How income is proven
Salary, drawings, dividends, and business profit are treated differently at claim time, which is why the structure is discussed early.
Self-employed income protection
A review path when there is no sick leave behind you.
Self-employed people carry income risk personally. Income protection conversations usually turn on how income is proven, how long you could self-fund, and how your occupation is defined.
General information only. Cover depends on the PDS, TMD, eligibility, underwriting, and policy terms.
24+ years of Shahid Mohammad's insurance experience
PDS/TMD terms checked before decisions
Phone first direct Shahid Mohammad contact path
Next step quote, renewal, or advice pathway
Broker proof
Talk it through with Shahid Mohammad before you decide.
A named Insurance Time broker can help turn this cover question into a practical review path. Call Shahid Mohammad directly or book if a scheduled conversation is easier.
- 24+ years of Shahid Mohammad's insurance experience behind broker-led conversations.
- PDS, TMD, eligibility, underwriting and policy terms stay central.
Self-employed review
Three questions that shape most conversations.
How long you could self-fund
The waiting period is generally the biggest lever on cost, and it depends on savings, business reserves, and fixed commitments.
How your occupation is defined
Own occupation and any occupation definitions can change how a claim is assessed, which matters more when your trade is specialised.
What it is meant to do
Cover aimed at replacing part of an income, not all of it.
Income protection generally pays a monthly benefit while you are unable to work due to illness or injury, for a defined period, after a defined wait.
A monthly benefit
Usually a percentage of pre-disability income rather than the full amount, with the exact basis set out in the policy wording.
After a waiting period
Benefits generally start once a waiting period has passed, commonly ranging from a few weeks to several months.
For a benefit period
Payments run for a defined benefit period, which may be a set number of years or to a set age, depending on the policy.
Common questions
Questions worth asking before you decide.
Use the first conversation to clarify documents, timing, fees where relevant, and the policy terms that need checking before advice, quote, renewal, or claims-support steps.
Can self-employed people get income protection?
Yes, it is a common arrangement for sole traders and contractors. Eligibility, income evidence, occupation, underwriting, and the policy terms determine what is available and on what basis.
How is income assessed if my earnings vary?
Variable income is usual in self-employment, and policies set out how pre-disability income is calculated, often over an averaging period. Because this is the number a claim is measured against, it is worth understanding before you rely on the cover.
Is business expenses cover the same thing?
No. Income protection is generally aimed at your personal income, while business expenses cover is aimed at fixed operating costs continuing while you cannot work. Some self-employed people weigh both.
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Next action
Talk to a broker about this cover question.
Call Shahid Mohammad, book a short review, or use the contact page about income protection for self employed questions. General information only; your options depend on the PDS, TMD, eligibility, underwriting, and policy terms.