Own occupation income protection

Incapacity refers to the inability to do something and, in the case of income protection, this refers to the inability to work (due to accident or sickness).

There are different definitions of incapacity and you’ll have the option to choose which one you’d like to be covered for.

Some definitions will provide greater levels of cover than others so it’s important to choose wisely.

The best definition of incapacity for you will depend on your own personal circumstances.

Own occupation provides the most comprehensive cover as you won’t be asked to do any other job, you’ll simply be able to claim if you’re unable to perform your usual role.

For this reason, an own occupation income protection policy is widely recommended by financial protection experts.

However, there are some cases where an own occupation policy may not be suitable.

For example, those with occupations that are considered higher risk may struggle to secure a policy with an own occupation definition.

In this instance, a suited tasks or any occupation policy may be more beneficial.

While these definitions of incapacity may be less straightforward for those with low risk jobs, for those with high risk jobs (for example, very manual and physically demanding jobs) the type of illness or injuries sustained may fit into these definitions.

Income protection isn’t a one size fits all product so it’s best to discuss your needs with an expert who can provide you with details of the most suitable options.

Reassured can talk through your personal circumstances to help you find the right policy to meet all of your needs.

While own occupation income protection provides the greatest level of cover, the income protection you need will be the policy that meets your needs and is at a price within your budget.

Policies with a less comprehensive definition of incapacity may have slightly lower premiums (due to the lower level of cover) so if you’re on a budget this it can be more appealing to opt for a suited tasks or any occupation policy.

Those with occupations that are considered to be more high risk (such as those with manual jobs) may not always be able to secure a policy with an own occupation definition and therefore may need to secure a policy with a suited tasks or any occupation policy.

Income protection applications are often judged on a case-by-case scenario and by speaking to an expert, such as Reassured, you’ll be given the details of the policy that is most suited to your needs.

Reassured can provide policies with own occupation, suited tasks and any occupation definitions of incapacity.

Unlike some other forms of cover, income protection doesn’t have a specific list of illnesses or injuries listed within the policy.

This means you’re able to make a claim for any illness or injury that prevents you from working for a long period of time.

The only conditions you won’t be covered for are pre-existing medical conditions, self-inflicted injuries or any illness or injury that’s as a result of drug or alcohol misuse.