Your Top 5 Disability Plans
All plans protect your income if you get sick or hurt. Here are the best choices for your specialty.
Prepared for:
- Dr. Micah Munck
- Emergency Medicine
- Quick Compare
MutualMutual
StockStockMutual- All Plans Include
True Own Occupation
True Own Occupation – You will be totally disabled if, solely due to injury or sickness, you are unable to perform the material and substantial duties of your occupation. As long as you are totally disabled, benefits will not be reduced even if you are working in another occupation.
Guardian Enhanced True Own Occupation: You will also be considered totally disabled if you are an MD or DO and more than 50% of your income is from: Performing surgical procedures and, solely because of injury or illness, you can no longer perform surgical procedures - or- Performing Hands-on patient care and, solely because of injury or illness, you can no longer perform hands-on patient care. Your occupation means the occupation(s) you are actively engaged and regularly performing when your disability begins.
Guaranteed Renewable / Non-Cancelable
A policy provision that locks in your premiums, terms, and coverage for the life of the policy. As long as you pay your premiums on time, the insurance company cannot raise your rates, alter your policy's definitions or conditions, or cancel your coverage, regardless of changes to your health or claims activity in your occupation.
90-day wait
The length of time that must elapse from the date of disability until benefits are paid. Options are 60, 90, 180 and 360 days. The most common is 90 days.
Max benefit period to age 65
The maximum length of time benefits will be paid. Typical options are 2 years, 5 years, to age 65, to age 70 and to age 65 with lifetime extension. Longer benefit = higher premium.
Partial disability benefit
The partial benefit pays a partial monthly benefit in the event of a partial disability. Typically, the percentage of monthly benefit paid is equal to the percentage of lost income.
24 mth benefit period for mental/substance abuse
Many policies will have a shorter benefit period (typically two years) for disabilities caused by substance abuse or a mental health disorder such as stress, anxiety, chronic fatigue, or depression. Some companies offer a choice of 24 months or to age 65.
You can increase later with no medical exam
Opportunity to increase protection as income grows — with no additional medical tests.
Cost of living protection
An optional rider that increases the monthly benefit during a claim to keep pace with inflation. Depending on the policy, the increase either is a fixed amount or variable (based on the consumer price index).
- Optional Riders
Catastrophic Benefit
Pays an additional monthly benefit on top of the regular monthly benefit if a disability is classified as catastrophic (total and irrecoverable loss of sight or hearing or speech or two limbs or severe cognitive impairment)
Student Loan Rider
Provides an additional benefit to repay a student loan during a period of total disability.
My Recommendation: Choose Guardian.
Here’s why:
- Best specialty protection
- Strongest contract
- Mutual company
- Top financial strength
- Most doctors pick this one
If you want the plan that gives you the most protection, Guardian is the clear winner.
$152.19 month
forBenefit$5,000
Why this plan works well:
Strongest specialty protection- Enhanced True Own-Occupation
- Top financial strength
- Great for high-risk hands-on work
- Available GSI
$173.06 month
forBenefit$5,000
Why it's good:
- True Own-Occupation
- Mutual Company
- Very strong financials
- Eligible for dividends
$158.56 month
forBenefit$5,000
Why it's good:
- Flexible for part-time workers
Most disability insurance companies require you to work at least 30 hours per week to qualify for coverage.
Principal can sometimes approve applicants working as little as 20 hours per week, making it a good option for physicians who are working part-time or reducing their schedule. - True Own-Occupation
- Strong company, tight pricing
$183.93 month
forBenefit$5,000
Why it's good:
- True Own-Occupation
- Sometimes easier underwriting
$165.44 month
forBenefit$5,000/mth
Why it's good:
- True Own-Occupation
- Mutual Company
- Budget friendly for some occupations
✅ If You Want the Easy Button Pick Guardian
It gives you the most peace of mind and the strongest safety net.
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