Income Protection

If you couldn't work for six months, what would actually pay your bills?

A plain-English breakdown of how income protection replaces earnings if you can't work, and where the definitions matter more than the price.

Book a free 15-minute call
No obligation. No spam. Just a straight conversation.
RE5 qualified adviser
Accredited with multiple leading South African providers
The basics

What's actually covered — and what isn't

Covered — Monthly income replacement

A regular payout if illness or injury stops you from working, according to your policy's definition.

Not covered — Pre-existing conditions

Conditions disclosed at application are often excluded or loaded, not silently covered.

Covered — Own-occupation definitions on some policies

Pays out if you can't do your specific job, even if you could do another.

Not covered — Voluntary unemployment or retrenchment

Income protection responds to illness and injury, not job loss.

Covered — Inflation-linked increases on some structures

Cover and premium can rise together to maintain real value over time.

Not covered — Claims during the deferred period

No payout during the initial waiting period after you stop working.

Cover gap check

The four gaps that surface only at claim stage

Deferred period longer than your bufferA 3-month waiting period is meaningless if your savings only cover 6 weeks.
Cover based on gross, not net incomeClaims are often taxed differently, so the payout may be less than expected in hand.
Variable income not properly assessedBusiness owners and commission earners need income averaged correctly at application.
Definition never confirmedOwn-occupation vs any-occupation wording can completely change whether a claim is paid.
Pricing factors

What actually moves your premium

Factor 01

Occupation category

Higher-risk occupations are priced in a different risk class to desk-based roles.

Factor 02

Age at application

Premiums increase with age at the point cover is taken out.

Factor 03

Deferred period chosen

A longer waiting period before payouts start usually lowers the premium.

Factor 04

Benefit period

Cover to a set age or to retirement changes the overall cost significantly.

Factor 05

Smoker status

Smokers are rated differently, as with most risk-based cover.

15 minutes. No pressure. Just clarity.

We'll check your deferred period against your actual savings buffer, and confirm the occupation definition that applies to you.

How it works

Three steps, start to finish

Book a 15-minute call

Pick a slot that works for you — no forms to fill in first.

We review your situation

Your current cover, your goals, your budget — a proper needs analysis, not a quote bot.

You get a clear recommendation

Only once I understand your situation — never before.

Questions

Common questions

Is this page giving me financial advice?

No. This page is educational only. Personalised advice only happens after a proper needs analysis on a call, as required under South African financial services regulation.

How is this different from disability cover?

Income protection pays an ongoing monthly income while you can't work; disability cover typically pays a single lump sum for permanent impairment.

What's a deferred period?

The waiting period after you stop working, before your monthly payments actually begin.