Income Protection · Zurich
Zurich Income Protection in Ireland
If an illness or injury stopped you working, how long could you pay the bills? Zurich income protection replaces up to 75% of your income with a regular monthly payment until you recover or retire — and you can claim tax relief on the premiums. As whole-of-market advisers, we compare Zurich against the whole market to find the right cover for you.
Last reviewed by Debbie Cheevers, QFA, RPA · 30 June 2026
What is income protection?
Income protection is an insurance policy that pays you a regular monthly income if illness or injury leaves you unable to work. Unlike a lump sum, it keeps paying — after your chosen waiting period — right up until you can return to work or reach the end of your policy. It is one of the most important, and most overlooked, forms of financial protection in Ireland.
- Pays a monthly income, not a once-off lump sum.
- Covers most illnesses and injuries that stop you working — not just serious ones.
- Keeps paying until you recover, the policy ends, or you reach your chosen retirement age.
Why choose Zurich income protection?
A real monthly income
A steady replacement income so you can focus on getting better, not on the bills.
Support back to work
Partial and tapered benefits help you ease back in if you return part-time.
Extra support services
Access to added medical and wellbeing supports alongside your cover.
Cover to retirement
You can protect your income right up to your chosen retirement age.
How Zurich income protection works
- 1
Choose your cover
Insure up to 75% of your gross earnings, less any State Illness Benefit.
- 2
Choose your deferred period
Pick how long you’d wait before payments start — 4, 8, 13, 26 or 52 weeks.
- 3
Pay your premium
You pay monthly and can claim tax relief at your marginal rate on the cost.
- 4
Claim and get paid
If you can’t work, the monthly income is paid until you recover or retire.
Tax relief on your premiums
Claim back up to 40%
Income protection is the only type of personal insurance that qualifies for tax relief. You can claim relief at your marginal rate — 20% or 40% — on premiums up to 10% of your total income, for a Revenue-approved policy. For a 40% taxpayer, that can effectively cut the cost of cover by up to 40%.
One thing to remember
Because you get relief going in, the benefit is taxed coming out. Any income you receive from a claim is treated as earnings and is subject to income tax, USC and PRSI — we factor this in when we work out the cover you actually need.
Who should consider income protection?
Self-employed & contractors
No employer sick pay and limited State support — so replacing your income matters most.
Employees
If your employer only offers a few weeks’ sick pay, income protection covers the long gap after that.
Mortgage holders & families
Keep paying the mortgage and everyday bills if your earnings suddenly stop.
What affects the cost of your cover?
There’s no single price for income protection — your premium is built around your own circumstances. The main things that move the cost:
- Your age — the younger you start, the lower the premium.
- Your occupation — insurers grade jobs by risk, which affects both price and availability.
- Your deferred period — a longer waiting period before benefit starts reduces the cost.
- The cover amount and term — how much income you insure and how long you protect it.
- Your health and lifestyle — medical history and habits such as smoking are taken into account.
Because every insurer prices these differently, it pays to compare. We review Zurich alongside the rest of the market to find you the right cover at the right price — see our main income protection guide, or how it fits with mortgage protection and life insurance.
We work with Ireland’s leading life & pension companies
Frequently asked questions
What is income protection?
Income protection is an insurance policy that pays you a regular monthly income if you can’t work because of illness or injury. After your chosen waiting period, it keeps paying until you’re able to return to work or reach the end of the policy — so your household income doesn’t simply stop.
How much of my income can I cover?
You can insure up to 75% of your gross earnings, less any State Illness Benefit or other cover you already have, up to the insurer’s maximum yearly benefit. We work out the right figure so you’re not paying for cover you can’t claim.
What is a deferred period?
The deferred period is the waiting time between becoming unable to work and your benefit starting — commonly 4, 8, 13, 26 or 52 weeks. Choosing a longer deferred period lowers your premium, so we match it to any sick pay you already have.
Can I claim tax relief on the premiums?
Yes. Income protection is the only personal insurance that qualifies for tax relief. You can claim at your marginal rate of 20% or 40% on premiums up to 10% of your total income, for a Revenue-approved policy.
Are the payments taxed if I claim?
Yes. Because you get tax relief on the premiums, any benefit you receive is treated as income and is subject to income tax, USC and PRSI. We take this into account when setting your cover amount.
Is income protection worth it if I’m self-employed?
Often, yes. Self-employed people and contractors usually have no employer sick pay and limited State support, so a replacement income is one of the most valuable protections you can put in place.
How much does income protection cost?
It depends on your age, occupation, the cover amount, the deferred period and your health. Because insurers price these very differently, comparing the market usually saves money — which is exactly what we do for you.
How do I make a claim?
You complete a claim form (we can arrange this for you) and your doctor confirms you’re unable to work. Once your deferred period has passed, the monthly benefit is paid to you until you recover or the policy ends.
Protect the income you work hard for
Talk to a qualified Greenway adviser for free. We’ll compare Zurich against the whole market and set up income protection that fits your job, your budget and your family.