What to expect during income protection underwriting
When you apply for income protection, the insurer assesses your application to decide whether to offer cover and on what terms. This process is called underwriting. It helps the insurer understand how likely you are to make a claim and ensures that your premiums reflect the level of risk involved. The process is straightforward but can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the information required.
- Application form: You’ll be asked for detailed information about your occupation, income, working pattern, and health history. Lifestyle questions may cover topics such as alcohol use, exercise habits, and any dangerous activities you take part in. It’s vital to answer honestly and accurately — if anything important is omitted, a future claim could be delayed or even declined.
- Medical evidence: For most applications, the insurer will rely on your medical disclosures. However, if you’re older, applying for a high level of cover, or have an existing health condition, they may request a medical report from your GP or invite you for a nurse screening. Occasionally, blood tests, height and weight checks, or additional medical exams may be needed for larger benefit amounts.
- Occupation class: Your job plays a major role in determining your premium. Office-based professionals, consultants, and contractors in non-manual roles are generally placed in lower-risk categories and pay less. Manual workers or those operating in higher-risk environments, such as engineering or construction, may pay higher premiums or have limited cover options.
- Lifestyle factors: Smoking, high body mass index (BMI), certain medical conditions, or high-risk hobbies like climbing or motor racing can all increase your premium. In some cases, the insurer may apply exclusions — for example, removing cover for a pre-existing back or mental health condition — rather than refusing cover altogether.
Possible underwriting outcomes
Once the insurer has reviewed your application, they’ll either:
- Offer cover at the standard rate (no changes to price or terms),
- Offer cover with a higher premium or specific exclusions,
- Postpone the decision until further medical evidence is received, or
- Decline the application if the risk is too high under their criteria.
Underwriting decisions can vary between insurers — one may accept a condition another declines — so it’s worth applying through an independent financial adviser or specialist broker. They can identify which insurers are more flexible about certain medical histories or professions and can often present your application in a way that improves your chances of acceptance.
Once your policy is approved and on risk, it’s important to keep it up to date. If your income, job role, or company structure changes — for example, moving from personal to company-funded cover — let your adviser know so your policy remains suitable and your future claims aren’t affected. For more information about eligibility, see who can get income protection, or get a quote to compare policies.