What is a deferred period?
The deferred period (also called the waiting period or excess period) is the length of time you must be unable to work before your income protection policy starts paying out. Common deferred periods are 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 13 weeks, 26 weeks, and 52 weeks.
How do I choose the right deferred period?
The right deferred period depends on how long you can manage financially without income protection payments:
- 4–8 weeks — suitable if you have minimal savings and no employer sick pay
- 13–26 weeks — suitable if your employer provides full pay for 3–6 months of sick leave
- 52 weeks — suitable for NHS workers with 12 months of full sick pay entitlement
Does the deferred period apply to every claim?
Yes — the deferred period applies each time you make a new claim. If you return to work and then become ill again with the same or a different condition, the deferred period restarts. However, some policies have a linked claims provision — if you return to work for fewer than 6 months and then relapse, the deferred period may not apply again.
What happens during the deferred period?
Nothing — you manage on your sick pay, savings, or other income sources during this time. Once the deferred period ends and you're still unable to work, payments begin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most insurers offer a minimum deferred period of 4 weeks. Some specialist policies offer 1 or 2 weeks, but these are much more expensive.
Some insurers allow you to change the deferred period at renewal or at specified review dates. This is not always possible — check your policy terms.