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Yes, income protection can cover time off work due to mental health conditions.
If your symptoms prevent you from working and you meet the policy’s definition of incapacity, you may be able to claim and receive monthly payments until you can return, or until the benefit period ends.
Claims relating to stress, anxiety, depression and burnout are among the most common on modern income protection policies.
How Does Cover for Mental Health Work?
When you take out income protection insurance, the insurer will ask questions about your mental health history.
If you’ve had previous issues, they may offer full cover, cover with exclusions, or adjust the terms slightly depending on your individual circumstances.
If your policy includes mental health cover and you become too unwell to work, you may be able to make a claim.
Most policies require evidence such as a GP’s note or specialist diagnosis, and you’ll need to meet the definition of incapacity agreed in your policy documents.
Once your deferred period (the waiting time before payments begin) has passed, you’ll usually receive a monthly benefit that replaces part of your income until you’re able to return to work.
Will Pre-Existing Mental Health Conditions Be Covered?
It depends on the insurer and your history. Some insurers will offer full cover even if you’ve had previous mental health challenges, while others may add a temporary or permanent exclusion.
For example, someone with mild anxiety that hasn’t led to time off work in recent years may be offered standard terms.
In contrast, someone with more recent or severe symptoms might find that certain conditions are excluded.
Your protection advisor will compare different insurers and check which provider is most likely to offer sympathetic underwriting based on your medical history.
Common Mental Health Conditions That May Be Covered
Insurers can cover a wide range of mental health conditions, depending on the individual and the policy. These may include:
- Stress-related conditions
- Generalised anxiety disorder
- Depression
- PTSD
- Panic disorders
- Work-related burnout
- Adjustment disorders
Policies may use different terminology, and some conditions may require confirmation from a GP or mental health specialist.
In some cases, a period of counselling or treatment may be recommended before returning to work.
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What Happens When You Claim?
If you’re unable to work due to mental health, you’ll need to contact the insurer and begin the claims process.
They will usually ask for a completed claim form, medical evidence and possibly an update from your employer or GP.
If approved, you’ll begin receiving monthly payments after the deferred period. These payments continue either until you return to work, reach the end of your benefit period, or the policy itself ends.
Some insurers may also offer additional support services such as counselling, rehab programmes or structured return-to-work plans as part of your claim.
Why Speak to a Protection Advisor?
Mental health cover can vary widely between insurers. One provider may offer exclusions for past conditions, while another may accept your application with full cover and no increase in cost.
Your protection advisor will take the time to understand your situation, explore your medical history in a sensitive and confidential way.
They’ll also match you with an insurer that’s most likely to offer the right terms for you.
We’ll explain what is covered, what evidence you might need to claim, and how the policy works if your mental health prevents you from working in the future.
You’ll also have someone to speak to if anything needs reviewing later on.
