Guardian Disability Insurance
for Physicians and Dentists
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Guardian Disability Insurance
Guardian Life Insurance Company of America is one of the most respected disability insurance carriers in the United States.
Founded in 1860, Guardian is a mutual insurance company owned by its policyholders. That means long-term stability and a focus on paying claims.
At DoctorDisability, we help physicians and dentists decide if Guardian is the right fit—and compare it to other top carriers.
Why Doctors Choose Guardian
Guardian disability insurance is popular with physicians because it offers:
- True own-occupation disability coverage
- Specialty-specific definitions for doctors and dentists
- Strong partial disability benefits
- Guaranteed renewable, non-cancelable policies
- Optional riders to grow with your income
About Guardian Disability Insurance
Guardian and its subsidiaries protect more than six million employees and families across 115,000 companies nationwide.
The company operates one of the largest dental networks in the U.S. and supports policies through:
- Over 5,000 employees
- More than 3,000 financial representatives
- 80+ agencies nationwide
Guardian also offers life insurance, dental insurance, annuities, and retirement plan solutions
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True Own-Occupation
Guardian True Own-Occupation Disability Insurance
Guardian offers a true own-occupation definition of disability, which is critical for physicians and dentists.
If an illness or injury prevents you from performing the material and substantial duties of your own occupation, you could qualify for benefits—even if you can work in another role.
In many cases, Guardian recognizes your medical or dental specialty as your occupation.
Enhanced Definition for Physicians
Enhanced True Own-Occupation for Physicians
Guardian offers a special enhanced definition designed just for doctors.
You may qualify for total disability benefits if:
- More than 50% of your income came from hands-on patient care or surgical procedures
- You can no longer perform those duties due to sickness or injury
This provides more ways for physicians to qualify for benefits than standard definitions
Base Policy Features
Guardian’s base disability policy includes:
- Non-cancelable and guaranteed renewable coverage
- Level premiums that cannot increase
- Benefit periods to age 65, 67, or 70
- Waiver of premium while disabled
- Partial and total disability benefits
Optional Riders
Popular Guardian Disability Insurance Riders for Doctors
Guardian allows physicians and dentists to customize coverage with optional riders, including:
- Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) – Helps benefits keep up with inflation
- Future Increase / Benefit Purchase Rider – Increase coverage without new medical underwriting
- Enhanced Partial Disability Rider – Pays benefits sooner if income drops
- Student Loan Protection Rider– Helps cover student loan payments during disability
- Catastrophic Disability Rider – Extra income for severe disabilities
Mental Health Coverage
Guardian offers long-term coverage for mental health and substance-related disabilities, including anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.
Unlike many carriers, Guardian allows physicians to choose full coverage or limited coverage with a premium discount.
Who is Guardian Best For?
Is Guardian Right for You?
Guardian disability insurance is often a strong fit for:
- Physicians in procedure-based specialties
- Dentists who rely on hands-on work
- High-income doctors seeking strong own-occupation coverage
- Practice owners and specialists
- Residents and Fellows
Guardian is not always the best choice for every situation. Comparisons matter.
Why DoctorDisability?
How DoctorDisability Helps
We:
- Have helped over 25,000 physicians and dentists secure their income with disability insurance
- Compare Guardian with all top carriers
- Design policies around your specialty
- Explain contracts in plain English
- Support you through underwriting and claims
Ready to protect your future?
Get a personalized side-by-side policy comparison of the leading disability insurance companies from an independent insurance broker.
FAQs about Guardian Disability Insurance
Is Guardian disability insurance good for physicians?
Yes. Guardian is known for strong own-occupation definitions and physician-specific policy language.
Does Guardian cover medical specialties?
In many cases, Guardian recognizes your medical or dental specialty as your occupation.
Can I increase my Guardian disability coverage later?
Yes. With the right rider, you may be able to increase benefits without new medical underwriting.
Is Guardian a strong company financially?
Yes. Guardian is a mutual insurer founded in 1860 with a long history of financial stability.
We're committed to doing good.
Doctor Disability partners with Su Refugio, an orphanage in South America, to provide 100 meals to orphaned children for every policy purchased.
Free Guide: The Essential Guide to Disability Insurance for Doctors
Discover the essentials of a great disability insurance policy.
- Most important features of a great policy.
- Common exclusions from coverage
- How much does it cost?
- How much should you buy?
- Pros and cons of group disability
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Ready to protect your future?
Get a personalized side-by-side policy comparison of the leading disability insurance companies from an independent insurance broker.
Content reviewed for accuracy as of February 2026