Story at-a-glance
- Residency is often the best time to buy disability insurance.
- You’re young, usually healthy, and eligible for special discounts.
- You can lock in coverage now and increase it later as your income grows.
- Getting covered early helps you avoid higher prices, exclusions, or denials down the road.
- It’s one of the smartest financial moves you can make during training.
Why It Matters
As a resident, your income is just starting—but your earning potential is huge. You’ve invested years of education and training. But what if a serious illness or injury derailed that?
Disability insurance protects your future income if you lose the ability to work in your specialty. The best time to secure it? During residency.
Here’s why that matters—and how it can save you thousands later.
You're Young and Healthy
Most residents are in their late 20s or early 30s. Age and health are two of the biggest factors that determine your premium and eligibility.
Buying now means:
- Lower premiums locked in for life
- Fewer health exclusions (if any)
- No surprises later if your health changes
Even a minor condition—like back pain or anxiety—can limit your options if you wait too long.
You Get Exclusive Discounts
Most top insurance companies offer resident-specific discounts that you can’t get once you’ve finished training. These savings are often locked in permanently—so your future increases stay discounted too.
Waiting until you’re attending can mean paying 20–30% more for the same coverage.
You Can Grow Your Coverage Later
One of the biggest concerns doctors have is:
“But I don’t make enough yet to need full coverage.”
That’s where Future Increase Options (also called Benefit Purchase Riders) come in. These let you:
- Buy a smaller policy now
- Add more coverage later as your income grows
- Skip future medical exams when increasing coverage
This keeps you protected now and later.
Real Risk, Even Early in Your Career
Disability isn’t just something that happens later in life.
We’ve seen residents and fellows file claims for:
- Injuries
- Cancer
- Mental health issues
- Hand, wrist, or back problems
And if you wait to apply until after a diagnosis, it’s usually too late.
Final Thought
Residency is the perfect time to get disability insurance.
You get the best rates, fewer restrictions, and more options to grow your coverage as your career takes off.
It’s not just about protecting your income now—it’s about protecting everything your future income makes possible.
Ready to get started? Click the button below to request a free quote.
We specialize in helping residents and fellows find discounted, specialty-specific coverage from the top carriers.
Ready to protect your future?
Get a personalized side-by-side policy comparison of the leading disability insurance companies from an independent insurance broker.
