Income Protection

Protect your income if illness or injury stops you working

Income protection insurance replaces a portion of your earnings if illness or injury stops you working. It can pay a monthly benefit while you cannot work, or, with disability and dread disease cover, a lump sum for permanent disability or a serious diagnosis. Your ability to earn is your biggest asset, and this cover protects it.

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Income Protection Insurance in South Africa

Income protection
Disability cover
Dread disease cover

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Last reviewed 28 July 2026 · by the Savvy Insurance editorial team

What's covered

Ways to protect your income

Income protection

Pays a monthly income, often up to around 75 percent of your salary, while illness or injury stops you working.

Disability cover

Pays a lump sum if you become permanently disabled and can no longer work, depending on the definition.

Dread disease cover

Pays a lump sum on diagnosis of a listed serious illness such as cancer, a heart attack or a stroke.

Why it matters

Why income protection matters

Your ability to earn is worth more over a career than any single asset you own.
Illness or injury can stop your income at any time, while your costs carry on.
It is especially important for the self-employed, who have no employer sick pay.

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At a glance

Income protection
Disability cover
Dread disease cover

Guides

Income protection guides

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FAQ

Income protection questions

What is the difference between income protection and disability cover?

Income protection pays a monthly income while illness or injury stops you working, including temporary conditions, and stops when you recover. Disability cover pays a lump sum if you become permanently disabled. One replaces income over time; the other pays out once for permanent loss. Many people hold both.

How much income does income protection pay?

It replaces a portion of your earnings, commonly up to about 75 percent, paid monthly while you cannot work. Insurers keep it below your full income so there is an incentive to return to work. The exact percentage and any caps depend on the policy, so check the terms.

Do the self-employed need income protection?

Often more than employees do. The self-employed usually have no employer sick leave, so if illness or injury stops them working, the income can stop immediately. Income protection replaces part of their earnings after a waiting period, which makes it especially important for freelancers, contractors and business owners.

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