Claimants sometimes feel they are being forced down a career route they do not favour whereas the insurer insists they are helping in a crucial rehabilitation programme.

WHAT IT COVERS

Income protection pays out for conditions such as chronic back conditions, stress-related illnesses and any illness or condition that prevents a claimant doing their job.

So if someone suffered a heart condition or stroke and was unfit to work, they would be paid around 65 percent of salary up to the point that medical opinion felt they were fit to return.

Income protection is entirely different from critical illness cover which pays out one lump sum -- not an income. Fitness to return to work or otherwise does not come into the equation.

Income protection premiums are typically based on employment, age, smoking status, sex and general health, with those in professional, office-based jobs generally paying less than those in physically demanding jobs such as builders.

Brian Cannon, a self-employed builder from Hitchin, Hertfordshire, for example, found it impossible to get cover.

"My profession is in the higher risk category so the premiums are loaded anyway," he said. "But being self-employed is a bigger problem because without at least a couple of years proof of earnings, insurers won't touch you."

Cannon added: "The irony in all this is that us self-employed need more income protection than anyone else. There is no employer to help us out, but we find ourselves in the worst position of all."

But Karen Small a marketing manager from Chichester, had a policy with Unum Provident which she said helped her during a very difficult period.

"I had a chronic back problem which required surgery on a disc. I had an eight week deferral period in my policy but after that I received regular income protection for the next year and a half without any problem.

"During this time I was helped in my rehabilitation programme from both my employer and my insurer and eventually returned to my job."

Small added: "I think if I had not had income protection in place I would, out of financial necessity, have returned to work too early. In reality, when I was given the all clear by my doctor, I returned to work stress-free and have felt fine ever since."

PREMIUMS

Premiums on income protection vary depending on age and health.

For a 30 year old male, non-smoker in good health and in a low risk, class 1 occupation, for 1,000 pound per month benefit until age 60, the premiums quoted by Liverpool Victoria and Friends Provident are 7.70 pounds and 10.16 pounds a month respectively.

The premiums for women by the same insurers are higher at 15.18 pounds and 15.47 pence respectively.

For a 40 year old male, non-smoker the premiums quoted by Scottish Provident are 21.28 pence and for a female 32.25 pence.

Statistically women are more likely to suffer illnesses during their lifetime compared to men.