Income Protection is an insurance policy that pays out if you're unable to work because of injury or illness. Income protection usually pays out until retirement, death or your return to work, although short-term income protection policies, which last for one or two years, are also available at a lower cost.
Neither income protection or short-term income protection pays out if you're made redundant - but they will often provide 'back to work' help if you're off sick.
Income protection is different from critical illness insurance, which pays out a lump sum if you fall seriously ill.
As with all insurances, conditions and exclusions will apply.