Protection Insurance That Keeps Your Family Financially Secure

Your mortgage is one of your biggest financial commitments. Protection planning helps make sure illness, loss of income, or death does not also put your home and family finances under severe pressure.

We give whole-of-market protection advice alongside your mortgage, with straightforward recommendations based on real needs rather than commission-driven product pushes.

Protection insurance advice for families and homeowners

Protection products we advise on

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Life Insurance
🏠
Mortgage Protection
🏥
Critical Illness
💷
Income Protection

All products sourced whole-of-market. We compare multiple insurers to find the right level of cover at a sensible premium.

Whole-of-market
Impartial, unbiased advice
Pre-existing conditions considered
Claims support included
Free initial consultation

Why It Matters

The Safety Net Your Family Deserves

Most people insure their car, their home, and their mobile phone. Far fewer insure their income — the single thing that pays for all of it. If you could not work tomorrow, how long could you maintain your mortgage payments?

The right protection policy means your family does not have to make devastating financial decisions on top of an already devastating situation.

  • Your mortgage continues to be paid even if you cannot work
  • Your family keeps the home if you die or become critically ill
  • You do not drain your savings or rely on state benefits
  • Peace of mind for you, and for the people who depend on you
Family at home with financial security from protection insurance

Products Explained

The Four Main Types of Protection

Each product covers a different risk. We will explain which ones make sense for your situation.

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Life Insurance

Provides a lump sum payout if you die during the policy term

Best for Anyone with a mortgage, financial dependants, or both
Types Level term (fixed payout), decreasing term (mirrors your mortgage balance), whole of life
Payout Tax-free lump sum paid to your beneficiaries — can be used to pay off the mortgage or provide ongoing income
🏠

Mortgage Protection Insurance

Specifically designed to repay your mortgage if you die or become critically ill

Best for Homeowners who want targeted cover matched to their mortgage balance
Types Decreasing term life cover, combined life and critical illness
Payout Matched to your outstanding mortgage — decreases over time in line with your balance
🏥

Critical Illness Cover

Pays a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with a specified serious illness

Best for Anyone who wants financial security following a serious diagnosis
Conditions covered Cancer, heart attack, stroke and many other serious conditions — exact list varies by insurer
Payout Tax-free lump sum on diagnosis — use it to pay off your mortgage, fund treatment, or adapt your home
💷

Income Protection Insurance

Replaces a portion of your income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury

Best for Self-employed individuals or anyone without adequate sick pay from their employer
Key benefit Pays out for as long as you are unable to work — not just for a fixed number of months
Payout Monthly income replacing up to 60-70% of your gross earnings until you recover or retire
Reviewing protection insurance levels and coverage amounts with a financial advisor

Getting the Level Right

How Much Cover Do You Need?

There is no single right answer — it depends on your mortgage balance, income, family circumstances, and existing employee benefits. Here is a practical starting framework:

Life & Mortgage Protection

  • At minimum, enough to pay off your outstanding mortgage balance
  • If you have dependants, also consider several years income to replace your earnings
  • Factor in any other debts, childcare costs, or financial goals your family has

Critical Illness Cover

  • Enough to pay off your mortgage is a good starting point
  • Consider additional funds for treatment, home adaptations, or lost income during recovery
  • Check what your employer provides — some group schemes include limited critical illness

Income Protection

  • Typically 50-70% of your gross income
  • Set the deferred period to match how long your employer pays sick pay
  • Self-employed? Start the deferred period as short as possible — day one or week one

Is This You?

Who Needs Protection Insurance?

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Homeowners

A mortgage is a long-term financial commitment. Protection ensures it continues to be serviced even when income stops — protecting both your home and your credit history.

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Families with Dependants

If other people rely on your income — children, a non-working partner — the financial consequences of something happening to you extend far beyond your mortgage payment.

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Single Income Households

When only one person is earning, there is no backup. If that income disappears, the impact is immediate and severe. Protection creates the buffer that makes you resilient.

💼

Self-Employed & Business Owners

No sick pay. No employer group scheme. If you cannot work, your income stops immediately. Income protection is not optional if you are self-employed and have a mortgage to pay.

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Buy-to-Let Landlords

A serious illness or death does not just affect your home — it affects your rental income and your ability to service investment mortgages.

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First-Time Buyers

Getting onto the property ladder is a significant achievement. Protection ensures that is where you stay, whatever life throws at you.

What About Pre-Existing Conditions?

A pre-existing medical condition does not necessarily mean you cannot get protection insurance. Many insurers will offer cover with an exclusion for the specific condition, or at a higher premium.

We work with specialist insurers who are experienced in dealing with complex medical histories. Some cover is almost always better than none.

"We had been so focused on getting the mortgage sorted that protection was an afterthought. Home Me Mortgages spent time explaining our options properly — no pressure, no upselling. When Tom had to take three months off work last year, the income protection policy they arranged paid out from the fourth week. It covered the mortgage completely."

Sarah & Tom B., Windsor

★★★★★

For a more local view of how we support homeowners and families around our office, visit our Marlow mortgage broker page or our Windsor mortgage broker page.

Why Home Me Mortgages

Protection Advice You Can Trust

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Whole-of-market

We compare dozens of insurers — not just a shortlist. Better cover, at a better price, matched to your specific circumstances.

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Mortgage & protection specialists

We arrange mortgages and protection together. We understand how the two interact and design cover around your mortgage and income profile.

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25+ years experience

We have seen what happens when families do not have appropriate protection. That experience shapes every conversation we have about insurance.

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Clear, jargon-free advice

We explain what each product actually does, what it does not cover, and what you are paying for. No jargon. No pressure.

🤝

Ongoing support

When a claim needs to be made, we are here. We support clients through the claims process — so you are not navigating it alone.

FCA regulated. Free initial consultation.

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Every recommendation is based solely on your needs and circumstances.

90+
Lenders and insurers searched
2,800+
Families protected
25+
Years experience

Common Questions

Protection Insurance FAQs

What is the difference between life insurance and mortgage protection? +
Life insurance pays a lump sum to your beneficiaries on death, which can be used for any purpose — paying off the mortgage, replacing income, funding childcare. Mortgage protection is specifically designed to repay your mortgage balance if you die, and typically has a decreasing payout that mirrors your outstanding mortgage. Mortgage protection is usually cheaper; life insurance is more flexible.
Is protection insurance compulsory when taking out a mortgage? +
No. Lenders cannot legally require you to purchase a protection policy from them as a condition of your mortgage. However, buildings insurance is typically a mortgage condition. Protection insurance is not, but it is strongly advisable.
Can I get income protection if I am self-employed? +
Yes — and it is particularly important if you are. As a self-employed person, you have no employer sick pay to fall back on. If you are unable to work, your income stops. Income protection policies can typically replace 50-70% of your pre-incapacity earnings, paid as a monthly income until you are well enough to return.
What does critical illness cover actually pay for? +
Critical illness cover pays a tax-free lump sum on diagnosis of a specified serious condition — typically cancer, heart attack, or stroke, among others. The exact list of covered conditions varies between insurers. The payout can be used for anything — clearing your mortgage, funding treatment, adapting your home, or replacing lost income during recovery.
What if I already have protection through work? +
Employer-provided cover is worth reviewing carefully. Group death-in-service benefits are typically 3-4 times salary — which may not clear your mortgage. Group income protection often has waiting periods of up to 12 months and may stop paying after a limited period. We can help you assess what your employer scheme covers and where the gaps are.
Will a pre-existing medical condition affect my application? +
Possibly, but not necessarily as much as you might expect. Many insurers will offer cover with an exclusion for the specific condition. Some will offer standard terms. We work with specialist insurers who are experienced in complex medical histories.
How much does protection insurance cost? +
It depends on the type and amount of cover, your age, health history, whether you smoke, and the length of the policy. A healthy non-smoker in their 30s can typically obtain significant life cover for less than ten pounds per month. Income protection for the same person would typically be higher. We will look at what is available for your specific circumstances and budget.
Can I have more than one protection policy at the same time? +
Yes. Many of our clients hold a combination of products — life insurance and income protection, or mortgage protection and critical illness cover. Each policy covers a different risk. The right combination depends on your personal and financial circumstances.
What happens when I need to make a claim? +
We support clients through the claims process — not just at the point of taking out a policy. We can help you understand what is required, what documentation is needed, and liaise with the insurer on your behalf. At what is inevitably a very difficult time, having someone in your corner makes a significant difference.

Your Free Protection Consultation

A free, no-obligation conversation to find out what cover you actually need — and what it costs.

Your free consultation includes:

  • A full assessment of your current cover — employer schemes, existing policies, and gaps
  • A clear explanation of the products that are relevant to your situation
  • Quotes from across the market — not just a handful of insurers
  • Guidance on what level of cover makes sense for your income, mortgage, and family
  • Transparent advice — including what we would and would not recommend, and why

Or call us on 01628 884 693