Zurich paid out on 93 per cent of new income protection claims in 2014, according to its latest figures.

Of the 687 IP customers receiving payments in 2014, 69 were new claims of which 93 per cent were successful. The remaining 7 per cent were rejected for failing to meet policy criteria.

Insurance and investment firm Friends First has reduced the cost of its income protection cover across a range of occupations by up to 20pc. In 2014, Friends First paid over €30m to income protection claimants, supporting them during their illness, the investment firm said. Most people think they are entitled to sick pay in the event of being out of work through injury, illness or disability. But the reality is that while many employers do provide sick pay on a voluntary basis, many schemes are for six months or less, Friends First said.