Income Protection Benefit claims
We appreciate how difficult things can be when you’re unable to work, which is why we train our team to understand your personal situation.
These FAQs have been designed to help you with any questions you have, when making an Income Protection claim. If you can't find the answer to your question, please contact us - click here.
How long will my claim take?
It’s important you contact us as soon as possible when you need to make a claim, as it can take us time to gather all the information we need. For us to fully assess your claim, we’ll need to receive all the information we request from both you and any third party (such as a Doctor). So, the time it takes to process your claim depends on how quickly we receive the relevant information from your GP / specialist or employer.
We want to avoid delays to your benefit being paid, so please help us to do this as quickly as possible. Please provide any letters that confirm your diagnoses, as this may help us progress the claim more quickly.
When will my benefit be paid?
Your benefit will be paid on a monthly basis in arrears. This means we aim to send your first payment 1 month after the end of your deferred period. This is the minimum number of weeks we’ll wait before we start paying your monthly benefit. However, this may be delayed if it takes longer for us to be notified, or to assess and approve your claim, meaning that your claim may not be paid out immediately. This is more likely if you’ve chosen a short deferred period, such as 4 or 8 weeks.
If this happens, we’ll make your first payment as soon as possible after your claim has been accepted as well as any backdated payments due in line with the terms and conditions. It’s important you consider any financial arrangements you need to make so you can continue paying your bills until your claim can be paid. If you’re experiencing financial difficulties, please let your claims assessor know.
Why have you asked for a medical report?
We need to understand the nature of your illness, to determine whether you meet the policy definitions and therefore have a valid claim. So we can assess your claim, we’ll ask you to send us details of your illness or injury. We’ll also ask for your permission to contact your doctor for medical information and ask for contact details for your doctor. Please provide this as soon as you can, so we can help you as quickly as possible.
I'm self-employed: What information will you need from me to assess my claim?
We'll need:
- Copies of your last 3 years tax returns
- Copies of your last 3 years accounts
- Copies of your last 3 years dividend statements if you’ve received them
- Copies of any fit notes or medical certificates you have
- Copies of any medical letters or reports from your medical team
I am in employment: What information will you need from me to assess my claim?
We'll need:
- Your last 3 months wage slips before your incapacity
- Your last P60 issued before your incapacity
- Your P45, if you’ve left your employment
- Copies of your last 3 years dividend statements if you’re a director of a limited company
- Copies of any fit notes or medical certificates you have
- Copies of any medical letters or reports from your medical team
How much will you pay if my claim is successful?
The amount will depend on the policy you purchased, any limitations on that policy and any other payments you're receiving. When you make a claim, we use your income from just before you became sick or injured to work out your monthly benefit. This means if you’ve changed your hours or are earning less than you were when your policy started, your monthly benefit might be lower. It’s important to regularly review your cover to make sure it still meets your needs. So, if your income increases or decreases, you may want to review your Income Protection Benefit. Please check your policy documents, or you can contact us - click here.
Do I need to cancel my direct debit?
No. Please continue to keep your policy up to date with payments. Should your claim be accepted, we'll stop the direct debit collections from our end.