How Long Would You Financially Last If Your Income Stopped?
Most people insure their phone.
Most people insure their car.
But very few people insure the one thing that pays for everything else — their income.
So let me ask you a simple question:
If your income stopped tomorrow, how long would you financially last?
A week?
A month?
Longer?
For most households I speak to across Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland, the honest answer is: not very long.
The Real Financial Risk Isn’t Death. It’s Disruption.
When people think about protection, they usually think about life cover.
But statistically, the bigger day-to-day risk isn’t dying.
It’s being off work.
An accident.
An illness.
A mental health issue.
Something that stops you earning for a period of time.
Your mortgage doesn’t pause.
Your energy bills don’t stop.
Your food shop still needs paying for.
The question isn’t “Would it be stressful?”
It’s “How would we cover it?”
What Would Happen To Your Mortgage?
If you’ve just bought a home — or you’re planning to — this becomes even more important.
A mortgage is usually your biggest financial commitment.
If one of you:
- Passed away
- Became seriously ill
- Or couldn’t work for a period of time
Would the household still function financially?
That’s the real purpose of protection.
Not scare tactics.
Not technical jargon.
Just making sure the bills still get paid if something unexpected happens.
Most Families Overestimate Their Safety Net
A common response I hear from clients is:
“We’ve got some savings.”
And that’s great.
But when we break it down:
- How long would those savings actually last?
- Would they cover the full mortgage and bills?
- What happens if it’s longer than expected?
Many illnesses and injuries don’t mean you’ll never work again.
They just mean you can’t work for a period of time.
Even a short interruption to income can create pressure — especially with today’s mortgage rates and cost of living.
Protection Isn’t One Thing
It isn’t a single product.
It’s about putting the right combination in place for your situation.
For some households, that might mean cover so the mortgage is cleared if one of you passed away.
For others, it might mean having a monthly income paid if you couldn’t work.
For young families in the North East buying their first home, it often means making sure the household can still run even if one income stops.
Every situation is different.
That’s why advice matters.
Mortgage Advice Isn’t Just About The Rate
When I arrange mortgages through MortgagePal, we don’t just talk about interest rates and lender criteria.
We also look at:
- What would happen if something went wrong?
- Would your partner cope financially?
- Would your children be secure?
- Would you be forced to sell?
That’s part of responsible advice.
Not pushing products.
Just making sure you’ve thought about the risks that matter.
Buying a Home in Newcastle or Northumberland? Think Beyond Completion Day.
The goal isn’t just to get approved for a mortgage.
It’s to build a household that’s financially stable — even if life throws something at you.
Because the biggest financial risk usually isn’t death.
It’s disruption.
Final Thought
If your income stopped tomorrow…
How long would you financially last?
If you’re not sure, that’s usually a sign it’s worth reviewing.
If you’re buying, remortgaging, or just want to understand how to properly protect your mortgage, I’m Anthony Vickers — a North East mortgage broker helping clients across Newcastle and Northumberland.
Your mortgage, made simple.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Protection policies are subject to underwriting, terms and conditions.
