FAQs
- Who is eligible for this cover?
- Who underwrites this Income Protection?
- What is this Income Protection policy designed to do?
- Can I have both an income and mortgage payment protection policy with Columbus?
- Can I have joint cover?
- Are there any additional fees not included in the premium quoted?
- Can I take out this Income Protection if I am about to be made redundant?
- How long will I be covered for?
- How much can I insure?
- How long do I have to wait before this Income Protection covers me for unemployment?
- Will this Income Protection give me immediate cover if I transfer from another insurer?
- When does cover end?
- When can I claim if I am unemployed?
- When can't I claim if I am unemployed?
- If I am self-employed are there any restrictions?
- If I am a contract worker are there any restrictions?
- Will I be able to claim if I am in receipt of a payment in lieu of notice?
- When can I claim if I am off work due to Accident / Sickness?
- Will this Income Protection cover me if I have got a pre-existing medical condition?
- Does this Income Protection contain other exclusions?
- How do I make a claim?
- Can I make more than one claim?
- Can I change the nature of my claim?
- What is the cost of cover?
- Can I cancel this Income Protection?
- What should I do if I need to complain?
- Can I transfer my benefit under this Income Protection to another person?
- How do I pay for this Income Protection?
- Am I entitled to compensation if the Insurer is unable to meet its liabilities?
- Is my personal information safe?
- What if I have another question?
- Who is eligible for this cover?
UK residents who are aged 18 or over and no more than 60 on the date of inception of cover. You must also be in full-time employment or be on a renewable fixed term contract of at least 13 weeks. N.B. for full eligibility criteria please refer to Section 1 of the Policy Document.
Page top - Who underwrites this Income Protection?
This Income Protection is underwritten by certain Underwriter's at Lloyd's who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Policies are administered by Marketing and Management Services Ltd, MMS. Full information is provided in the Policy Document.
Page top - What is this Income Protection designed to do?
This Income Protection is designed to pay up to 60% of your normal monthly income if you are unemployed and/or incapacitated due to accident or illness and therefore unable to work.
Page top - Can I have both an income and mortgage payment protection policy with Columbus?
Yes, you can take out both income and mortgage protection with Columbus — as long as you meet the application criteria. By doing so, you can "double-up" on the cover you would receive should you become unemployed and/or incapacitated due to accident or illness and therefore unable to work .
Page top - Can I have joint cover?
If two or more people want to be insured then they will need to submit separate applications, where they can cover exactly the proportion of their monthly income that they wish.
Page top - Are there any additional fees not included in the premium quoted?
No. We don't charge any additional fees.
Page top - Can I take out this Income Protection if I am about to be made redundant?
No.
Page top - How long will I be covered for?
This policy will provide, subject to applicable exclusions and conditions, claim benefits for a maximum of 12 months; provided the insured remains unable to work and the policy End Date has not been reached. Full information is provided in the Policy Document, see Sections 2, 5, & 8 specifically about the duration of cover and claims.
Want claims to be paid for 18 months? Click here
Page top - How much can I insure?
The monthly benefit amount must not be less than £100 or more than £2000 and must not exceed 60% of your net monthly salary. Full information is provided in the Policy Document, see the definition of 'Monthly Benefit' in Section 2.
Need cover up to £3,000 or 90% of Net Income? Click here
Page top - How long do I have to wait before this Income Protection covers me for unemployment?
This Income Protection has an initial 120 day exclusion period at the start of the policy during which you cannot make a claim for unemployment. For more information please read the Policy Document, see Sections 2 & 5 specifically for information on the 'Initial Exclusion Period'.
Page top - Will this Income Protection give me immediate cover if I transfer from another insurer?
Yes, within certain terms and conditions, please see Section 5 of the Policy Document for full details.
Page top - When does cover end?
Your cover and entitlement to Monthly Benefit will end automatically as soon as one of the following occurs:
a) You die or;
b) You retire from Work or reach the statutory retirement age, whichever is the earlier or;
c) You stop residing or Working in the United Kindgom or;
d) You do not pay Your Premium on the due date (Premiums received after the due date may at Our discretion, be allocated to continuing the insurance or returned to You) or;
e) You have no monthly mortgage payments (unless We confirm in writing that cover may continue).
In the event of fraud We may cancel your Policy immediately and no refund of Premium will be given.
You can cancel this Policy at any time by giving the Administrator at least 30 days written notice addressed to the Administrator, MMS of Melbourne House, Melbourne Street, Farsley, Pudsey, Leeds. LS28 5BT
We may cancel this Policy at any time by giving at least 90 days written notice to You at Your last known address. If We do, any premium You have paid for the period after the cancellation date will be refunded. This will not affect any rights to benefits which You may already have under this Policy which arise before the Termination Date. It may become necessary for Us to cancel Your Policy due to:
- You failing to disclose any material information to Us that is relevant to Your application for this Policy or to any claim;
- Any actual or predicted legal or regulatory requirement;
- An unforeseen increase in claims under all policies of the same type issued by Us;
- An unforeseen event that prevents Us from continuing to provide or the Administrator continuing to administer Your Policy. Page top - When can I claim if I am unemployed?
This Income Protection will allow you to make a claim for unemployment if you meet certain conditions such as: you must be receiving income support, job seekers allowance and be registered as available for work.
For full details, please refer to Section 5 of the Policy Document.
Page top - When can't I claim if I am unemployed?
As with all insurance, this policy contains exclusions which mean that in certain circumstances you will not be able to claim. Please refer to Sections 5 & 6 of the Policy Document for full details.
Page top - If I am self-employed are there any restrictions?
Yes, unfortunately we do not offer cover to self-employed individuals.
Click here for cover for the self-employed.
Page top - If I am a contract worker are there any restrictions?
Yes, if you are a contract worker you should refer specifically to Sections 1,2 & 5 of the Policy Document for terms relating to contract workers.
Page top - Will I be able to claim if I am in receipt of a payment in lieu of notice?
No. Please see the definitions of 'unemployed/Unemployment' in Section 2 of the Policy Document.
Page top - When can I claim if I am off work due to Accident / Sickness?
If you are signed off work due to Accident or Sickness for more than the waiting period then you may be entitled to benefits. Please see Sections 2, 5 & 6 of the Policy Document for full terms and conditions.
Page top - Will this Income Protection cover me if I have got a pre-existing medical condition?
If you have a pre-existing medical condition then certain restrictions will apply and the policy may not cover you. Full information is provided in the Policy Document, see the Definitions of 'Pre-existing Condition' in Section 1 and also Section 5 relating to Pre-existing Conditions.
Page top - Does this Income Protection contain other exclusions?
Yes, as with all insurance this policy contains other general exclusions and limitations. Full information is provided in the Policy Document.
Page top - How do I make a claim?
Full information about how to make a claim is provided in the Policy Document. Generally, you should contact MMS on 0113 255 8611 for a claim form.
Page top - Can I make more than one claim?
Yes. For full details see Sections 5 & 8 on the Policy Document.
Page top - Can I change the nature of my claim?
Yes, it is possible to change the nature of your claim between Unemployment and Accident or Sickness. See Section 5 of the Policy Document for full details.
Page top - What is the cost of cover?
The cost of cover varies depending on the option for cover you select and your age. Please use our quote page and you will be able to view a quote within seconds.
Page top - Can I cancel this Income Protection?
Yes, you can cancel at any time. Full information is provided within the Policy Document.
Page top - What should I do if I need to complain?
If you need to complain, please refer to Section 12 of your Policy Document.
If your complaint relates to the way in which the policy has been sold, advertised or marketed, you should follow the complaints procedures shown in the Initial Disclosure Document. This is provided both before and after purchasing the insurance.
Page top - Can I transfer my benefit under this Income Protection to another person?
No, benefits cannot be assigned to a third party. Full information is provided in the Policy Document.
Page top - How do I pay for this Income Protection?
Premiums are payable monthly by Direct Debit.
Page top - Am I entitled to compensation if the Insurer is unable to meet its liabilities?
Yes, under this policy you are entitled to receive compensation. See Section 10 of the Policy Document for full information.
Page top - Is my personal information safe?
Absolutely. Both Columbus (as the seller) and MMS (as administrators) are committed to maintaining your personal data in accordance with Data Protection legislation and the highest standards of data handling. See Section 9 of the Policy Document for full information.
Page top - What if I have another question?
For queries about new quotations please call: 0870 899 3361 or email: help@columbusprotect.com
For queries regarding existing cover please email: customerservice@columbusprotect.com
For general business-to-business or affiliate enquiries please email: b2b@columbusprotect.com
Please note, if you are an existing customer with a question or you want to notify us about a claim, you can telephone the administrators of the insurance, MMS on 01132 558 611.
We will endeavour to respond to your e-mail enquires within 2 working days.
Please consult the Policy Document for a full explaination of any of these terms and how they apply.