‍In this article, you’ll learn:

• Who should consider income protection on B2B contracts?
• Is income protection an alternative to state insurance (ZUS)?
• How does income protection insurance work for B2B professionals?
• How much does B2B income protection cost?

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Who Is Income Protection for?

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Income protection insurance is designed for self-employed professionals working under B2B contracts. It offers financial support in case of temporary or permanent inability to work due to illness or an accident.

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Important: This is not insurance for general job loss (e.g. dismissal or performance issues). The benefit is only paid if you're medically unfit to work, due to illness or accident.

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Unlike employees on work contracts who can rely on relatively high sickness benefits from the state (ZUS), B2B professionals often receive only the minimum benefits - if any.In Poland, this affects millions. There are nearly 2 million sole traders, many of whom work in sectors like IT, law, marketing, and sales - often under B2B arrangements.

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Why B2B Income Protection Is Crucial in the IT Sector

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Let’s take IT as an example, where B2B contracts are extremely common, especially at senior levels. In mid-2024, there were around 230,000 IT businesses in Poland — over 99% of them are micro-enterprises (fewer than 10 employees). These are mostly B2B-based businesses.

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Why B2B?

• Employers save on costs by hiring through B2B.
• Professionals take home a higher net income.

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According to No Fluff Jobs (H1 2024):

• 74% of offers for senior IT roles were B2B contracts.
• Almost 50% of junior-level roles also used the B2B model.

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This trend proves that B2B is a mutually beneficial solution — but it comes with risk. That’s where income protection insurance becomes essential.

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Who Else Buys Income Protection Insurance?

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While IT professionals make up a large portion of our clients, they’re not the only ones who benefit from this cover. Common professions include:

• Doctors and medical staff
• Managers across industries
• Drivers and couriers
• Skilled tradespeople (e.g. handymen, repair technicians)
• Beauty professionals (e.g. hairdressers, beauticians)

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If you issue B2B invoices, it’s worth considering income protection insurance.

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Is B2B Income Protection an Alternative to ZUS?

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Yes, and in many ways, it’s a better safety net.

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If you’re self-employed and unable to work, you might receive very little - or nothing - from the state. Even on the "large ZUS" contribution, the sickness benefit in 2025 is less than PLN 3,000 gross per month. That’s hardly enough to cover rent, bills, and family expenses - let alone medical treatment or rehabilitation.

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For those on the "small ZUS" plan, the benefit is even lower - under PLN 1,000 per month. By contrast, income protection insurance for B2B professionals can pay up to 65% of your regular income.

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This allows you to pay your bills and focus on recovery - not on financial stress.

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What Does Income Protection Insurance Cover?

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At Leadenhall, income protection insurance covers you in case of illness or accident that results in inability to work in your specific profession (as defined in the policy).

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Key coverage includes:

• Temporary total disability – If you’re expected to recover, you can receive up to 80% of your monthly income (based on the average from the past 12 months), for up to 24 months.
• Permanent total disability – If you are unable to ever return to your profession, you may receive up to 10x your annual income as a one-time payout.
• Accidental death or permanent disability – Optional cover that can pay up to PLN 10 million in the event of fatal or serious accidents.

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No matter the scenario, this kind of protection ensures real financial support when you’re unable to work due to health reasons.

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3 Key Benefits of Income Protection for B2B Professionals

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Transparent evaluation of medical history

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Pre-existing conditions are only excluded if they occurred within 24 months before the policy start date.

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Separate benefits for temporary and permanent disability

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You can receive payments during a temporary recovery period and still qualify for permanent disability benefits if needed.

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Customizable protection

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You can extend the cover to include:

• Costs of adjusting to disability
• HIV infection cover (especially for healthcare professionals)

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How Much Does B2B Income Protection Insurance Cost?

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First things first: income protection is not a luxury product. It’s available to professionals of all income levels.

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If your monthly B2B income is PLN 5,000–6,000 net, this is income worth protecting. And if you earn more — it’s even more crucial.

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How much does it cost? On average, Leadenhall’s calculator estimates the cost at about 1.5% of your annual income.

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Example:

Let’s say you earn PLN 120,000 per year. That means:

• Annual premium: PLN 1,800
• Monthly benefit (if you become unfit to work): up to PLN 6,500

That money can help you:

• Pay your mortgage
• Cover your children’s education
• Handle day-to-day living expenses

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Ready to Secure Your Income?

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With the right income protection insurance, you’ll receive benefits tailored to your actual income — when you need them most.

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Need help choosing a plan? Get in touch and let’s talk about the best protection for your profession and income level.

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