Income Protection Action Week: why affordable income protection is vital amid rising accident-related disabilities

As Income Protection Action Week reaches its second day, National Friendly highlights the growing concerns among clients about the financial fallout from accidents and long-term illness. For advisers, these findings present a crucial opportunity to deepen conversations around income protection.

With over a quarter of workers experiencing accidents leading to long-term health issues or unplanned time off work, there’s a clear need to promote affordable, accessible protection products that safeguard clients’ financial futures.

Graham Singleton, CEO of National Friendly, comments:  “National Friendly’s Friendly’s Bruised Britain research last November found that almost half of British adults who are fearful of having an accident (26%) cite worries about their recovery, and a third (34%) fear a permanent disability that could impact their future career or earnings, rising to 41% of adults under 35. In fact, the study did find that over one in seven (15%) British adults who experienced an accident in the past three years now live with a long-term disability or health condition as a result, rising to 23% of under-35s.

Almost a third (29%) fear not being able to work or risk losing their income or job if they have an accident (36% of adults under 35).  We also found that over half (57%) of workers who’ve had an accident in the last three years had to take unplanned time off, climbing to almost three-quarters (71%) of those under-35. 

These findings underscore the importance of affordable, accessible income protection products, which offer peace of mind and financial security.”