Income Protection When You Have Epilepsy
Income protection pays a monthly income if illness or injury stops you working. Underwriting is stricter with epilepsy and some policies carry conditions, so we will always be straight with you about what is realistic before you apply.
Reviewed by Andy Stevens, Co-Founder and Epilepsy Insurance Specialist, Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning (CII) and Member of the Chartered Insurance Institute, at More Than Money Ltd. Last reviewed: 29 August 2026.
Can you get income protection with epilepsy?
Often, yes, but the terms vary more than for any other protection product. Where seizures are long settled, some insurers can offer fair terms. Where they are recent or more frequent, an offer may come with an exclusion or a higher premium, and a small number of insurers may not offer it at all. The choice of insurer makes more difference here than anywhere else, which is exactly why we check before you apply.
How income protection works
You choose a monthly benefit, usually a proportion of your earnings, and it starts after a waiting period once you are unable to work because of illness or injury.
The deferred period
That waiting period is called the deferred period, and it is often four, thirteen, twenty six or fifty two weeks. A longer deferred period usually means a lower premium, so it is worth matching it to any sick pay or savings you could rely on first.
How long it pays out for
Policies can pay until you are able to return to work, or for a fixed period such as one or two years per claim. Full-term cover costs more than a budget policy that pays for a limited time. Which is right for you depends on what you could fall back on, and it is one of the things we will talk through plainly.
Exclusions and what they mean for you
Where epilepsy is recent or less settled, an offer may come with an exclusion, meaning claims caused by epilepsy or seizures would not be paid.
A policy with an exclusion still covers everything else, which for many people is most of the reasons they would ever claim. It is not the same as full cover, though, and you should know exactly what is excluded before you sign anything. We will point it out plainly rather than leave it in the small print.
Does your job affect it?
Yes, more than most people expect. Income protection is priced partly on your occupation, because the chance of being unable to work depends on what the work is. An office role and a job involving driving, heights or machinery are treated differently, and with epilepsy the occupation questions get extra attention. Tell us what you do and we will tell you honestly how insurers are likely to see it.
Why underwriting is stricter with epilepsy
This product pays out on being unable to work, which is a more likely event than death, so insurers look harder at anything that could affect it.
Your seizure type, how recent your last seizure was, how often seizures happen, your medication and your occupation all feed into the decision. The full picture is in our guide to how insurers assess epilepsy. If a lump sum on a serious diagnosis is closer to what you need, read about critical illness cover with epilepsy.
What affects the price?
There is no single price for income protection with epilepsy. The main things that shape it are the deferred period you choose, how much of your income you cover, how long the policy pays out for, your occupation, your age, and your seizure history and general health. The seizure factors are the same ones covered in our guide to how insurers assess epilepsy.
Not sure how insurers would see your job or your seizure history?
Ask us. We'll tell you honestly what's realistic before you apply. No pressure, no judgement, no obligation.