Disability Insurance

Protect Your Income When You Cannot Work

Disability insurance can help replace part of your income if an illness or injury prevents you from working.

What Is Disability Insurance?

Disability insurance is designed to provide income protection when a covered illness or injury keeps you from working.

Depending on the policy, benefits may replace a portion of your regular income for a limited period or for several years.

Coverage can vary based on the definition of disability, waiting period, benefit period and the amount of income insured.

Why Consider Disability Insurance?

Income Protection

Benefits can help replace part of your earnings while you are unable to work.

Financial Stability

Coverage can help with everyday expenses such as housing, food, utilities and debt payments.

Flexible Protection

Policies can differ in benefit amounts, waiting periods and coverage periods.

Explore Disability Insurance Types

Short-Term Disability

Provides benefits for a limited period following a covered illness or injury.

Long-Term Disability

Provides income protection for longer periods when a disability continues.

Own-Occupation

May pay benefits when you cannot perform the duties of your specific occupation.

Any-Occupation

Generally requires you to be unable to work in a broader range of suitable occupations.

Individual Disability

Personally owned coverage that can remain separate from employer benefits.

Group Disability

Coverage offered through an employer or organization under a group plan.

Compare Common Disability Insurance Types

FeatureShort-TermLong-TermOwn-Occupation
Benefit PeriodShorterLongerDepends on policy
Waiting PeriodUsually shorterUsually longerVaries
Income ReplacementPartialPartialPartial
Common UseTemporary disabilityExtended disabilityOccupation-specific protection
Employer CoverageOften availableOften availableMore common individual

Disability Insurance Costs

Disability insurance premiums can vary based on your income, occupation, age, health and the amount of coverage selected.

Common costs may include:

  • Age
  • Occupation
  • Income
  • Health
  • Benefit amount
  • Waiting period
  • Benefit period
  • Policy features

Sample Health Plan Comparison

Data updated: 2026

AgeMonthly IncomeBenefit AmountShort-TermLong-Term
30$4,000$2,500$—$—
30$6,000$4,000$—$—
40$4,000$2,500$—$—
40$6,000$4,000$—$—
50$4,000$2,500$—$—
50$6,000$4,000$—$—

Disclaimer: Rates shown are sample premiums for general comparison only. Actual costs vary by age, occupation, income, health, benefit amount, waiting period, policy terms and insurer

What Can Affect Disability Insurance Costs?

Occupation

Jobs with greater physical or injury risk can cost more to insure.

age

Premiums generally increase as the applicant gets older.

Health

Medical history and current health can affect eligibility and pricing.

Benefit Amount

Higher monthly benefits generally result in higher premiums.

Waiting Period

A shorter waiting period usually increases the policy cost.

Benefit Period

Longer benefit periods generally cost more.

Who May Consider Disability Insurance?

Disability insurance may be worth considering if your income is important to supporting your household and financial obligations.

Common Reasons

  • Replacing lost income
  • Protecting mortgage payments
  • Supporting family expenses
  • Covering everyday living costs
  • Supplementing employer coverage
  • Protecting self-employed income
  • Maintaining financial stability

Benefits and Things to Consider

Benefits

  • Helps replace lost income
  • Individual and group options
  • Short- and long-term coverage
  • Can support major household expenses
  • Useful for employed and self-employed workers

Things to Consider

  • Policies can have waiting periods
  • Benefits replace only part of income
  • Definitions of disability vary
  • Some conditions may be excluded
  • Employer coverage may not be portable

Disability Insurance vs. Other Protection

Disability Insurance

Provides income replacement when a covered disability prevents you from working.

Health Insurance

Helps cover medical treatment and healthcare costs rather than replacing income.

Critical Illness

May provide a lump-sum payment after diagnosis of certain covered illnesses.

Common Disability Insurance Questions

Related Health & Protection Options

Health Insurance

Explore coverage for medical care and healthcare expenses.

Medicare

Learn about federal health coverage for eligible individuals.

Long-Term Care

Learn about coverage for extended care services at home or in a facility.

Critical Illness

Explore lump-sum protection for certain serious medical diagnoses.

Ready to Explore Disability Insurance?

Compare disability coverage types, benefit periods and costs to find options that may fit your income protection needs.