Why do Agency Workers need income protection?
Without employer sick pay or statutory sick pay guarantees, agency workers are particularly exposed financially if illness or injury strikes. Income protection replaces up to 70% of your income while you recover.
How does income protection work for Agency Workers?
Income protection pays a percentage of your pre-illness income — usually up to 60–70% — on a monthly basis after a waiting period (called a deferred period) of 4, 8, 13, or 26 weeks. Payments continue until you return to work, reach the end of the policy term, or retire.
How much income protection do Agency Workers need?
Most agency workers should aim to replace enough income to cover essential outgoings — mortgage or rent, bills, and food. This is typically 50–70% of gross salary. Factor in any employer sick pay or state benefits you'd receive.
How much does income protection cost for Agency Workers?
Premiums vary based on age, health, occupation class, and the level of cover chosen. Agency workers are assessed in the same way as other workers. Your occupation class depends on the type of work you do rather than your employment status. Use our comparison tool to get personalised quotes from leading UK insurers.
Deferred period — what to choose
The deferred period is how long you wait before payments start. The longer the deferred period, the cheaper the premium. If you have savings or employer sick pay, a 13 or 26-week deferred period can save money. If not, a shorter period gives faster support.
Own occupation vs any occupation cover
"Own occupation" cover pays out if you can't do your specific job — widely regarded as the best definition for professional workers. "Any occupation" only pays out if you can't do any work at all. Always aim for own occupation cover where possible.
Next steps
Compare income protection policies from Aviva, Legal & General, Royal London, LV=, and Zurich. Get a personalised quote in minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Most UK insurers offer income protection to a wide range of occupations. Premiums and terms vary by insurer.
For most people, yes. If you couldn't afford your bills for more than 3 months without income, income protection is an important safety net.
Yes — most policies cover mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety, subject to the policy terms and any pre-existing condition exclusions.
It depends on the policy. Short-term policies pay for 1–2 years. Long-term policies can pay until retirement age if you're unable to return to work.