Can you claim income protection for long COVID?
In most cases, yes — if your income protection policy was taken out before you contracted COVID-19, and long COVID genuinely prevents you from working, your policy should pay out.
Long COVID is not specifically excluded by most mainstream UK income protection insurers. It's treated like any other debilitating illness: if you can't do your job as a result, you should be able to claim.
What if I already had COVID before taking out cover?
This is where it gets complicated. If you had COVID-19 or were experiencing long COVID symptoms before you took out the policy, the insurer may treat long COVID as a pre-existing condition and exclude it from your cover. Always answer application questions honestly.
How would an insurer assess a long COVID claim?
Insurers require medical evidence — typically from your GP and potentially a specialist. For long COVID, common symptoms that might support a claim include:
- Severe fatigue and post-exertional malaise
- Cognitive impairment ("brain fog")
- Breathlessness and chest pain
- Neurological symptoms
The claim would be assessed against your policy's definition of inability to work — "own occupation" definitions (meaning you can't do YOUR specific job) are most favourable.
What if my claim is rejected?
If you believe your claim has been unfairly rejected, you can escalate to the insurer's complaints procedure and, if unresolved, to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). Long COVID claims are being increasingly recognised by the FOS.
What if I don't have income protection?
If long COVID prevents you from working and you don't have income protection, your options include Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), Universal Credit, and — if the condition is severe enough — Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be. If long COVID has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal daily activities, it may qualify as a disability under the Equality Act 2010.
For new applicants who have had long COVID, some insurers may load premiums or add exclusions. It's worth using a specialist broker to find the best terms.
If you have a long-term policy, it can pay until you recover, retire, or reach the end of the policy term. Short-term policies typically cap payments at 12–24 months.