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OMB guide 15 of 16 · 2027 edition

Protecting What You've Built

Life, income and home protection for homeowners, landlords and business owners.

Written by the OMB team · reviewed by Akhil Mair, Managing Director, CeMAPUpdated October 2026How we write and check our content

In this guide
  • Why protection matters when you take on a mortgage
  • The main types of cover, and who each suits
  • A fictional, illustrative case study

Protecting the income behind your mortgage

A mortgage is one of the biggest commitments most people make, yet many households have little or no cover if illness, injury or death stopped the income that pays for it. State support is limited and employer benefits often end when you change jobs. Reviewing protection when you take out or switch a mortgage is the simplest way to close the gap.

The main types of cover

  1. Life insurance. Pays a lump sum if you die during the policy term, often arranged to repay the mortgage. Decreasing cover falls in line with a repayment mortgage.
  2. Critical illness cover. Pays a lump sum on diagnosis of a specified serious illness, often alongside life cover.
  3. Income protection. Replaces part of your income if you cannot work through illness or injury, after a waiting period you choose, until you return to work or the policy ends.
  4. Buildings and contents insurance. Buildings cover is usually a mortgage condition. Landlords need specialist landlord cover.

Getting It Right

The right cover depends on your mortgage, dependants, savings, employer benefits and budget. Telling the insurer everything about your health and lifestyle is essential, as non-disclosure can lead to a claim being refused. Writing life cover in trust can mean a faster payout to the people you choose, and may keep it outside your estate for Inheritance Tax.

For landlords and business owners

Landlords should consider landlord buildings and liability cover, and rent guarantee insurance. Business owners often need key person cover or shareholder protection so the business can continue if a co-owner or key employee dies or becomes seriously ill.

How we advise

We give protection advice based on a fair and personal analysis of the whole of the market. We do not charge a fee; we receive commission from the insurer, which we confirm before you proceed.

Illustrative example · not a real client

Closing the gap with a new mortgage: a fictional case study

When Owen and Chidinma took out their first mortgage, their adviser reviewed their protection at the same time. They arranged joint decreasing life cover to match the mortgage, written in trust, and an income protection policy for Owen, the main earner, closing a gap they had not realised they had.

Names, figures and circumstances are fictional and illustrative only. They do not represent an actual client of Our Mortgage Broker Limited.

When did you last review your protection?

Speak to a CeMAP-qualified OMB adviser: whole-of-market advice, with any fee confirmed in writing before you proceed. Read more about protection insurance.

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Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Most buy-to-let and commercial mortgages are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Our Mortgage Broker Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 944663). Registered in England and Wales, company no. 11358646. Registered office: 23 Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London W1J 6HE. There may be a fee for mortgage advice: we may charge up to 1% of the loan amount, and our typical fee is £500. Your fee agreement sets out the exact fee and when it is payable (at decision in principle, application or mortgage offer); fees are not refundable once due. We usually also receive commission from the lender. This guide is general information only and is not personal advice. Case studies are fictional, illustrative examples and do not represent real clients. Rates, tax and regulatory information are correct as at October 2026 and may change, including at the Autumn Budget on 28 October 2026.