts are tax-free. Some employer-provided schemes work differently — your broker will clarify the tax treatment for your specific situation.
No. Short-term policies pay for a maximum of 1–2 years per claim. Long-term policies pay until retirement if necessary. Long-term is almost always better value for those who can afford it.
Short-term policies pay for 1–2 years. Long-term policies pay until you recover, retire, or die — whichever comes first. For most working-age people, a long-term policy provides the right safety net. A broker recommends the right term based on your financial commitments.
The deferred period (also called the waiting period) is how long you must be off work before the policy pays out — typically 4, 8, 13, 26, or 52 weeks. A longer deferred period reduces premiums. A broker matches the deferred period to your employer sick pay and savings buffer.
Most modern income protection policies do cover mental health conditions — depression, anxiety, burnout — provided they're not pre-existing or excluded at outset. Mental health is now one of the most common causes of claim. A broker identifies policies with the strongest mental health definitions.
Still have questions? Your matched adviser will answer them all — for free.
Answer a few quick questions and we'll match you with a qualified, FCA-regulated adviser suited to your exact situation — completely free, no obligation.
