Story at-a-glance
- If you couldn’t work, could you still pay your bills? Most can’t—especially without disability income protection.
- Employer or government plans usually fall short, leaving a gap that puts families at risk.
- Individual disability insurance replaces part of your income, helping you stay financially stable during recovery.
- Physicians and dentists are especially vulnerable, as their income depends on their ability to do specialized work.
- This site helps you understand your risk, compare coverage, and choose the right policy.
Could you continue to support your family and pay your bills if you were unable to work for any length of time because of illness or injury? If you were to become disabled, do you know how much money would be coming in each month and from what sources?
Some people hope that group disability coverage provided by their employers, government disability income programs or worker’s compensation will cover them. But, for many physicians and dentists, a disability that stops their paycheck would leave them – and their families – in financial hardship. Individual disability income insurance is designed to replace a significant portion of income lost when illness or injury prevents the policyholder from earning a living. It is designed to help pay ongoing bills while the policyholder is recuperating and unable to do his or her job.
This website explains the likelihood of disability, the financial risk it poses, potential sources of disability income, disability income insurance, and what disability income insurance covers. It includes a checklist of policy features you can use to compare disability income insurance policies. This information will help you make an informed decision about whether you need individual disability income insurance and, if so, what features are most important to you.
Get information about specific Disability Insurance Companies
FAQs
What happens if I can’t work due to illness or injury?
Without income, most people struggle to cover basic living expenses. Disability insurance helps by replacing a portion of your income during that time.
Will group disability or government benefits be enough?
Not for most high-income earners like physicians or dentists. Group plans often have low caps, and government programs like SSDI are slow to pay and hard to qualify for.
What is individual disability income insurance?
It’s a personal policy that pays you monthly if an injury or illness keeps you from doing your job. It helps cover bills while you recover.
Why is this important for doctors and dentists?
Because their work depends on specific physical and mental skills. If they can’t practice—even temporarily—their income stops, but their expenses don’t.
What should I look for in a policy?
Start with:
- Own-occupation coverage
- Guaranteed renewable and non-cancelable terms
- Partial disability benefits
- Inflation protection (COLA)
- Future increase options
Where can I compare disability insurance policies?
You can use the checklist on this site and get side-by-side comparisons from trusted disability insurance companies through a broker or specialist.
Ready to protect your future?
Get a personalized side-by-side policy comparison of the leading disability insurance companies from an independent insurance broker.
