If illness or injury stopped you coaching, training clients or delivering classes, how long could you keep paying yourself and covering your bills? For self-employed fitness professionals, the ability to work is often the business’s most important asset.
This guide explains private sick pay for the self-employed and how income protection can work for personal trainers, fitness instructors, sports coaches and other people across the UK health and fitness sector.
Can self-employed people get sick pay?
Self-employed people do not normally receive employer sick pay. Depending on their circumstances, they may qualify for limited state support, but many look for their own financial safety net. Income protection is often described in everyday language as private sick pay because it provides a regular benefit during a qualifying period of illness or injury.
Why self-employed fitness professionals can be financially exposed
Many employed people receive some sick pay from their employer. If you are self-employed, your income can reduce immediately when you cannot deliver sessions, teach classes, travel to clients or manage your business.
Savings help temporarily, but a longer absence can affect personal bills as well as gym rent, equipment finance, professional subscriptions, insurance and other business commitments.
Who could this be relevant to?
- Self-employed personal trainers
- Online fitness coaches
- Gym and studio owners
- Fitness and group-exercise instructors
- Yoga and Pilates teachers
- Strength and conditioning coaches
- Running, cycling and swimming coaches
- Sports coaches and activity instructors
- Massage, wellbeing and movement professionals
- Freelance health and fitness specialists
What is private sick pay or income protection?
Income protection is designed to pay a regular benefit if illness or injury prevents you from working and you meet the policy definition of incapacity. It is intended to replace part of your earnings rather than every pound you normally receive.
The amount payable, waiting period, claim definition and maximum claim duration depend on the policy. Cover is subject to eligibility, underwriting and the insurer’s terms.
How does private sick pay work with self-employed income?
An insurer will normally need evidence of earnings when cover is arranged or when a claim is assessed. The way income is measured can depend on whether you operate as a sole trader, partnership or limited company and how you pay yourself.
Accounts, tax calculations, payslips, salary and dividends may be relevant. A regulated adviser can help establish an appropriate benefit and explain the financial evidence the insurer may require.
What waiting period could you choose?
The waiting period is the time between becoming unable to work and the benefit beginning. Common options vary by insurer. A longer waiting period may reduce the premium, while a shorter period can provide support sooner.
Your savings, household budget, any continuing business income and existing sick-pay arrangements should influence that decision.
What does “unable to work” mean?
Policies use a definition of incapacity to decide whether a claim is payable. For someone whose role is physically demanding, it is important to understand how the insurer assesses the duties of the occupation and whether the policy uses an own-occupation or another definition.
Do not assume that any injury or diagnosis automatically leads to a payout. The policy wording and medical evidence determine whether a claim meets the definition.
Questions worth considering
- How much do you need each month for essential household costs?
- How long would your savings last?
- Which business expenses would continue if you stopped working?
- Could another trainer cover your clients, and would you still be paid?
- What income can you evidence?
- How soon would you need a benefit to begin?
- How long would you want a valid claim to be payable?
Income protection is different from life and critical illness cover
Life insurance is designed primarily to pay following death during the policy term. Critical illness cover can pay a lump sum if you are diagnosed with a covered condition and meet its definition. Income protection can pay a regular benefit for a qualifying incapacity. These products address different financial risks.
- Read the complete income protection guide
- Compare income protection and critical illness cover
- Life insurance for fitness professionals
Arrange your own sick-pay safety net
You do not need to know which policy or waiting period you want. Start with your work, income and monthly commitments. A regulated protection adviser can discuss your circumstances, explain available options and make a recommendation where appropriate.
Start your ActiveJoe enquiry. It is quick to complete and there is no obligation to proceed.
Put a number on your private sick-pay gap
Estimate the essential costs you would need to meet, the continuing income available and how far your savings might stretch.
This article provides general information and is not personal financial advice. Cover is subject to eligibility, underwriting, evidence of earnings, policy definitions and terms. ActiveJoe is operated by Tailored Life Solutions Ltd. ActiveJoe itself does not provide financial advice; regulated advice is provided by Tailored Life Solutions Ltd advisers.