Holloway Friendly: Tailored Income Protection for All Types of Workers

When you’re thinking about how to protect your income if you ever become too ill or injured to work, Holloway Friendly is a name that often comes up, and for good reason.

As the original inventor of income protection insurance, Holloway Friendly has a long-standing reputation for doing things differently, with policies designed around real people and their real lives.

At Kerr & Watson, we work with clients like you to determine whether Holloway Friendly is the right fit.

Whether you’re employed, self-employed, or somewhere in between, we’ll help you understand your options and find the most suitable protection.

Who Are Holloway Friendly?

Founded in 1880, Holloway Friendly is a mutual society. This means it’s owned by its members, not shareholders, so the focus is always on providing long-term value and support to policyholders. Unlike some mainstream insurers, Holloway Friendly focuses exclusively on income protection, which gives them deep expertise in this vital area of financial planning.

As one of the few providers offering tailored policies for people in a wide range of occupations, Holloway Friendly is especially popular among tradespeople, freelancers, and professionals who want straightforward, dependable cover if their ability to earn is ever at risk.

What Cover Does Holloway Friendly Offer?

Holloway Friendly specialises in income protection, not life or critical illness cover, so all of their products are centred around replacing your income if you’re unable to work.

Core Income Protection Products

They currently offer three main products:

Purely Income Protection: Offers long-term or short-term cover for a wide range of jobs, including higher-risk occupations. Payments continue until you return to work or the end of your policy term.
One2Protect: A budget-friendly, customisable plan designed for lower-risk roles such as office-based jobs. It includes flexible waiting periods and benefit levels.
Classic Plus: A version of income protection with an added twist — it includes a potential lump-sum payout at the end of the policy if you’ve made no claims and held your cover long-term.

Each product can be adapted to suit your income, lifestyle, and risk level, making them more flexible than many off-the-shelf options.

Key Benefits of Holloway Friendly Policies

Holloway Friendly’s income protection plans come with a number of unique or enhanced features, including:

Terminal Illness Benefit: A lump-sum payment equal to six times your monthly benefit if you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness, regardless of whether you’re currently claiming.
Hazardous Hobbies Exclusions: You can choose to exclude high-risk hobbies from your policy, which could help reduce premiums — a feature not often offered by other insurers.
Inflation Protection: Optional indexation means your benefit can rise in line with inflation (up to 10% annually), keeping your cover meaningful over time.
Flexible Waiting Periods: Choose how long you want to wait before your benefit kicks in — a shorter wait means quicker payouts, a longer wait can reduce premiums.
Long-Term or Short-Term Cover: You can tailor the length of time you’d like the policy to pay out, for example, 1–2 years or right up to retirement age.
Cover for Manual Workers: Many insurers place restrictions on tradespeople or those in physically demanding jobs. Holloway Friendly actively caters for these occupations.

All of this is designed to make income protection accessible and relevant, no matter what your job or health background looks like.

Who Might Holloway Friendly Be Right For?

You may want to consider Holloway Friendly if:

You work in a trade, healthcare, education, or other role with a physical or practical element
You’re self-employed and can’t rely on sick pay
You want cover that’s flexible to your specific job or earnings pattern
You have been declined by other insurers due to your occupation
You’re looking for a provider with strong customer values and a transparent claims process

If you’re in a low-risk job and want affordable income protection with optional extras, the One2Protect plan might be an ideal match. On the other hand, if you need robust long-term support, Classic Plus or Purely Income Protection could offer a better fit.

What About Cost?

As with all income protection policies, the cost of cover depends on:

Your age and overall health
Smoking status
Occupation and income
Length of deferred period (waiting time before claim payouts begin)
Chosen benefit amount and policy term
Optional extras like indexation or lump-sum end benefits

Because Holloway Friendly offers flexibility in all these areas, the pricing can vary significantly. At Kerr & Watson, we’ll take your personal circumstances into account to help find the most cost-effective balance between comprehensive cover and manageable premiums.

Why Work With Kerr & Watson?

At Kerr & Watson, we don’t just give quotes. We give real advice, rooted in experience and tailored to your life.

Here’s how we add value when you’re exploring income protection:

We help you understand the fine print and match you with providers who accept your occupation and health profile
We compare Holloway Friendly against a wide panel of insurers — not just the big names
We simplify the process of applying, managing medical disclosures, and choosing optional features
We support you throughout your policy’s lifetime, helping with reviews or claims if needed

We take the time to understand not just what you do for work, but how your life would be impacted if you couldn’t do it, and then find protection that fits.

Conclusion

Holloway Friendly stands out in the market for its singular focus on income protection and its inclusive, customer-first approach. Whether you’re in a practical job, run your own business, or just want solid, flexible cover in case the unexpected happens, they’re a provider well worth considering.

But as with all financial products, the best solution depends on your unique situation. That’s why getting advice matters.

Get in touch with Kerr & Watson today to explore your income protection options. We’ll help you decide whether Holloway Friendly is the right choice for you or guide you toward a plan that better suits your needs and budget.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Holloway Friendly

▸ ▾ Is Holloway Friendly good for income protection?

Holloway Friendly can be a good income protection provider for the right customer. It may be suitable if you want cover that pays a regular income if you cannot work because of illness or injury.

▸ ▾ Can Kerr & Watson help me apply to Holloway Friendly?

Yes, Kerr & Watson can help you compare Holloway Friendly with other income protection providers. We can review your job, income, sick pay, medical history and budget before recommending suitable cover.

▸ ▾ What does Holloway Friendly income protection cover?

Income protection is designed to pay a monthly benefit if you are unable to work due to illness or injury. The policy details, benefit amount, waiting period and claim rules depend on the cover selected.

▸ ▾ Is Holloway Friendly suitable for self-employed people?

Holloway Friendly may be suitable for self-employed applicants who do not have employer sick pay. It can help protect your income if illness or injury stops you working.

▸ ▾ How much income protection can I get?

The amount of income protection available depends on your earnings and the provider’s rules. Kerr & Watson can help calculate a suitable level of cover based on your household expenses and income.

▸ ▾ What waiting period should I choose?

The waiting period should be based on how long you could manage without income. If you have savings or employer sick pay, you may be able to choose a longer waiting period and reduce the cost.

▸ ▾ Does Holloway Friendly accept medical conditions?

Holloway Friendly may consider applicants with medical conditions, but underwriting will depend on the details. Some conditions may be accepted, excluded or lead to higher premiums.

▸ ▾ Is Holloway Friendly better than other income protection providers?

Holloway Friendly may be better for some customers, but not everyone. The right provider depends on your occupation, health, income, budget and required benefits.

▸ ▾ How much does Holloway Friendly cost?

The cost depends on your age, occupation, health, smoking status, benefit amount, waiting period and policy term. Comparing options helps you understand whether the cover offers good value.

▸ ▾ Should I get advice before choosing Holloway Friendly?

Yes, income protection should be tailored carefully. Kerr & Watson can compare Holloway Friendly with other providers and help choose the right policy for your circumstances.

Common Insurance Provider Questions

▸ ▾ How do I know which insurance provider is right for me?

The right insurance provider will depend on the type of cover you need, your age, health, lifestyle, occupation, budget and the reason for taking out the policy. Some insurers may be stronger for life insurance, while others may be more suitable for income protection, critical illness cover, private medical insurance or business protection. An adviser can compare providers and help recommend cover that suits your circumstances.

▸ ▾ Do all insurance providers offer the same cover?

No. Insurance providers can offer different policy features, definitions, exclusions, underwriting rules, claims processes and optional extras. Two policies may look similar at first, but the quality of cover can vary significantly. This is why it is important to compare more than just the monthly premium.

▸ ▾ Is the cheapest insurance provider always the best option?

Not always. The cheapest policy may not provide the most suitable cover for your needs. It is important to consider what the policy covers, what it excludes, how claims are assessed, whether optional benefits are included and whether the provider’s underwriting is suitable for your circumstances.

▸ ▾ Why use an insurance adviser instead of applying directly?

An insurance adviser can help compare providers, explain the differences between policies and recommend cover based on your needs. This can be especially useful if you are protecting a mortgage, have a family, are self-employed, have pre-existing medical conditions, work in a higher-risk occupation or want to make sure the policy is set up correctly.

▸ ▾ Can an adviser compare multiple insurance providers?

Yes. An adviser can compare a range of insurance providers and policy types, helping you understand which options may be suitable. This can include life insurance, critical illness cover, income protection, private medical insurance and business protection, depending on your needs.

▸ ▾ Do insurance providers assess medical history differently?

Yes. Insurance providers can take different views on medical history, medication, BMI, smoking, family history and previous health conditions. One provider may offer standard terms, while another may increase the premium, exclude a condition or decline cover. Choosing the right provider can make a significant difference.

▸ ▾ Can I get insurance if I have a pre-existing medical condition?

You may still be able to get insurance if you have a pre-existing medical condition, but the terms will depend on the condition, severity, treatment, recovery, time since diagnosis and the type of cover required. Some insurers may be more flexible than others, so it is worth getting advice before applying.

▸ ▾ Do insurance providers check my medical records?

Some insurance applications can be accepted based on the information provided in the application, while others may require additional medical evidence. This could include a GP report, nurse screening, medical exam or further questions from the insurer. The level of underwriting depends on the provider, policy type, cover amount and your medical history.

▸ ▾ Will an insurance provider pay out if I make a claim?

A valid claim should be paid if it meets the policy terms and the information provided at application was accurate. Claims can be affected if the condition is not covered, an exclusion applies, premiums have not been maintained or important information was not disclosed when applying. This is why it is important to answer application questions carefully.

▸ ▾ Can I have more than one insurance policy?

Yes. Many people have more than one insurance policy, especially if each policy has a different purpose. For example, you may have life insurance to protect a mortgage, income protection to replace earnings if you cannot work, and critical illness cover to provide a lump sum following a serious illness. The right combination will depend on your needs and budget.

▸ ▾ Should I review my insurance if my circumstances change?

Yes. It is sensible to review your insurance after major life changes, such as buying a home, remortgaging, having children, changing jobs, becoming self-employed, increasing your borrowing or starting a business. Your existing cover may no longer match your needs, or there may be better-suited options available.

▸ ▾ Can Kerr & Watson help me choose between insurance providers?

Yes. Kerr & Watson can review your circumstances, compare suitable insurance providers and explain which options may be available. We can help with life insurance, critical illness cover, income protection, private medical insurance, business protection and cover for more complex circumstances.