Private Client
Income protection advice for clients whose earnings support their family, lifestyle or business.
Trusted Union helps private clients review income protection and disability income insurance in the context of earnings, occupation, family commitments, business ownership and long-term financial resilience.
For many clients, their ability to earn is one of their most important financial assets.
A serious illness or injury may not cause death, but it can still interrupt income for months or years. This can place pressure on mortgages, school fees, family expenses, business commitments and long-term savings.
Trusted Union helps clients review income protection options and understand how deferred periods, benefit periods, occupation definitions and underwriting conditions affect real-world protection.
Key Areas We Support
How we support you across the area.
01
Professional Income Protection
Advice for employed professionals, executives and consultants with family and lifestyle commitments linked to earned income.
02
Founder & Business Owner Income Risk
Review of personal income protection needs for founders and business owners whose earnings depend on their ability to work.
03
Deferred Periods
Review of waiting periods before benefits begin and how these align with savings, sick pay or employer benefits.
04
Benefit Periods
Advice on short-term versus long-term benefit structures and how long income may need protection.
05
Occupation Definitions
Review of own occupation, suited occupation and other definitions that affect claim outcomes.
06
Integration With Other Cover
How income protection fits with medical insurance, critical illness, life insurance and company benefits.
What Trusted Union Reviews
A structured review, item by item.
Where the information is available, a review typically looks across the following.
- Income level and source of earnings
- Employment, self-employment or founder status
- Existing employer benefits and sick pay
- Deferred period and emergency cash buffer
- Benefit amount and benefit period
- Occupation definition and claim wording
- Medical underwriting and exclusions
- Interaction with life, critical illness and medical insurance
The Trusted Union Approach
Personal protection reviewed as a whole — health, life, income and the assets that matter.
Why It Matters
Why a structured review matters.
Income protection is often overlooked because clients focus on death or medical costs. But for many families, long-term inability to work may be one of the most financially disruptive risks.
The quality of the policy wording matters. A lower-cost policy may use a more restrictive occupation definition and provide narrower protection than a client expects.
Why Trusted Union
Advice held to a consistent standard.
Trusted Union helps clients consider income protection in plain, practical terms: what income would stop, when pressure would begin and how long support may be needed.
We help compare insurer options and policy structures so clients understand the trade-offs before applying.
Common Questions
Questions we’re often asked.
Who should consider income protection?
Professionals, executives, consultants, founders and business owners whose income supports family expenses, debt, school fees or long-term savings.
What is a deferred period?
The deferred period is the waiting period before benefits become payable. Longer deferred periods may reduce premium but require more savings or employer sick pay support.
What does own occupation mean?
Own occupation generally means the policy considers whether you can perform your own job, not just any job. Exact definitions vary by insurer and wording.
Is income protection the same as critical illness?
No. Critical illness usually pays a lump sum for specified conditions. Income protection usually pays a regular benefit if illness or injury prevents you from working, subject to the policy terms.
What is income protection?
Income protection is designed to replace part of a client’s income if illness or injury prevents them from working, subject to the policy terms. Unlike critical illness cover, which usually pays a lump sum for specified conditions, income protection is usually linked to the ability to work and may pay a regular benefit after a deferred period.
What is a benefit period?
The benefit period is the maximum length of time the policy may pay benefits for a valid claim. Some policies may pay for a short fixed period, while others may provide longer support. The right benefit period depends on the client’s savings, family responsibilities, employer sick pay, occupation and budget.
How much income can be protected?
Insurers usually limit the benefit to a percentage of earned income and may require financial evidence. The aim is to provide meaningful support without exceeding the insurer’s allowable replacement ratio.
How is income protection different from employer sick pay?
Employer sick pay may only continue for a limited period and may depend on employment status. Income protection can provide a separate layer of personal cover, but eligibility, benefit amount and claims terms depend on underwriting and policy wording.
Why is income protection important for founders or self-employed clients?
Founders, consultants and self-employed clients may not have the same employer sick pay or employee benefits as salaried employees. If their income stops, the pressure can affect family expenses, mortgage payments, business commitments and long-term savings.
What should be checked before applying?
Clients should review occupation definition, deferred period, benefit period, maximum benefit amount, exclusions, premium structure, claims process, financial evidence requirements and whether the policy covers illness, accident or both.
Request a Confidential Review
Request a Confidential Review.
Start with a structured conversation about the area of insurance you would like to review.
Request a Confidential Review