We explain the class of occupations

Not all jobs qualify, want to see if yours does?

With  income protection insurance, occupations are generally categorized into various risk groups known as “occupation classes.” These classifications assist insurers in evaluating the risk linked to your job, which in turn influences the premium you pay.

Here are some examples of occupation classes

Class 1

Class 1 occupations are low risk of physical injury or illness, usually involving desk-based or administrative work. These roles have minimal manual labour or exposure to hazardous conditions, making them lower risk for insurance companies.

Class 2

With class 2 occupations there are slightly higher risks than Class 1, typically including roles with light manual work or more mobility, these occupations are relatively low-risk and may involve some physical activity or fieldwork.

Class 3

The 3rd class of Occupations involve moderate manual labour or physical activity, with a higher risk of injury compared to Class 1 and 2. These roles often require hands-on work, use of tools, and working in more physically demanding environments.

Class 4

The 4th class of occupation involves jobs with high levels of physical labour and risk, often in hazardous environments. These roles typically require strenuous activity, posing a greater risk of injury or illness compared to lower classification occupations.

Class 5

A Class 5 or Declined occupation refers to jobs that are hazardous and unfortunately, your occupation isn’t covered for income protection due to the high-risk nature of these occupations, but don’t worry—there are alternative options available for you.

Instead of income protection salary replacement, you may well be eligible to receive Serious Illness tax free lump sum cover. Here, Serious Illness cover is not linked to the physical risk associated with your occupation.