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National Friendly income protection
National Friendly offer income protection products designed to replace a proportion of your income if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury. Available through financial advisers and directly.
Structure
Mutual
Based in
Bristol
Specialist in
Income protection
Regulated by
FCA & PRA
Income protection for the self-employed
If you’re self-employed, a contractor or a freelancer, income protection is arguably your most important financial protection, there’s no employer sick pay to fall back on. National Friendly offer income protection suited to the self-employed, and we compare them against other specialist and mainstream providers to find the best fit for your circumstances.
Monthly benefit if you can’t work
National Friendly income protection pays a monthly benefit if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury, helping you meet your financial commitments while you recover.
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.
Comparison with other providers
We compare National Friendly against The Exeter, Holloway Friendly, British Friendly, Cirencester Friendly and Shepherds Friendly to find the best fit for your occupation and income structure.
A Bristol-based mutual insurer
National Friendly is a mutual insurer based in Bristol. As a mutual, 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.
National Friendly Society Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
Mutual
Member-owned
Bristol
UK headquarters
FCA & PRA
UK regulated

How National Friendly fits in the specialist IP market
National Friendly sits alongside The Exeter, Holloway Friendly, British Friendly, Cirencester Friendly and Shepherds Friendly as part of the specialist mutual income protection market. Each provider has different strengths in terms of occupation acceptance, product features, pricing and added-value benefits. We compare all of them to find the best fit for your specific circumstances.
Why use an independent adviser for National Friendly?
National Friendly is a specialist provider, and knowing when they’re the right fit is exactly where independent advice adds value. As an adviser, That’s Family Finance can compare National Friendly against The Exeter, Holloway Friendly, British Friendly, Cirencester Friendly, Shepherds Friendly, Royal London and LV= before making a recommendation.
Our advice is free of charge at the point of advice. The insurer may pay us a commission if you take out a policy, which we will always disclose clearly.
Other specialist income protection providers
We compare National Friendly against these providers.
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.
Cirencester Friendly Income Protection Explained
Specialist mutual particularly well regarded for manual and specialist occupations.
Shepherds Friendly Income Protection Explained
One of the UK’s oldest mutual insurers, founded in 1826, offering income protection.
Get Income Protection Advice
Not sure which provider is right for you? Send us an enquiry for an honest view.

Protection advice, available across the UK
That’s Family Finance provides 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 National Friendly alongside other protection providers, including The Exeter, Holloway Friendly, British Friendly, Cirencester Friendly, Shepherds Friendly and Royal London.
We are not National Friendly.
Want to know if National Friendly is right for you?
Send us an enquiry or reach us on WhatsApp for an honest, no-obligation view.
Not tied to National Friendly
Common questions
Questions we’re asked about National Friendly.
Always refer to National Friendly’s own policy documentation for the most current details, including full product terms and conditions, covered conditions, definitions and exclusions.
We are not National Friendly. This page contains information about National Friendly’s products based on their published materials at the time of writing. National Friendly Society Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
Talk it through with us
Tell us what you have in mind and we will come back to you, usually the same day. We are open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 8pm.