Cirencester Friendly Income Protection UK
Explained by an independent adviser
Cirencester Friendly Income Protection UK
Cirencester Friendly is a specialist mutual insurer based in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, with a long history of providing income protection to UK individuals. They are particularly well regarded for covering the self-employed and those in manual or specialist occupations that mainstream providers may struggle to accommodate. As an independent adviser, we can tell you honestly whether Cirencester Friendly is the right fit for your circumstances.
Written by Ben Tomlin, Financial Adviser · FCA No. 1038034 · Last reviewed June 2026
▶ In plain English — who are Cirencester Friendly?
Cirencester Friendly have been around since 1890 and are based in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. They’re a mutual insurer — owned by their members, not shareholders. They specialise in income protection and are particularly well known for their willingness to cover a wide range of occupations, including many manual and specialist roles that mainstream providers may decline or rate heavily. If you’ve been told you can’t get income protection because of your job, Cirencester Friendly is often worth exploring.
As an independent firm, we’re not tied to Cirencester Friendly. If they’re the best option for your circumstances, we’ll tell you. If another provider offers better terms, we’ll tell you that too.
On this page
How Cirencester Friendly income protection works
Cirencester Friendly offer income protection that replaces a proportion of your income if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury. Their products are available through independent financial advisers and are particularly well suited to those in occupations that mainstream providers find difficult to cover.
Own-occupation definition
Cirencester Friendly offer an own-occupation definition on their income protection — meaning a claim is assessed against your ability to do your specific job, not just any job. This is the gold standard definition and particularly important for the self-employed and those in skilled or manual occupations.
Monthly benefit paid during a valid claim
If you’re unable to work due to illness or injury, Cirencester Friendly pay your agreed monthly benefit after the deferred period. The benefit continues until you return to work, reach the end of the policy term, or the policy expires.
Flexible deferred periods
Choose a deferred period to suit your financial situation. A longer deferred period reduces the premium — useful if you have savings to cover a short-term absence from work.
Waiver of premium
Waiver of premium means your premiums are waived during a valid claim, keeping your policy in force when you need it most.
Wellbeing support included
Cirencester Friendly include added-value wellbeing support with their income protection policies, giving policyholders access to health and wellbeing services without needing to make a claim.
Founded
1890
Structure
Mutual
Based in
Cirencester, Glos
Specialist in
Income protection
Wide occupation acceptance — including manual roles
One of Cirencester Friendly’s key strengths is their willingness to consider a wide range of occupations — including many manual and specialist roles that mainstream providers may decline or rate heavily. This makes them a particularly valuable option for clients in trades, construction, agriculture, healthcare and other hands-on professions.
Trades & construction
Builders, electricians, plumbers, carpenters and other tradespeople often find specialist mutuals more accommodating than mainstream providers.
Self-employed & contractors
No employer sick pay means income protection is critical. Cirencester Friendly understand variable income and self-employed working patterns.
Healthcare & care workers
Those in physically demanding healthcare and care roles may find Cirencester Friendly more willing to offer cover than some mainstream providers.
Agriculture & outdoor roles
Farmers, groundskeepers and those in outdoor or agricultural roles are among the occupations Cirencester Friendly are known to consider.
Cirencester Friendly for the self-employed
Cirencester Friendly’s income protection is well suited to the self-employed, contractors and freelancers. The own-occupation definition means a claim is assessed against your ability to do your specific job — not just any job. Their wide occupation acceptance makes them particularly valuable for self-employed individuals in trades, construction and other manual roles.
If you’re self-employed, income protection is arguably your most important financial protection — there’s no employer sick pay to fall back on. Cirencester Friendly is one of several specialist providers we compare for self-employed clients, alongside The Exeter, Holloway Friendly and British Friendly.
Over 130 years of mutual heritage
Cirencester Friendly was founded in 1890 and is based in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. As a mutual insurer, it is owned by its members rather than external shareholders — meaning profits are reinvested for the benefit of policyholders rather than paid out as dividends. This member-focused structure is a hallmark of the friendly society tradition in UK financial services.
Cirencester Friendly Society Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
1890
Year founded
Mutual
Member-owned
Cirencester
Gloucestershire HQ
Why use an independent adviser for Cirencester Friendly?
Cirencester Friendly is a specialist provider — and knowing when they’re the right fit is exactly where independent advice adds value. As a whole-of-market adviser, That’s Family Finance can compare Cirencester Friendly against The Exeter, Holloway Friendly, British Friendly, Royal London, LV= and all mainstream providers before making a recommendation.
Our advice is independent, FCA-regulated, and free of charge at the point of advice. We are paid by commission from the insurer if you proceed — which we will always disclose clearly.
Other specialist income protection providers
We compare Cirencester Friendly against all of these and more.
The Exeter Income Protection Explained
Specialist mutual with strong own-occupation income protection, particularly for the self-employed.
Holloway Friendly Income Protection Explained
Unique income protection with a built-in savings element — money back if you don’t claim.
British Friendly Income Protection Explained
Flexible income protection including the Breathing Space product with pause and reduce options.
Royal London Protection Explained
A fellow mutual insurer with strong income protection and the Helping Hand added-value service.
Get Independent Income Protection Advice
Not sure which provider is right for you? Send us an enquiry for an honest, whole-of-market view.
Independent advice, available across the UK
That’s Family Finance provides independent protection advice to families and individuals across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Whether you’re in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Glasgow, Essex or anywhere in between, we work with you remotely or in person to find the right cover for your circumstances.
We advise on Cirencester Friendly alongside all other major protection providers including The Exeter, Holloway Friendly, British Friendly, Royal London, LV= and Legal & General.
We are not Cirencester Friendly. That’s Family Finance is an independent, FCA-regulated firm (No. 1038034).
In a manual occupation or been declined elsewhere?
We’re independent and whole-of-market. Send us an enquiry or reach us on WhatsApp for an honest, no-obligation view on whether Cirencester Friendly is right for you.
FCA regulated · No obligation · Not tied to Cirencester Friendly
Common questions
Questions we’re asked about Cirencester Friendly.
What is Cirencester Friendly income protection?
Cirencester Friendly offer specialist income protection that pays a monthly benefit if you are unable to work due to illness or injury. They are a mutual insurer based in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, particularly well regarded for covering the self-employed and those in manual or specialist occupations.
Is Cirencester Friendly good for the self-employed?
Yes. Cirencester Friendly is well regarded for income protection for the self-employed, offering own-occupation definitions and a wide occupation acceptance including many manual and specialist roles that mainstream providers may decline or rate heavily.
Is Cirencester Friendly a mutual insurer?
Yes. Cirencester Friendly is a mutual insurer, meaning it is owned by its members rather than shareholders. Profits are reinvested for the benefit of members rather than paid out as shareholder dividends.
What occupations does Cirencester Friendly cover?
Cirencester Friendly are known for accepting a wide range of occupations, including many manual and specialist roles that mainstream providers may decline or rate heavily. An independent adviser can assess whether Cirencester Friendly is the right fit for your occupation.
How does Cirencester Friendly compare to The Exeter and Holloway Friendly?
All three are specialist mutual income protection providers. The right choice depends on your occupation, income structure and personal circumstances. As independent advisers, we compare all three alongside mainstream providers to find the best fit for you.
How do I access Cirencester Friendly income protection?
Cirencester Friendly products are available through FCA-regulated independent financial advisers. As a whole-of-market adviser, That’s Family Finance can access Cirencester Friendly alongside all other major UK income protection providers.
Cirencester Friendly’s added-value services are provided by third parties and are not part of the core insurance contract. They may be amended or withdrawn at any time. Always refer to Cirencester Friendly’s own policy documentation for the most current details, including full product terms and conditions.
We are not Cirencester Friendly. That’s Family Finance is an independent, FCA-regulated firm (No. 1038034). This page contains information about Cirencester Friendly’s products based on their published materials at the time of writing. Cirencester Friendly Society Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.