Home insurance protects where you live. Auto insurance protects what you drive. Health insurance protects your health. Disability insurance protects you financially if you’re unable to work.
A portion of your paycheck is provided to you so you can pay your bills despite unexpected illness and injury that keeps you from working.
Disability insurance provides financial security for you and your loved ones who may be dependent on your ability to earn a salary. The disability insurance benefits you receive are at your disposal to be used however you want, from monthly bills and medical expenses to childcare and groceries.
How does disability insurance work?
Disability insurance is a contract between the insurance company and the policyholder. In exchange for your monthly payment, the insurance company agrees to pay you a monthly benefit if you suffer a disability that affects your ability to work. A Disability insurance contract is designed to replace a percentage of the income you lose due to your inability to earn a paycheck.
Some employers offer short-term and long-term disability benefits to their employees. Short-term insurance comes in handy immediately after an accident, while long-term insurance provides financial protection against disability that can last for years.
A disability insurance policy will state:
- Amount to be paid in premiums: Like any other type of insurance, this is the payment you have to pay monthly to maintain your coverage.
- How the policy defines disability: Some policies will pay you monthly benefits if your injury prevents you from working normally, or if your income is reduced but you are able to do other types of work. Some other policies won’t pay even if your income is low and you can do another job.
- How much you will receive in benefit: In most cases, the benefit amount will be a percentage of your income. Policies usually pay 60-80% of the income earned before you became disabled.
- How long your benefits will last: The benefit period can be for a certain number of months or years, or up to a certain age.
Who is disability insurance for?
If paying your expenses depends on the income you earn from your job, you should consider disability insurance. It ensures you can continue to receive a partial income even if you are unable to work due to illness or injury.