Income Protection for Doctors & GPs
Your earning power is your most valuable asset. We arrange high-income protection that replaces up to 70% of a consultant or GP income if illness or injury stops you working.
Key facts at a glance
- Profession
- Doctor
- Recommended priority cover
- Income Protection
- Typical benefit
- ≈ £7,000/mo — Example monthly benefit on a £120,000 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
Doctors usually qualify for full own-occupation cover across income protection and critical illness, and many insurers offer an NHS sick-pay guarantee for GMC-registered medics. The strongest terms are reserved for clinicians, so the right placement matters.
What happens to a £120,000 income if you can't work?
GP partners and locums get no employer sick pay, and even salaried NHS doctors see pay drop sharply after months off. Income protection replaces a large share of your earnings — month after month — until you recover or retire.
- Replace up to ~70% of earnings, tax-free, on a high income
- Own-occupation cover — paid if you can't work as a doctor specifically
- Index-linked so your benefit keeps pace with your income
- Covers self-employed GP partners and locums with no sick pay
Why It Matters
The Risks Doctors Need to Plan For
For a high-earning doctor, the single biggest financial risk is losing the ability to earn. Here's what to protect.
A high income to replace
A consultant or GP income is hard to replace — income protection maintains your lifestyle and commitments if illness strikes.
No sick pay for partners
GP partners and locums have no employer safety net — protection is entirely your responsibility.
Burnout & stress
Long hours and high pressure make mental-health-inclusive income protection essential, not optional.
Larger mortgages & outgoings
Higher earners carry bigger mortgages and school fees that depend on your monthly income continuing.
Recommended Cover
The Right Protection for Doctors
Based on the specific risks of your profession, here's what we typically recommend — ranked by priority.
Income Protection
Replaces up to 70% of a high income, month after month, if you can't work — vital for GP partners and locums with no sick pay. Own-occupation and indexed.
Critical Illness Cover
A significant tax-free sum on diagnosis of cancer, heart attack or another serious condition — funds treatment and time off.
Life Insurance
Substantial cover to clear large mortgages and protect family lifestyle and school fees if the worst happens.
Why Your Job Is Different
How We Get Doctors a Better Deal
Mainstream insurers often misprice or misunderstand your profession. Here's how we fix that.
High-income protection specialists
We arrange large monthly benefits and £1m+ policies, handling the additional underwriting smoothly.
Own-occupation as standard
You're paid if you can't work as a doctor — not just any job — which matters most for specialists.
Indexed cover
We build in inflation protection so your benefit keeps pace with your income over a long career.
"As a GP partner I had zero sick pay and a big mortgage. They set up income protection that replaces most of my income if I'm ever off long-term. Finally sleeping at night."
FAQs
Doctor Insurance — Your Questions Answered
Life Insurance & Income Protection
Doctor FAQs — Life Insurance & Income Protection
Common questions UK doctors ask about protecting their income and family.
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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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