What is an income protection waiting period?
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In short: The deferred period after you stop work before income protection starts paying — often 4, 8, 13, 26 or 52 weeks. Longer waiting periods mean lower premiums but you need savings or sick pay to bridge the gap.
Last reviewed:
Reviewed by Kaiser Khan
Match waiting period to employer sick pay duration where possible.
Income protection pays monthly income until return to work or policy end — unlike critical illness lump sums.
See critical illness vs income protection comparison.
Primary source: abi.org.uk/products-and-issues/topics-and-issues/protection-insurance
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