British Friendly Income Protection
Review – British Friendly Income Protection
www.britishfriendly.com

British Friendly Insurance Review MSE

Is British Friendly Insurance good?

What’s British Friendly Insurance like in 2025? Competitive UK Insurer ticks 7 boxes in ‘British Friendly income protection reviews’. (PROS) 1: Mutual Insurer 2: Reliable Reputable 3: Claims Payout 4: Protection Focus 5: Defaqto Rated 6: Rider Benefits 7: Broker Only Deals. (CONS) Income Protection only?

  • Mutual Insurer status Life Insurance review
  • Income Protection Specialist Life Insurance review
  • Broker Only Deals Life Insurance review

British Friendly Claims Statistics:

British Friendly stats shows that their most common reasons for typical Income Protection payouts were Musculoskeletal, Covid, Mental Health & Cancer.

Defacto: 5 starsCover: AwardProtection Review: Award

Background

Review: The British Friendly Society history began back in 1902. The British Friendly was set up as a mutual originally, to help those look after commercial traveller’s income sickness needs.

They have been committed to looking after the best interests and well being of its UK mutual members ever since, based now from their Bedford head office.

With no shareholders that demand dividends, they are then free to re-invest all their profits into the things they believe that are important to both their customers & advisers.

This Friendly society also help look after British Airways staff benefits since 2002.

Their various income protection & investment style products are sold mainly via IFA’s and brokers.

British Friendly Income Protection Quotes

British Friendly Insurance Reviews UK 2025

‘Income Protection British Friendly’ 2025

In this British Friendly Insurance review, we will look at some broker only plans, key features and FAQ. British Friendly Society products give discretionary access to the following BF benefits…

BF member benefits also include savings on: weekly shopping / making wills / booking physio sessions.


*What’s MSE Martin Lewis British Friendly Review?

Martin Lewis recommend British Friendly Insurance?

In terms of the range of British Friendly Insurance products in 2025, MoneySavingExpert (MSE) are fully impartial with all their best buy reviews. As you maybe aware neither Martin nor MSE never endorse products.

Yes, they mention individual products & services on MSE site, but they make it very clear don’t ‘support’ them.

What does Martin Lewis say about British Friendly?

Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis hasn’t specifically commented on any particular British Friendly Income Insurance policies & how it stacks up against the competition. But British Friendly income protection plans are a discussed MSE forum topic.

However, he comments it’s worth looking at income protection insurance. He points out that it pays you an income if you’re unable to work due to illness or disability for a set period (generally a year or two).

Income protection will they say usually pay a proportion of your salary, for example two-thirds, so that essential spending is covered.

Income Insurance he comments generally includes a greater range of illnesses than critical illness cover, but can be more expensive they point out. When it comes to deciding between the two types of insurance if you were off sick, it could be worth speaking to a financial adviser.

The MoneySavingExpert also says that he does ‘100% recommend Life Insurance’, especially if you have any dependants. MSE says YES it’s a cheap financial lifeline but the ultimate monthly costs choice is yours.

MSE says ‘Thinking about how your family may cope financially if you were to die isn’t a very cheerful topic, BUT it is an Important One’. 

So Martin Lewis agrees life insurance is important if anyone is reliant on your Income & would struggle financially without you around ie; an insurable interest.



Martin Lewis also suggests being the Money Expert – that you “NEVER BLINDLY BUY DIRECT” expensive policy offers either via your Bank or One Insurer ie; Shop around or use a Broker.

Lastly, MoneySavingExpert also said generally remember, not all insurers plans are featured on insurance comparison sites. As brokers, we would also agree here – so let us help you shop around for your best broker deals.

BRITISH FRIENDLY INCOME PROTECTION’ Reviews

‘British Friendly Income Protection’ PHI provides security by way of a tax free monthly income if you are off longer term sick or have an accident or disability as specified by British Friendly Society.

Their 3 specialist PHI protection products are targeted at higher risk occupations like manual workers & the self employed. Designed to help protect the monthly bills or mortgage payments.

Key Features

  • Long Term Protect – full term in claim
  • Short Term Protect – for shorter term in claim
  • Breathing Space – Limited benefit for short term in claim
  • Short or longer term claim periods – 1/2 years / 5 years or full term
  • Upto 70% of annual taxable income – on Long & Short Term protect
  • Reviewable age-costed premiums means annual increases
  • Fracture Cover optional benefits
  • Policy terms available upto age 70
  • No limits to the number of claims
  • Considering applications for clients with type 2 diabetes

Key Features

  • Indexation options
  • Own occupation basis
  • Initial multiple waiting, deferred periods of 4, 8, 13, 26, 52 weeks or dual deferred
  • Benefits in claim paid weekly into your account
  • Waiver of premium inclusive
  • Any ongoing benefits from pensions or state benefits may reduce cover in claim
  • Need to advise Insurers on any changes to occupation status
 Income Protection British Friendly

Summary

‘British Friendly Income Protection’ plans may initially offer value for those on a budget against other Income Protection PHI Insurance Providers. Also our ‘British Friendly income protection reviews’ show they may cover some occupations that other Insurers don’t like covering eg; Airline Pilots.

They offer flexible underwriting terms. Check their terms when doing a quote or call us as to whether PHI policy being offered to you is paid under own occupation, any occupation or specified work tasks.

BROKER FAQ

*Can you amend ‘British Friendly Income Protection’ Insurance?

When doing any British Friendly protection reviews, you could;

  • reduce or perhaps extend the period of cover
  • decrease or increase the amount of cover
  • drop indexation option or any specific paid for policy features
  • change the collection date of your usual premiums

These changes could be subject to medical underwriting based on your circumstances at the time & may well affect your premiums. Please contact Insurers.

Note: Their income protection is not a death insurance but provides a lump sum equal to 26 weeks of their Income Protection benefit following their death.

*How do I cancel my Insurance Policy?

You may cancel your British Friendly society income protection plan at any time, if your circumstances change. Like all income insurance, you do have the right to change your mind within 30 days of your policy starting. The Insurers will then refund any premiums taken and your income protection insurance cover would then end. 

However, if you should cancel the income protection British Friendly insurance cover at any other time, you may not get anything back because your policy may have no cash in values at that time. This also means if your health changed adversely afterwards & you then tried to request your insurance policy is put back onto cover again, this maybe declined. 

We suggest you seek professional advice before taking this course of action.

*Importance of Disclosure & Claims

All Insurers are in business to protect, insure & payout. The income protection insurance cover is therefore based on your full disclosure at the time you took the original income protection British Friendly policy out ie; being 100% as honest & accurate as possible.

It is not always easy to remember all your historic health details when applying.

The Consumer Insurance Act 2013 says you must not be acting careless, deliberate or reckless when applying. If so, it may not payout ! eg; If you vape, then you must tell them you are smoker (even if it costs more).

Should you make a claim, your Insurers will send you a claim form for you to complete. Once received back, they will usually contact your GP to confirm any health details.

The British Friendly claims team will then assess if your insurance claim is valid and cross check if you originally disclosed all the correct details. If you look at the Insurers recent claims payout, you will see that it is Good (but if doing British Friendly reviews like most Insurers it’s – not 100%).

*What if my health lifestyle changes after taking a policy?

Any health or lifestyle changes since, usually does not void your existing income protection policy, if it wasn’t relevant at that time of initial underwritten insurance application eg; diagnosed high cholesterol, asthma or heart disease.

It maybe the Insurers request GP reports when you originally apply, to check any health details disclosed. Likewise they may not. Perhaps they put in some policy exclusions?

So take care to doubly re-check on your application what you initially disclosed to the Insurers, as this information then stands now and in the future. Please check your original T&C’s.

*If I start smoking after taking out the Insurance do I tell them?

If you had legitimately not been smoking for over 12 months at that time of original British Friendly Society application, you may wish to advise them you have started smoking or vaping again.

This should not affect the original policy terms & will still stand because you were being honest. Also maybe suggest letting your GP know if this is the case. 

Today, British Friendly Society have grown to be one of the more specialist brands and friendly societies selling income protection insurance in the UK.

British Friendly Income Protection’ Review Article 2025 by Martyn Spencer Financial Adviser

British Friendly Income Protection

For reassurance re health for men & women – we review many of the best Life Insurers selling Income Protection & Life Insurance in UK (inc NI)