Since 2003, we have paid out on 95% of all claims made.
Metfriendly’s Income Protection Plan keeps the money coming in if your income is taken away – and it’s specifically tailored to Police Officers with many features you will not find elsewhere.
To help get you started your first three months’ premiums are completely free.
The purpose of the Metfriendly Income Protection Plan is simple – to provide you with an income if you are no longer able to work. You can receive a payout in one of three different ways:
- a regular monthly benefit if you are unable to work due to incapacity or if you are medically retired on physical grounds
- a lump sum benefit if you gain alternative employment during medical retirement
- a lump sum benefit if you are diagnosed with a critical illness
The plan also comes complete with our Nurse Support service that you can call for long term practical help and emotional support if you are affected by a serious health condition, whether mental or physical.
Metfriendly Nurse Support is a service provided by a third party that is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. This service is not part of our terms and conditions, so can be amended or withdrawn at any time.
When WILL my Income Protection plan pay out?
We will pay the specified benefits if:
Your premiums are up to date, your illness or injury is not excluded, you meet the qualifying conditions, and one or more of the following events occur:
- You are unable to work, due to incapacity (as defined below), resulting in a loss of earnings,
- You are medically retired, except where due to a mental or nervous condition, or
- You are diagnosed whilst serving with any of the critical illnesses (see below), you survive the initial diagnosis by 28 days and you meet the other policy conditions for that illness.
Our definition of incapacity under the Income Protection plan is:
You are, as a result of bodily injury occurring or sickness first manifesting itself whilst this Policy is in force;
- Totally unable to perform your occupation as a serving police officer or as a member of police staff; or
- Once medically retired, unable to perform any other occupation for which you are reasonably fitted by training, education or experience subject to any physical limitations imposed by the condition causing medical retirement.
The critical illnesses which we cover are:
| Cancer | excluding less advanced cases |
| Coronary artery by-pass grafts | with surgery to divide the breastbone |
| Heart attack | of specified severity |
| HIV infection | caught from a blood transfusion, a physical assault or in the execution of your duty |
| Kidney failure | requiring dialysis |
| Major organ transplant | |
| Stroke | resulting in permanent symptoms |
| Terminal illness | with death expected within 12 months |
| Third degree burns | covering 20% of the body’s surface area |
These headings are only a guide to what is covered. The full definitions of the illnesses covered and the circumstances in which you can claim are given in the policy document.
The policy definitions typically use medical terms to describe the illnesses and in some cases the cover may be limited. For example, some types of cancer are not covered; and, to make a claim for some illnesses, you need to have permanent symptoms.
How long will you pay my Income Protection benefit for?
We will pay you a monthly benefit until:
- you return to your usual occupation
- you are no longer incapacitated
- you obtain full-time paid employment once medically retired
- you leave the police service for any reason (including a career break) other than medical retirement
- you reach age 60, or
- your death
If you remain on ‘no pay’ for more than 2 years, the monthly benefit will cease to be paid, but you will still be eligible to claim medical retirement benefits.
When will the plan NOT pay out?
We will not pay benefits under the plans if your incapacity, critical illness or medical retirement is caused by any of the following:
- Any exclusion we advise to you at the time of your application
- Exclusions defined in the policy document covering:
- War and civil commotion*
- Hazardous sports and pastimes*
- Flying, other than on commercial flights*
- CBRN contamination*
- Danger – deliberate exposure* (except in an attempt to save human life)
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- Criminal acts
- Self-inflicted injury
- Failure to follow medical advice
- Military Service
- Pregnancy
- HIV – except where caused by blood transfusion, physical assault, or an incident occurring when performing police duties
- Pre-existing conditions – unless we have been notified of them and have agreed to provide cover
- For medical retirement benefits – any mental or nervous conditions
- For critical illness benefits – if you do not survive 28 days after diagnosis
- For No Pay exceeding 12 months or on medical retirement, no further benefit will be paid unless you meet the conditions for State Benefits
- For No Pay exceeding 2 years, no further benefit will be paid (but you will still be eligible for medical retirement benefits)
*except where part of your police duties, which IS covered
Is there any other information available that can help me decide which plan to buy?
This plan has been specifically designed around your conditions of service, so the benefits (and premiums) are tailored to suit your needs and not be excessive. The policy document gives full details of the cover provided and includes all the definitions, exclusions, terms and conditions. The Income Protection policy document is available to view here should you wish to see this before making your decision. Additionally, the Money Advice Service™ provides useful financial information on its website https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/. However, if you are still unsure as to the suitability of this plan, and wish to obtain personal advice, you should contact an independent financial adviser.
How much does that plan cost?
Premiums are the same for males and females. The level of premium is based on your pensionable pay – the “Insured Earnings” – and smoking status. The table below gives you a few examples, assuming that you are in good health at the time of commencement and are accepted at standard rates.
| Pensionable Pay | Monthly Premium | |
|---|---|---|
| (Insured Earnings) | Smoker | Non Smoker |
| £20,370 | £16.73 | £12.55 |
| £23,586 | £19.09 | £14.32 |
| £25,728 | £20.66 | £15.50 |
| £28,947 | £23.02 | £17.27 |
| £39,150 | £30.50 | £22.88 |
| £40,488 | £31.48 | £23.61 |
| £52,356 | £40.19 | £30.14 |
| £57,732 | £44.13 | £33.10 |
Premiums will increase/decrease in line with your pensionable salary and smoking status, so you must tell us of any change in your circumstances, e.g promotion, part-time working or smoking status. Failure to do so will affect the level of benefit you may receive in the event of a claim.
We regularly review the premium rate for this plan and apply any change to members already covered by this plan, but we will tell you beforehand if we are going to do this.
What are the charges?
What if I change my mind or decide to cancel?
- You can cancel for a full refund within 30 days of receiving your policy documents. Simply contact our Member Services team on 01689 891454 or email [email protected]
- If you wish to stop or cancel your plan after this, our friendly Member Services team will be able to help.
How do I contact you?
Metfriendly, Central Court, Knoll Rise, Orpington, BR6 0JA
Phone: 01689 891454
Email: [email protected]
