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What is Disability Insurance?

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

Disability insurance, sometimes called 'Health and Accident Coverage', is a policy designed to pay out a percentage of the holder's current wages if he or she becomes unable to work. The two main reasons for claiming disability insurance benefits are accidents (whether on the job or not) and debilitating illnesses. Workers covered under disability insurance policies must prove that they cannot perform the majority of their present duties to qualify for total disability status.

Insurance experts advise customers to do some comparison shopping before taking out a disability insurance policy. The least expensive policies may also be the most restrictive in terms of eligibility and monthly payouts. Individual insurance companies can set their own terms, so look for specific items like a significant income percentage payout (45% to 60% is typical), a 90 day or less waiting period for benefit eligibility, and fewer restrictions on alternative employment options. Many workers want to feel useful by pursuing occupations not affected by the disability, but some disability insurance policies strongly discourage this practice.

Disability insurance pays the policyholder a percentage of their usual wages should he or she become unable to work, such as following a major accident.
Disability insurance pays the policyholder a percentage of their usual wages should he or she become unable to work, such as following a major accident.

Some professional insurance agents consider the ideal disability policy to be a form called 'own occupation' coverage. Under this type of plan, disabled workers can continue to earn income through other jobs while collecting benefits from the policy. While a policy like 'own occupation' may benefit the policy holder, insurance companies tend to promote other plans first. An alternative disability insurance policy pays a percentage of lost income as long as the insured worker agrees to only consider future employment in his or her current field. Possibly the worst form of disability insurance can require disabled workers to seek out any and all jobs available, including low paying McJobs with no benefits.

The worst form of disability insurance can require disabled workers to seek out any and all jobs available.
The worst form of disability insurance can require disabled workers to seek out any and all jobs available.

Another element of disability insurance involves returning to work following an illness or accident. A business owner might be able to resume most of his duties, but still suffer a loss of income and time. This leads to a claim called 'residual disability'. Residual disability insurance policies should continue to pay a percentage of the insured worker's income until he or she is working at the same level as before the sickness or accident. Some cheaper insurance policies do not offer residual disability coverage or will only pay out for lost time, not income.

Disability insurance may help protect a person from lost wages due to a debilitating illness.
Disability insurance may help protect a person from lost wages due to a debilitating illness.

As with many other insurance plans, having disability insurance coverage usually makes more financial sense than not having it. Many group insurance policies provide for emergency treatments or short-term health care, but few protect workers from the long-term effects of a disability or debilitating illness. Having enough income to pay off a home mortgage and other major credit obligations while recovering from a disabling accident can bring tremendous piece of mind. Finding affordable health care insurance AFTER a major accident or illness can be nearly impossible.

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular WiseGEEK contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular WiseGEEK contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Drentel

@mobilian33 - Often I have listened to people talk about how difficult it is to get disability insurance payments from federal and state agencies. That's why I thought getting any benefits for my mother when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease would be very difficult.

She had worked for the state for about 15 years, but since she was still at lease 5 years from retirement I thought she would be denied disability benefits. I was really surprised when she started receiving benefits a couple of months after she stopped working.

mobilian33

I don't have any personal experience trying to collect on disability insurance, but when my sister tried to collect disability benefits when her symptoms from her diabetes got so bad that she couldn't work she was denied payments because the insurance company said that her condition was not bad enough.

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    • Disability insurance pays the policyholder a percentage of their usual wages should he or she become unable to work, such as following a major accident.
      By: corepics
      Disability insurance pays the policyholder a percentage of their usual wages should he or she become unable to work, such as following a major accident.
    • The worst form of disability insurance can require disabled workers to seek out any and all jobs available.
      By: vicky
      The worst form of disability insurance can require disabled workers to seek out any and all jobs available.
    • Disability insurance may help protect a person from lost wages due to a debilitating illness.
      By: gwimages
      Disability insurance may help protect a person from lost wages due to a debilitating illness.
    • Disability insurance may help pay for a housekeeping aide.
      By: pio3
      Disability insurance may help pay for a housekeeping aide.
    • Disability insurance can help pay for living expenses for someone who is injured on the job.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Disability insurance can help pay for living expenses for someone who is injured on the job.