Your career hinges on your Class 1 medical. Lose it and your income can stop overnight. We arrange pilot income protection and loss of licence cover built around that risk.
Pilots can usually get own-occupation income protection, but most insurers will not offer Personal Sick Pay, and helicopter or air-ambulance flying is often declined. Loss-of-licence cover is what fills the gap for flight crew.
INCOME PROTECTION — YOUR #1 PRIORITY
Lose your Class 1 medical — and lose your income
For pilots, the single biggest financial risk isn't death — it's losing your medical certificate. Income protection and loss of licence cover replace your income if a medical condition grounds you.
Covers loss of your aviation medical certificate
Replace up to ~70% of a high income, tax-free
Own-occupation cover designed for professional pilots
Suitable for airline employees and self-employed pilots
≈ £8,750/mo
Example benefit on a ~£150,000 income (up to ~70%)
Flying for a living is uniquely medical-certificate dependent — and the income is high and hard to replace.
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Loss of medical certificate
A condition that fails your Class 1 medical can ground you — and end your income — instantly.
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High income to replace
A captain or first officer income is substantial and difficult to replace.
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Fatigue & mental health
Long-haul rosters and time-zone disruption affect long-term health.
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Global working
Time spent flying worldwide needs cover that works internationally.
Recommended Cover
The Right Protection for Pilots
Based on the specific risks of your profession, here's what we typically recommend — ranked by priority.
TOP PRIORITY
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Income Protection / Loss of Licence
★ Top priority for pilots
Replaces up to ~70% of income if a medical condition or injury stops you flying — including loss of your medical certificate.
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Life Insurance
High-value family cover
Substantial cover to protect your family and clear large mortgages.
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Critical Illness Cover
Lump sum on diagnosis
A tax-free sum on diagnosis of a serious illness.
Why Your Job Is Different
How We Get Pilots a Better Deal
Mainstream insurers often misprice or misunderstand your profession. Here's how we fix that.
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Loss of licence expertise
We arrange cover specifically designed around aviation medical loss.
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High-income specialists
Large monthly benefits to match a pilot income.
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Worldwide cover
Policies that respond wherever your roster takes you.
Already covered?
Two policies at the same price can pay out very differently
If you already have life insurance, critical illness or income protection, get a free plain-English review — what it does well, where it's weak, and what switching would gain and lose you.
It pays out if you lose your aviation medical certificate due to a medical condition — the key risk for professional pilots.
Does income protection cover loss of my medical?
Yes — with the right pilot-specific policy, losing your Class 1 medical is a valid claim.
How much can I protect?
Typically up to ~70% of income — on a £150k income that's around £8,750/month, tax-free.
Are self-employed and contract pilots covered?
Yes — we tailor cover for airline employees, contractors and self-employed pilots.
Life Insurance & Income Protection
Pilot FAQs — Life Insurance & Income Protection
Common questions UK pilots ask about protecting their income and family.
What is loss of licence cover for pilots?
It pays out if you lose your aviation medical certificate due to a medical condition — the single biggest financial risk for a professional pilot.
Does income protection cover loss of my Class 1 medical?
Yes. With the right pilot-specific policy, losing your medical certificate is a valid claim and the benefit replaces your income.
How much income protection can a pilot get?
Typically up to around 70% of earnings tax-free — on a £150,000 income that is roughly £8,750 a month. We arrange the higher benefit levels pilots need.
Are self-employed and contract pilots covered?
Yes. We tailor cover for airline employees, contractors and self-employed pilots, and ensure it works internationally.
Does flying worldwide affect my cover?
We place pilots with insurers whose policies respond wherever your roster takes you, so global flying is not a problem.
How much life insurance does a pilot need?
Usually enough to clear large mortgages and protect family lifestyle; we arrange substantial cover priced for the profession.
Role-Specific Detail
Pilot-specific questions, answered properly
The operational detail that decides claims for pilots — sick pay schemes, licences, contracts and the wording that matters.
What is the difference between loss of licence cover and income protection?
Loss of licence cover responds specifically to losing your aviation medical certificate for medical reasons, often paying a lump sum or defined benefit. Income protection responds more broadly to illness or injury that stops you working. Many pilots hold both, because each catches situations the other can miss.
Does my UK CAA Class 1 medical failing automatically trigger a claim?
Under a pilot-specific policy, loss of the Class 1 through a medical condition is normally the trigger. Under a general income protection policy it depends entirely on the wording — some assess whether you can work at all rather than whether you can fly, which is why the definition must be checked before you buy.
Is the loss of licence scheme through my airline or association enough on its own?
Often not. Scheme benefits are typically capped, may be a lump sum rather than an ongoing income, and usually end when you leave that employer. Many pilots use a personal policy to top up scheme cover and to provide continuity if they change airline.
Are commercial helicopter pilots and instructors treated the same as airline pilots?
No. Fixed-wing commercial airline flying is the most readily quotable; helicopter operations, aerial work, instruction and offshore transfer flying are assessed more cautiously and some are declined by mainstream insurers. The type of flying matters more than the licence held.
Does a type rating bond or training debt affect what cover I need?
It does not affect eligibility, but it often affects the amount. Pilots carrying training debt or a bonded type rating frequently increase life and income cover so the liability does not fall on family if they cannot fly. It is worth quantifying the debt when setting the benefit.
Can cadet and low-hours pilots get cover?
Yes, and arranging it early is usually cheaper because premiums rise with age. Some insurers prefer a minimum number of hours or a commercial contract in place before offering full terms, so a broker can be useful in finding the right insurer at the start of a career.
Does a mental health diagnosis end a flying career?
Not necessarily — aeromedical practice allows for assessment, treatment and return to flying in many cases, subject to regulatory criteria. From an insurance perspective, a policy with mental health cover can provide income during any period you are unable to fly while that process runs its course.