Income Protection for Airline Pilots
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.
Key facts at a glance
- Profession
- Pilot
- Recommended priority cover
- Income Protection / Loss of Licence
- Typical benefit
- ≈ £8,750/mo — Example benefit on a ~£150,000 income (up to ~70%)
- Adviser
- FCA-regulated, whole-of-market UK broker
Reviewed by the LifeInsuranceForMe advice team · Last updated June 2026 · FCA-regulated UK broker
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.
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
Why It Matters
The Risks Pilots Need to Plan For
Flying for a living is uniquely medical-certificate dependent — and the income is high and hard to replace.
Loss of medical certificate
A condition that fails your Class 1 medical can ground you — and end your income — instantly.
High income to replace
A captain or first officer income is substantial and difficult to replace.
Fatigue & mental health
Long-haul rosters and time-zone disruption affect long-term health.
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.
Income Protection / Loss of Licence
Replaces up to ~70% of income if a medical condition or injury stops you flying — including loss of your medical certificate.
Life Insurance
Substantial cover to protect your family and clear large mortgages.
Critical Illness Cover
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.
Loss of licence expertise
We arrange cover specifically designed around aviation medical loss.
High-income specialists
Large monthly benefits to match a pilot income.
Worldwide cover
Policies that respond wherever your roster takes you.
"Pilots live and die by the Class 1 medical. LifeInsuranceForMe arranged loss of licence and income protection that finally covers the risk that actually matters to us."
FAQs
Pilot Insurance — Your Questions Answered
Life Insurance & Income Protection
Pilot FAQs — Life Insurance & Income Protection
Common questions UK pilots ask about protecting their income and family.
Get Your Quote
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What cover are you interested in? (Select all that apply)
🛡️ Life Insurance
Lump sum for your family if you die
💷 Income Protection
Replace up to 70% of income if ill
❤️🩹 Critical Illness
Lump sum on diagnosis
🏠 Mortgage Protection
Clear your mortgage if you die
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