Story at-a-glance Only 5% of disabilities are work-related, meaning worker’s comp won’t apply to most illnesses or injuries.Worker’s comp payouts are tiny – In California, the max benefit is ~$63K/year, while doctors earn $200K–$300K+.Disabilities are more likely to come from illness than

Story at-a-glance Federal disability benefits are minimal – The average payout is only $1,358/month, not even 10% of a doctor’s typical income.Approval is slow and difficult – Fewer than 1 in 3 are approved on first try, and appeals can take 2+ years.Doctors have higher-than-average risk –

Story at-a-glance Pregnancy isn’t a “preexisting condition” – A woman suffered a stroke after childbirth and was initially denied disability insurance benefits.Insurer said her stroke was caused by pregnancy – The company argued preeclampsia was a result of a preexisting pregnancy.Court ruled

Story at-a-glance Government benefits won't cut it – SSDI is hard to qualify for and only pays a fraction of your physician-level income.Employer plans aren't portable – If you leave your job or your health changes, you may lose access to coverage.Medical insurance doesn’t cover long-term care

Story at-a-glance Pregnancy is the top cause of short-term disability claims, especially among millennial women—accounting for 64% of claims.Short-term disability typically replaces 60% of your salary for 6–8 weeks postpartum; some pregnancy-related complications may qualify for long-term

Story at-a-glance Physicians are high-risk, high-investment professionals, making disability insurance essential to protect income and career ROI."Own Occupation" policies offer the strongest protection, especially for specialists who can’t easily switch to lower-paying roles.Benefit periods

Story at-a-glance 1 in 4 workers will become disabled before retirement age, yet most think the risk is under 2%.Disability is more common than death before 50 and causes more financial devastation—yet most aren’t insured.The average disability lasts 2.6 years, but over half of Americans don’t

Story at-a-glance Riders can dramatically strengthen your disability policy, especially for physicians with evolving income and responsibilities.The Residual Disability Rider ensures you’re covered for partial disability and during your recovery—essential for medical professionals easing back