Content Writer
Former Senior Protection Advisor
Planning ahead for financial stability when you’re pregnant is crucial, as you may face complications or need more time off work than your maternity leave provides. Here, we’ll explore whether you can use income protection insurance for pregnancy as a safety net, and what you should know about the financial support available.
Does income protection cover pregnancy?
Typically, income protection insurance doesn’t cover normal pregnancies or maternity leave. This is because planning for a child is considered an expected life event. Whereas, income protection insurance policies are designed only to protect you from unexpected events resulting from illness or injury.
However, if complications during or after pregnancy prevent you from working, your income protection policy might provide cover, but it depends on the insurer and the terms of your policy.
Does it cover childbirth and pregnancy complications?
Although routine pregnancy and childbirth aren’t typically covered, some serious pregnancy-related health conditions may qualify for a successful income protection claim, such as:
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Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG): Severe nausea and vomiting that lead to hospitalisation could result in payments if it interferes with your work.
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Pre-eclampsia: Unusually high blood pressure that may result in ongoing medical treatment might qualify if it stops you from working.
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Gestational diabetes: In cases where complications prevent you from returning to work, it may be covered.
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Emergency C-sections and recovery issues: If complications from giving birth extend your recovery beyond standard maternity leave, then you might be covered.
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Postnatal depression or PTSD: Some policies might cover mental health conditions. However, not all will include mental health issues following childbirth.
It’s worth keeping in mind that if you can’t work due to one of these conditions, and your policy covers it, you’d still have to wait for your agreed deferred period to pass before getting payments - which could be 4, 8, 13, 26, or 52 weeks.
What financial support is available for maternity?
Here’s a quick overview of the standard financial supports you might get during maternity in the UK:
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Employer benefits: If you were in full-time employment before you became pregnant, your benefits package with your employer might include a certain level of enhanced maternity pay. This will sometimes be full pay for a specified length of time, and then a percentage of your salary afterwards.
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Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP): If you qualify, you can get 90% of your weekly pre-tax pay for 6 weeks and then £184.03 per week (or 90% of your earnings, whichever is lower) for another 33 weeks, meaning a total of 39 weeks of financial support.
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Maternity Allowance: If you don’t qualify for SMP (perhaps because you’re self-employed), you might be able to get Maternity Allowance. This can potentially be up to £184.03 per week or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for 39 weeks.
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Universal Credit and Child Benefit: You might qualify for Universal Credit with a low household income. Also, every parent can get Child Benefit payments, which are currently set at £25.60 per week for your first child and £16.95 per week for additional children.
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Sure Start Maternity Grant: This is a one-off grant payment of £500 (that you don’t have to pay back). It’s available to low-income families having a child if you or your partner are receiving a particular benefit. It’s unavailable in Scotland, but there is an alternative, the “Pregnancy and Baby Payment”.
How our advisers can help
Financial planning and arranging income protection insurance can be challenging when you’re preparing for a newborn. To help with this burden, our expert insurance advisors can create a bespoke plan to ensure you’ve got the cover you need, during or after pregnancy.
Our insurance advisors can quickly determine the correct type of cover for your family's situation. A brief conversation lets them understand your needs, and then they can set you up with the best type of insurance policy to plug any gaps (or provide multiple policies for more comprehensive coverage).
If you’d like a free, no-obligation chat with an advisor specialising in income protection insurance for pregnancy, you can get started here:
Get bespoke protection insurance advice today
Applying for income protection on maternity leave
If you’re already on maternity leave and want to apply for standard income protection insurance, you can still get the ball rolling. However, insurers may have stipulations, such as requiring that you return to work before your policy becomes active.
Insurance providers may also want to assess your medical history and check for any pregnancy-related complications. Or, offer policies with exclusions for anything maternity-related due to a recent pregnancy.
Speaking to an adviser can help you navigate these nuances and find the best income protection option.
Does income protection pay out during maternity?
Policies won’t pay out for maternity leave, because it’s not an unexpected illness or injury. However, if you develop a medical condition that prevents you from returning to work after maternity leave, you may be eligible for payments, but it depends on your level of cover and policy terms.
Why choose Teito for your income protection needs?
Finding the best income protection isn’t always straightforward - whether that’s before, during, or after pregnancy. Your family circumstances and lifestyle will be unique, but expert support ensures you get the right cover, at a reasonable cost.
Our experienced advisors can find the most suitable and affordable income protection policy for your needs during maternity. They can do this because they have extensive knowledge of insurers who can offer the best income protection options for any type of applicant.
Here are some more of the reasons people starting families choose us to find them income protection insurance:
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We can get bespoke quotes for income protection
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Our advisors have 5-star ratings on leading review sites
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Your first chat is free, with no obligation to proceed
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Access to specialist insurers with exclusive deals
Ready to take advantage of a free, no-obligation chat with an advisor specialising in income protection insurance for pregnancy? Get started here.
FAQs
You may be eligible for a combination of Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), Maternity Allowance (if you don’t qualify for SMP), Universal Credit (with a low income), Child Benefit after birth, and the Sure Start Maternity Grant (if eligible).
Choosing an Adviser
Selecting a qualified and experienced mortgage adviser is of great importance. To choose a suitable adviser, evaluate their qualifications, experience, and reputation, and ensure they are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Read reviews from previous clients and make sure they provide a clear explanation of the products and services they offer, as well as the fees and charges associated with them.