The Exeter enhances income protection product to provide more financial support for members | News | The Exeter

11/05/2026

The Exeter enhances income protection product to provide more financial support for members

The Exeter enhances income protection product to provide more financial support for members
The Exeter enhances income protection product to provide more financial support for members

UK health and life insurer The Exeter has announced a series of updates to its Income First product, further strengthening the financial protection available to members during periods of illness or injury should they need to make a claim on their policy.  

The updates made are intended to improve flexibility and outcomes for members, reflecting The Exeter’s ongoing commitment to helping members maintain financial confidence should they be unable to work due to illness or injury. 

What’s new?

Effective from publication, the following enhancements apply to Income First:

  • Maximum benefit increased to 65% of income, allowing members to protect a larger proportion of their earnings, improving financial stability during periods of illness or injury.
  • Greater clarity for members who have been on parental leave for less than 12 months and need to make a claim by assessing their earnings prior to their leave. 
  • Extended access to rehabilitation support with the previous 24-month limit being removed to allow members to receive assistance for as long as they need it.
  • Reduced evidence requirements for the fixed benefit option, a valuable feature that provides certainty over the level of benefit.

Together, these enhancements strengthen the practical support available to members and give advisers greater assurance in a product that’s been built to reflect real member needs.

Jack Southcott, Head of Protection Proposition, The Exeter, comments:

“These enhancements reflect our focus on continuously evolving our proposition to support our members when they need us most. Increasing the maximum benefit limit provides broader financial protection, while clearer guidance around parental leave removes uncertainty at important life moments.

Extending access to rehabilitation ensures members can rely on support that’s shaped around their recovery, whilst our fixed benefit option meets a real customer need, especially for those with fluctuating incomes. Ultimately, these changes are about delivering long-term value and strengthening the confidence advisers and members place in our Income First product.”

ENDS

 

Notes to Editors 

PR Contact    
Tom Stewart-Walvin, Rostrum  
T: +44 (0)7855 689 302 
E: theexeter@rostrum.agency  

About The Exeter    

The Exeter is a multi-award-winning UK health and life insurer, supporting UK families in the event of ill health or injury. Specialising in health insurance, income protection, and life insurance, The Exeter is a mutual friendly society, owned by its members and run for their benefit.

The Exeter is a trading name of Exeter Friendly Society Limited, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Register number 205309) and is incorporated under the Friendly Societies Act 1992 Register No. 91F with its registered office at Lakeside House, Emperor Way, Exeter, England EX1 3FD.