Own occupation

Own occupation assesses your ability to do your own job, rather than any job. If illness or injury means you cannot carry out the role you do, a policy with an own occupation definition can pay out even if you could in theory do different work.

This is generally considered the strongest definition for the policyholder, because it is the most closely tied to your actual circumstances. Other definitions, which look at whether you could do another suitable job or basic tasks, are usually harder to claim under.

Not every policy offers own occupation, and availability can depend on your job and the insurer. When comparing income protection, the incapacity definition is one of the most important features to check, alongside the deferred period and how long benefit is paid.