Takes about one minute. Tell us what you need help with, then choose a suitable meeting time.
What contractor problem do you need to solve?
You do not need to know the name of a policy or the right lender before you make contact. Start with the problem you want to fix.
A lender is not recognising what you really earn
Payslip-only or tax-return-only assessments can understate your earning power when you work on a day rate, receive umbrella income, draw a small salary and dividends, retain profit in a limited company or have normal gaps between contracts.
Broadbench can identify lenders that understand contractor income and present your circumstances using the most appropriate evidence. Support is available for first-time purchases, home moves, remortgages, further advances and buy-to-let applications, including cases affected by IR35 or a recent move into contracting.
Your income would fall sharply if you could not work
Contractors often have little or no long-term sick pay. If illness or injury stops you accepting assignments, the bills continue even when the income does not.
Broadbench can help you compare personal income protection and company-funded executive income protection. An adviser can also consider critical-illness cover and private healthcare, so your plan can address both the loss of income and access to diagnosis or treatment.
Your family depends on income and benefits that may stop with you
A permanent employee may receive death-in-service benefits through work. A contractor may need to create that safety net personally or through their limited company. Without the right cover, a mortgage, household costs and future plans could fall on the people you leave behind.
Broadbench can advise on personal life insurance, Relevant Life policies, whole-of-life cover, critical-illness insurance, mortgage-focused protection, buildings and contents insurance, and insurance used as part of inheritance-tax planning. Where appropriate, Broadbench can also introduce specialist support for wills and trusts.
Your business depends on you or another key person
A small company can be financially exposed if an owner, shareholder or essential employee dies, becomes critically ill or cannot work. Loans may still need to be repaid, profits may fall and the remaining owners may need funds to keep control of the company.
Broadbench can advise on key-person insurance, shareholder or partnership protection, business-loan protection, executive income protection, Relevant Life cover, business healthcare and professional indemnity insurance. The aim is to protect cash flow, ownership, liabilities and the people the business relies on.
Broadbench support at a glance
The right solution depends on your circumstances. This overview shows the breadth of support that can be considered during an adviser conversation.
| Need | Problems Broadbench can help address | Products and support that may be considered |
|---|---|---|
| Mortgage and property | A lender does not understand day-rate, umbrella, dividend or retained-profit income. | First-time buyer, home mover, remortgage, further advance, buy-to-let, limited-company director and IR35-aware mortgage advice. |
| Income and health | Illness or injury would stop or reduce earnings, and there is limited workplace support. | Personal income protection, executive income protection, critical-illness cover, private healthcare and business healthcare. |
| Family, home and estate | Dependants, a mortgage or an estate could be financially exposed after death or serious illness. | Life insurance, Relevant Life cover, whole-of-life cover, critical-illness cover, buildings and contents insurance, inheritance-tax-focused protection, and introductions for wills and trusts. |
| Business continuity | The company relies on key people, has borrowing, or could face ownership and liability problems. | Key-person cover, shareholder or partnership protection, business-loan protection, executive income protection, Relevant Life, professional indemnity and business healthcare. |
One conversation can uncover gaps you may not know you have
A Broadbench adviser will look at the whole picture rather than treating each product in isolation. That includes how you are paid, what SourcePay or an assignment already provides, your household and business commitments, your existing policies, and the changes you expect over the next few years.
| The adviser reviews | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Your working arrangement and income | The right lender or policy structure may differ for umbrella, PAYE, limited-company, sole-trader and fixed-term income. |
| Your current safety nets | Existing cover, savings and statutory benefits determine the size and urgency of any protection gap. |
| Who and what relies on you | Dependants, mortgages, business loans, shareholders and key employees create different financial exposures. |
| Your priorities and budget | Advice should focus first on the risks that would cause the greatest damage, at a cost you are comfortable with. |
Want to understand your gaps before the call?
Download The Contractor’s Financial Safety Net: a practical guide to getting mortgage-ready and protecting your income, family and business. It explains the main risks, the policy types that may help and the questions to ask an adviser.
The guide is for general information. You do not need to read it before booking an adviser call.
Your income is explained in context
Broadbench understands day rates, umbrella pay, salary and dividends, retained company profit, contract gaps and changing IR35 status. That context helps the adviser identify lenders and insurers whose criteria fit the way you work.
Your risks are considered together
A mortgage, income protection and business cover should not be arranged as unrelated purchases. The adviser considers how your income, debts, family responsibilities and company structure interact before recommending priorities.
The detail and paperwork are handled with you
Broadbench researches appropriate options, explains the costs and limitations, helps with applications and keeps you informed. You remain in control of whether to proceed.
How it works
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Tell us the problem | Use the embedded form to choose the area you need help with. If you are unsure, select “I’m not sure”. |
| 2. Speak with a specialist | Choose a suitable meeting time. The adviser will ask about your work, goals, existing arrangements and the people or commitments you need to protect. |
| 3. Receive clear options | Broadbench will explain any suitable routes, costs and important limitations. If you decide to proceed, the team will support the application and paperwork. |
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a mortgage if I am paid through an umbrella company?
Potentially, yes. Eligibility depends on your circumstances and the lender’s criteria. Broadbench works with lenders that understand umbrella, day-rate and contract income and can identify an assessment method suited to your position.
Can Broadbench help if I have only recently started contracting?
Potentially, yes. Eligibility depends on your circumstances and the lender’s criteria. Broadbench works with lenders that understand umbrella, day-rate and contract income and can identify an assessment method suited to your position.
What protection should a contractor consider?
There is no universal package. Common areas include income protection, life insurance, critical-illness cover, private healthcare and mortgage protection. Limited-company owners may also need Relevant Life, executive income protection, key-person, shareholder or business-loan protection. The correct priorities depend on your circumstances.
Can my limited company pay for protection?
Some policies, including Relevant Life and executive income protection, may be arranged and funded through a limited company when the conditions are met. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change, so the structure should be agreed with the relevant professional advisers.
I already have cover. Is a review still useful?
Yes. A policy arranged before a change in contract status, income, mortgage, family circumstances, business borrowing or shareholding may no longer match the risk. An adviser can identify overlap, shortfalls and outdated assumptions.
Is the first call free?
The initial conversation is no obligation. If you proceed with a mortgage application, Broadbench currently charges a non-refundable mortgage fee of £500, payable on application. Any product costs, fees or adviser remuneration will be explained before you decide whether to proceed.
Will SourcePay see my financial or medical information?
The privacy notice beside the form explains who receives and uses the information entered there. Detailed financial or medical information should be shared directly with Broadbench during the advice process, not through the initial SourcePay form.
Start with the problem
Broadbench will help you work out the solution
Tell Broadbench what you are trying to achieve or protect. You do not need to know which lender, insurer or policy type is right before the conversation.
No obligation to proceed. Your options and any applicable costs will be explained before you make a decision.
Regulatory information
Broadbench Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, number 590288, in respect of mortgage and insurance mediation activities only. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Broadbench charges a non-refundable mortgage fee of £500, payable on application. Eligibility, terms, exclusions and premiums apply. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change. This page provides general information and is not a personal recommendation.