Income protection for freelancers

Ive been lucky enough during my freelance career to have only had one bad illness that has stopped me from working.

I spent two weeks in Lewisham Hospital in 2009 after an emergency appendix op. Luckily for me, it happened just after I finished a large HSBC job so didn't have any major work implications. But I have often wondered how I'd cope if something worse happened - at a bad time.

No work, no pay - that's how it works for freelancers.

After my stint at Lewisham (proudly voted the third worst hospital in the country during my stay. Hope I didn't have anything to do with that) I did get some quotes for income protection - yet they were extraordinarily expensive and very unattractive. For starters, they wouldn't pay a penny during the first year of illness.

So I've gone without. I pay enough to insurance companies. Life, home, car, scooter etc. etc. and don't think I've made a claim once.

I'll just have to stay on my feet and avoid any stupid sporting injuries.

Andrew (written in the A&E department of Lewisham hospital, 24 hours after being hit full pelt in the groin by a cricket ball)