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Short Term Income Protection (Sickness) Insurance

Guarantee regular income while you’re recovering from an accident or sickness

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Home » Income Protection Insurance (short term)

Tradesman Saver’s Income Protection Cover


Our standard cover is:

  • £1 million cover for public and products liability (with an option to increase to £2 million or £5 million)
  • £10,000 cover for any financial loss (£50K cover optional)
  • Worldwide liability cover for temporary work abroad for up to 14 days (excluding the USA and Canada)

Short term income protection is an optional extra on top of our standard tradesman cover. Our income protection for contractors is valid from the date you choose your policy to start, protecting you against any medical condition that temporarily prevents you from doing your job. However, you will not be insured for any pre-existing condition, self-inflicted injuries, any injuries as a result of drug or alcohol misuse, or criminal acts. You must also have been out of work for a minimum of two weeks in order to make a claim.

Income protection insurance is available as one of our optional covers, which should be taken out alongside our automatic policy package. Our automatic covers safeguards businesses against many potentially hazardous circumstances, such as the accidental death of any staff and financial losses inflicted on a third party. You will also be covered for public liability and products liability, covering the costs of any claims made if your business activities or products injure another person. As well as this, we offer up to £250,000 worth of legal expenses.

A comprehensive insurance plan like this is the best way to protect your business against unexpected events that could force it into financial jeopardy. Under our income protection insurance, you are guaranteed either £250 a week or up to 60% of your gross weekly income, whichever is less. If this will not be enough to cover you while you’re temporarily unable to work, please contact us to arrange a separate policy.

Please note that income protection insurance is an optional cover that you can add to your policy alongside personal accident cover.

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What is short term income protection insurance?

Taking a few days off work due to an illness or injury shouldn’t do much harm, but you could find yourself running into real financial difficulties if you’re required to spend a significant period of time recovering. If you are your own boss, that means refusing jobs and losing income until you can return to work, and perhaps struggling to make important regular payments like your mortgage or rent, bills, and groceries. Income protection insurance, also known as sickness insurance, can give you the financial support you need during this time, providing regular payments until you’re able to return to work.  

Short term income protection is available as an extension to our personal accident insurance. This is short term income protection insurance which will pay out for a maximum of 12 months if you are unable to work due to illness or accident.

Why do you need income protection insurance?

Most employees rely on sick pay to cover their costs while they’re too ill to work, but if you’re self-employed, that’s simply a luxury you don’t have. There’s no automatic financial protection available which means if you’re sick or injured, you’ll have to wait until you recover before you can start earning money again. Rather than struggling to get by, our short term income protection insurance for self-employed contractors covers you until you’re back on your feet. This can be claimed for accidents, injuries, and periods of illness. 


Unlike public liability, short term income protection insurance is not an automatic cover, it is an optional extension under all Tradesman Saver policies.

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Chosen by over 5000 businesses and counting *

  • Online & Anywhere

    Online & Anywhere

    We like to keep things simple. Your quote, purchase and documents are all available online, anytime.

  • Monthly Instalments

    Monthly Instalments

    Cashflow is important to every business. Spread the cost by paying in easy monthly instalments.

  • Instant Cover

    Instant Cover

    No need to wait for your documents. Our tradesman cover starts from the date you select.

  • Added protection

    Added Protection

    Public liability, products liability, financial loss, legal expenses and accidental death cover as standard.

* Total number of live policies as of 31/08/2023

Income Protection Insurance: Frequently Asked Questions

Why is income protection insurance important?

Like most small business owners, you might not be able to afford time off work, but if you become sick or unexpectedly injure yourself, you won’t have a choice, leaving you unentitled to sick pay with no money coming in as you recover. Even if you have savings in the bank, you can’t guarantee you’ll have enough to tide you over until you’re able to work again, especially if your recovery period will take a number of months. This is why income protection insurance for contractors is so important. If you suddenly find yourself unable to work for medical reasons, you’ll be guaranteed payment and can continue to cover all of your usual costs.

How much does income protection insurance cost?

The cost of your policy depends entirely on your lifestyle and personal circumstances. Influential factors include your age, marital status, overall health, and whether or not you’re a smoker. Your job itself is another key factor. For example, if your profession is considered more high-risk than others, this will be reflected in the final cost.  To find out how much you can expect to pay, share your details with us for a free income protection insurance quote.

Can I get income protection insurance for pre-existing conditions?

You’re still eligible for income protection if you have a pre-existing condition. However, while you can claim as many times as you need to, this insurance doesn’t cover you for any illnesses you were aware of before you took out the policy.

Will my income protection cover me for two or three days off work?

We can only pay you for unexpected illnesses and injuries if you are left unable to work for at least two weeks. After 14 days, we will begin weekly payments of £250, or 60% of your gross weekly income if this is a smaller sum.

This website is intended for customers based in the UK and is therefore subject to the UK regulatory regime(s) © Copyright 2023 Tradesman Saver | Tradesman Saver and Henry Seymour & Co. are trading names of Barkdene Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 303965) for our insurance distribution and credit broking activities. Barkdene Limited is a credit broker not a lender. You can check our financial services registration status on the Financial Services register.
Registered in England No 1842617. Registered Office – Chancery House, St Nicholas Way, Sutton, Surrey, SM1 1JB. All rights reserved.
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