Royal London's income protection occupations refreshed for modern working lives

• Comprehensive review delivers enhanced terms, broadened access, and improved claim definitions supporting non-linear career paths
• Improved terms for over 700 occupations
• Income Protection for professions from air traffic controllers to zookeepers, Royal London covers the A–Z

Royal London has announced a significant refresh of its Income Protection occupation classes in line with evolving careers that often include freelancing, gig work and multiple jobs. The changes reflect the reality that modern working lives no longer follow a straightforward, linear trajectory and are designed to support individuals whose working lives span a variety of roles and arrangements.

Following an extensive review of its proposition, Royal London has confirmed improved terms for more than 700 occupations, opening up terms for 545 occupations and lowering pricing across 162 occupations. The enhancements mean that a wider range of professions can now benefit from more competitive and relevant cover, reflecting the diverse roles found in today's workforce. The review also identified approximately 70 roles where risk profiles have increased, leading to the introduction of price adjustments for these higher-risk occupations to maintain fairness and sustainability for all policyholders.

Expanded access and clearer coverage

A cornerstone of the review is the enhancement of total permanent disability (TPD) definitions for 67 occupations, moving occupations from the working‑tasks definition to an own‑occupation definition. The improvements are designed to make the claims process clearer and more straightforward, giving customers greater confidence and peace of mind should they need to claim.

This alignment ensures that policies continue to meet the needs of policyholders whose careers may not follow traditional trajectories.

Fi Wynn, head of protection proposition at Royal London, said:

"As the world of work continues to change, the products designed to support it must too. These enhancements to our Income Protection occupation classes highlight our commitment to providing relevant, robust, and adaptable protection for today's policyholders.

"We're committed to ensuring that Income Protection remains relevant and accessible for workers navigating today's dynamic employment landscape.

"Jobs are constantly evolving and in response we've expanded access to Income Protection for a variety of job titles that were previously ineligible or where eligibility was unclear. This ensures even greater inclusivity, allowing more people to protect their income regardless of how their career develops."

Vicky Churcher, executive director at the IPTF, said:

"The IPTF welcomes developments that seek to broaden access to insurance, particularly for underserved groups such as the self-employed and those with non-traditional career paths. As the nature of work continues to evolve, ensuring that products, definitions and eligibility criteria keep pace is an important step in improving accessibility and relevance. Initiatives that support clearer cover and reflect modern working lives can help more people understand and engage with income protection. We look forward to seeing continued progress across the market that supports greater inclusion, consistency and confidence for both advisers and consumers."