From the drawing board to the test rig
Mechanical engineering covers a wide range of jobs. Some engineers spend almost every day in CAD and simulation software. Others work in manufacturing plants, commission equipment or lead maintenance teams. Your title tells an insurer less than what your days actually involve.
Desk-based engineers face the usual office risks: back and neck strain and mental health conditions linked to deadlines and workload. Engineers who work around rotating machinery and heavy components add some risk of injury. Income protection pays a monthly benefit if you cannot work for longer than your deferred period, whatever the cause.
How insurers rate engineering work
A design engineer in an office is often rated similarly to other professionals. An engineer who regularly works on the shop floor, climbs equipment or handles heavy parts may be placed in a higher group, which can raise the price and sometimes limit the definition available.
Own occupation cover, which judges you against your own engineering role, is widely available for office-based engineers. For more hands-on roles, some insurers offer it and others use a suited occupation test, so compare carefully.
- Estimate your time at a desk versus in a plant or workshop
- Mention work at height or with heavy machinery
- Include regular travel to client sites or overseas
Employer benefits and contracting
Large engineering employers in sectors such as automotive, aerospace and energy often provide sick pay, group income protection and death in service. Check the scheme rules, as group cover may stop paying after a set period or end when you leave.
Contract engineers paid through a limited company or umbrella usually lose income straight away. Executive income protection and relevant life cover can let your company pay for protection. A shorter deferred period may suit you if your reserves are modest.
Shift patterns and plant shutdowns
Engineers in manufacturing may work shifts, cover weekend shutdowns or be on call for breakdowns. Fatigue from broken sleep and pressure to get a line running again add to the strain on body and mind.
None of this usually stops you getting cover, but describe your working pattern accurately so the insurer has a clear view of your role.
Life cover and how Hi Tomorrow helps engineers
If someone depends on your salary, a life policy can pay off the mortgage or provide an income for your family. Critical illness cover is another option, paying a lump sum on diagnosis of a listed serious condition.
We take your real duties, not just your job title, to the insurers on our panel. That gives you an accurate rating, a definition you understand and cover that fits around any employer benefits you already have.