Disability Insurance
Most Americans insure their car, their home, and their health — but forget to protect their paycheck. If an illness or injury left you unable to work for months or years, how would you pay your bills? Disability insurance replaces a portion of your income so you can focus on recovery, not finances.
Request an insurance quote or contact a licensed advisor.
Available Disability Insurance options
- Short-Term Disability Insurance
Provides benefits for a limited disability period. Waiting periods, benefit amounts, duration, and employer availability vary by policy.
May fit: Bridging the gap before long-term disability benefits begin, short recovery periods, maternity leave
- Long-Term Disability Insurance
Provides benefits for an extended disability period. The elimination period, benefit amount, duration, and definition of disability vary by policy.
May fit: Anyone who couldn't sustain their lifestyle for more than 3–6 months without income
- Own-Occupation Disability Insurance
Pays benefits if you can't perform the duties of your specific occupation — even if you could work in a different job. Strongest protection available.
May fit: Doctors, dentists, lawyers, and other professionals whose ability to practice their specific specialty is their income
- Any-Occupation Disability Insurance
Only pays if you can't work in any occupation for which you're reasonably suited by education or experience. Less protective but lower cost.
May fit: Budget-conscious buyers who want baseline income protection
- Individual Disability Insurance (IDI)
A personal policy you own — not tied to your employer. Stays with you when you change jobs, offers more coverage flexibility, and can supplement employer group disability coverage.
May fit: Self-employed individuals, those with employer coverage gaps, those who want portable coverage
Disability Insurance considerations
- Replace a portion of your income if you can't work
- Cover mortgage, rent, and everyday living expenses
- Protect your retirement savings from early withdrawal
- Available for most occupations including blue-collar jobs
- Own-occupation definitions protect specialists and professionals
- Individual policies are portable — take them with you if you change jobs
- Benefits are typically tax-free if you pay premiums with after-tax dollars
- Rider options: cost-of-living adjustment, future purchase option, and more
Frequently asked questions
How likely am I to become disabled?
Illnesses and injuries can interrupt income unexpectedly. Your own risk depends on your health, occupation, activities, and circumstances; a policy cannot guarantee protection for every cause of disability.
Doesn't Social Security Disability cover me?
SSDI eligibility and benefit amounts depend on work history, disability, and Social Security rules. Private disability insurance may supplement public benefits, but policy eligibility and coverage terms vary.
How much disability insurance do I need?
Consider essential monthly expenses, emergency savings, employer benefits, public benefits, taxes, and the policy's definition of disability. Benefit amounts, limits, and exclusions vary by policy.
Is my employer's disability insurance enough?
Review your employer policy's benefit amount, definition of disability, waiting period, exclusions, taxes, and portability. An individual policy may supplement a gap, but eligibility and terms vary.
What is an elimination period?
The elimination period is the waiting period before benefits begin. Its length and effect on premiums depend on the policy; read the policy terms carefully.
Can self-employed people get disability insurance?
Yes. Individual disability insurance may be an option for self-employed individuals without an employer group plan. Eligibility, policy terms, and pricing depend on the occupation, income, health history, and underwriting.