Income protection and mortgage protection insurance are two different types of income replacement. Both can pay you if you need to take some time off work because of an injury or illness. However, mortgage protection can only be used to pay your mortgage repayments, while income protection can be used to cover other everyday living expenses as well.
What is the difference between income protection and mortgage protection?
The main difference between income protection and mortgage protection is this:
Mortgage protection. Can only be used for your mortgage repayments.
Income protection. Can be used for mortgage repayments and other living expenses, including credit card debt, school fees, electricity bills and food.
We've highlighted some other key differences below.
Key Differences
Mortgage Protection Insurance
Income Protection Insurance
How does it pay out?
In one lump-sum or ongoing benefit payment
In monthly instalments, like an income.
When does it pay out?
If you pass away or become injured or ill
If you become sick or injured and can't work
How much does it pay out?
A specified amount to cover your mortgage repayments
Up to 75% of your income
What can it pay for?
Your mortgage repayments
Anything you want, including mortgage repayments
How long can you receive payments for?
It depends on the size of your loan and the agreement you make with the insurer
It depends on the 'benefit period' you choose. Options are generally 2, 3 or 5 years, or up until a certain age e.g. 65
Are the premiums tax deductible?
No, premiums are generally not tax deductible for mortgage protection insurance.
Yes, premiums are generally tax deductible for income insurance.
What's the application process like?
Mortgage protection doesn't usually require any blood or medical tests when you apply.
Income protection requires you to disclose lifestyle factors such as age, smoking status and pre-existing conditions, which will affect the cost of your cover.
Compare income protection policies and get a quote
Our tables can't show you prices because your premiums are based on the type of job you have, your age, health and a few other factors. However, to help give you an idea of how price varies, we've outlined some costs below based on a few different occupations who all selected a $3,000 monthly benefit.
Cost
Age
Gender
Smoker
Graphic designer
$45 a month
30
Female
Mechanic
$84 a month
40
Male
Carpenter
$222 a month
50
Female
Accountant
$149 a month
60
Male
*Quotes are based on the average of three quotes from three different insurers. Each person is on a $3,000 monthly benefit with the benefit period as close to 1 year as possible. The waiting period was selected as near to 30 days as the insurer would allow.
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Is it worth getting mortgage protection insurance?
If you have income protection, it probably isn't worth getting mortgage protection insurance as well. Both cover you if you have to take time off work due to an injury or illness. However, mortgage protection will only cover your mortgage repayments. It can't cover all the other bills you need to pay — but income protection can.
For instance, say your mortgage repayments account for 28% of your monthly income — the limit that many lenders recommend — that still leaves a significant amount of monthly expenses left to pay for if you're out of work.
Income protection insurance can't provide you with 100% of your income, but at 75%, it can make sure you're still able to pay for the majority of your monthly expenses, including:
Mortgage repayments
School fees
Food
Car insurance
Fuel
Utilities such as electricity
Credit card payments
Student loans
Can I have mortgage protection and income protection?
If you have both mortgage protection and income protection and submit a claim to your income insurer, it's likely they will reduce your monthly benefit based on your mortgage protection benefit. This is because income protection is capped at 75% of your income to prevent you from earning more while you're off than you would while you were working.
If you already have mortgage protection but want income protection to cover all your other monthly expenses, buy a policy that pays you a smaller percentage of your monthly income.
For example, if your mortgage accounts for 30% of your income, get an income protection policy that pays you 45% of your income, keeping you within the 75% limit. That way, you won't be wasting money.
What benefits are included with income protection and mortgage protection?
Death benefit: This benefit covers you in the event of death or terminal illness.
Total and partial disability benefits: Most insurers include disability benefits in all income protection plans, but these differ between total and partial disability benefits. The definitions of total and partial disability differs between providers, but total disability generally stops you from working due to an illness or accident, whereas partial disability means you are able to work part time or in another occupation.
Stepped or level premiums: You have a choice between stepped or level premiums. Level premiums remain the same throughout the life of your policy, whereas stepped premiums start off lower and increase with age.
Additional features at an extra cost
These options differ between insurance providers, but some of the main additional options for life insurance cover include:
Superannuation contribution: Contributions to your super are continued while your are receiving an income benefit.
Involuntary unemployment: Income protection does not offer a payout for redundancy, but some providers offer features such as loan repayment cover or premium waivers.
Rehabilitation benefit: Your insurance provider will cover the cost incurred from rehabilitation that can help you if you become completely disabled
Accommodation, overseas or domestic transport: This option safeguards you if you become disabled while away from home.
Family support: This benefit in the event if you are totally disabled and an immediate family member must stop work to look after you.
Return to work bonus: Some insurers offer this benefit when you return to work after being injured.
Standard built-in benefits with mortgage protection
Death Cover: This benefit covers you in the event of death or terminal illness. Any difference between sum-insured and amount owing on mortgage can be paid to your estate.
Disability benefits: You will receive a monthly benefit payment to cover your mortgage repayments in the event of an illness or injury and you are unable to work.
Involuntary unemployment: Mortgage protection insurance will provide cover in the event of redundancy generally up to three months.
Complimentary accidental death cover: Complimentary cover for accidental death while loan provider is setting up home loan. This is usually provided for up to 2 months.
Important points to know about a mortgage protection policy
There are a few other important points worth keeping mind when it comes to mortgage protection policies:
You will generally not be covered for any claims related to an injury or illness that you received medical consultation for in the months before you purchased the policy.
Involuntary unemployment cover is usually not available if you are employed in a permanent part time, casual, contract or temporary capacity for less than 20 hours per week or if you are a sole trader working less than 20 hours per week.
Cover may only be available up to a maximum loan value.
Gary Ross Hunter was an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full bio
Gary Ross's expertise
Gary Ross has written 659 Finder guides across topics including:
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