Findings from our latest Bruised Britain research, surveying 5,000 UK adults, paint a stark picture of the disconnect between the real risks faced by manual workers and the level of financial protection they have in place. This is a demographic with high exposure and low coverage, and the protection gap is concerning.
Heightened risk, low protection
One of the most striking findings from our research is that nearly a quarter of manual workers (23%) believe they are likely to have a workplace accident in the next one to three years. This is higher than the national average of 19%, reflecting a real awareness of occupational risk among this group.
Despite this heightened risk, manual workers remain one of the least protected demographics. Just 4% hold Income Protection, and only 1% have Accident Only Income Protection policies. When compared to the real and perceived risk of injury, these figures expose a worrying lack of financial safety nets.
Even more concerning is that 36% of manual workers have never considered what they would do financially if a non-fatal accident impacted their earnings. This suggests not just a lack of provision, but a gap in awareness, and potential accessibility barriers with protection products - whether in affordability, underwriting or product clarity.
Financial fragility and unrealistic plans
If faced with a non-fatal accident, 45% say they would dip into their savings, 18% would rely on Government support, and another 18% would lean on a partner. One in four (24%) don’t know what they’d do - much higher than the national average (15%). These strategies are shaky at best, especially for workers who are statistically more likely to experience an accident and whose physical jobs often involve more recovery time.
In fact, 13% of manual workers expect to take more than the average 11.5 days off following an accident, meaning time off could be even more devastating.
Yet the preference among manual workers is clear: financial support is key. When asked what kind of recovery support they would value most, 33% prioritised financial help (compared to 26% across wider population), while a similar number value therapies like physio (33% versus 43% nationally).
This demonstrates that this group needs direct, tangible income protection above all else.
A clear market opportunity
So why aren’t more manual workers covered? Affordability is a major barrier. The idea of a lower-cost, accident only policy holds appeal. A fifth (20%) would consider purchasing a more affordable product rather than a comprehensive policy that also covers illness. This reinforces the need for simple, entry-level products that do what they promise, enabling conversations where affordability is a barrier.
Transparency is another issue. 15% say they would be more likely to purchase accident cover if there were clear examples of what is and isn’t covered. This highlights a crucial gap that can be addressed through simplified language and real-world case studies.
What’s more, the expectation for professional guidance exists - just over half (51%) of manual workers expect to be advised about accident only policies.
Bridging the gap
The disconnect between risk, cover and consumer need requires a joined-up response across the industry.
Accident only policies offer a valuable entry point for manual workers who may not be able to afford full Income Protection initially. Tailoring cover to their needs, risks, and financial constraints, without overcomplicating the offering, is vital. What’s more, affordable pricing, simple language and no underwriting can all help to lower the barriers to entry.
Financial literacy remains a challenge, especially among manual workers who may have less engagement with traditional financial advice. The need for clear, jargon-free education and communication is critical.
With over half of manual workers expecting to hear about accident only cover options if they sought advice, this is a clear call to action.
A responsibility and an opportunity
Income protection shouldn’t be a luxury, especially not for those most at risk of losing their income through physical injury.
The findings from our research are a timely reminder that as an industry, we have both a responsibility and an opportunity. By closing the protection gap for manual workers, we’re not just supporting individuals, we’re supporting families, businesses, and the sector’s economic resilience.
