Desks, sites and the odd loft
Surveyors split their time between office and site. Quantity surveyors spend most of the day on costs, contracts and valuations. Building surveyors inspect properties, which can mean lofts, cellars, roof voids and ladders. Land and geomatics surveyors work outdoors with equipment in all weathers. Valuation surveyors may visit several homes a day, which means a lot of time behind the wheel.
The physical risks are modest compared with trades, but there is still driving, site visits and the occasional climb. Long hours, deadlines and client pressure can affect mental health, which is a common reason professionals take time off.
Employed, partner or sole practitioner
Many surveyors are employed by consultancies, contractors or public bodies, often with good sick pay and sometimes group income protection or death in service. Others are partners in practices or run their own firms, with no sick pay at all.
If you run a practice, think about your business as well as yourself. Key person cover, shareholder protection and business expenses cover can protect the firm if you or a partner become seriously ill or die.
- Employed: check sick pay and any group income protection
- Partners: partnership protection can fund a buyout
- Sole practitioners: no sick pay, so plan a buffer
- Company directors: executive income protection is an option
Professional ratings and own occupation cover
Insurers group occupations by risk. Quantity surveyors and most building surveyors are usually rated close to professional office jobs, which means lower premiums and wide access to own occupation cover. That pays if you cannot work as a surveyor, even if you could do something else.
Surveyors who regularly climb roofs or work on hazardous sites may be rated more heavily. Describe your typical week accurately.
Because a professional rating makes cover more affordable, employed surveyors with generous sick pay can often choose a long waiting period, such as six months, and still protect themselves against a long illness for a modest outlay.
Life cover for surveyors
Should you die during the policy, life cover pays out a lump sum. Surveying has little effect on life cover terms. Many surveyors set cover to clear a mortgage and replace income for their family, with any death in service as a top-up.
Writing personal cover in trust helps the money reach your family quickly and can keep it outside your estate for inheritance tax.
How Hi Tomorrow helps surveyors
We look at your role, your employer benefits or practice structure and your outgoings, then compare our panel for the best own occupation terms. We can also look at business protection if you run a firm.
Surveyors often have strong options, which makes it tempting to buy the first quote. The definitions, extras and claim support still vary between insurers, so it is worth seeing a few side by side. We guide the application and help you, or your family, if you ever need to claim.