No one wants to think about the possibility that an injury or a job loss could leave them unable to work. It’s a constant threat that’s often easier ignored if it can be glossed over with optimism. But the truth is, even those who don’t think about the risks often end up facing them. More than half of working-age adults will experience at least one long-term disability in their lifetime according to the Social Security Administration. The good news is that you can reduce your chances of becoming disabled and protect your income when that happens. That’s why it’s so important for everybody to understand what type of disability insurance they need and how to get it.
What is Disability Insurance?
Disability insurance helps pay your income when you’re unable to work for a period of time due to a disability. You’re probably expecting to read that disability insurance is like health insurance and you’re right. But it’s much broader than health insurance in that it also pays for both long-term and short-term disability. All too often people think of disability insurance as a health insurance option, but it’s much more than that. The benefits offered by disability insurance vary by company, but they can be generally grouped into two categories: short-term and long-term. Short-term disability pays a percentage of your salary for a specific period of time, usually between two and twelve months, when you’re unable to work because you’ve been diagnosed with a specific medical condition. For example, if you’re diagnosed with cancer, you may be covered for a period of time when you’re unable to work due to your diagnosis and treatment. Long-term disability pays a percentage of your income for a period of time when you can’t work as much as you’d like, but you can still make a living. If you’re disabled because you’ve undergone an injury that’s left you unable to work, long-term disability provides you with income until you’re back on your feet.
Types of Disability Insurance
There are two types of disability insurance: short-term and long-term. Let’s look at the differences between these two types and what both types have to offer. Short-term disability coverage pays you a percentage of your salary when you’re out for an anticipated period of time, usually between two and twelve months. A common reason for needing short-term disability is being out of work for a period of time due to injury. Some examples of injuries that may result in short-term disability are car accidents, work-related injuries such as a sprained ankle or a broken arm, and accidents at home such as falling down the stairs. Long-term disability coverage pays you a percentage of your income when you can’t work as much as you’d like, but you can still make a living. Long-term disability is often purchased as an addition to short-term disability because it often provides protection after a shorter period of time.
Why Is Disability Insurance Important?
Disability insurance is important because it gives you peace of mind. It gives you a financial backup in case you are disabled and can’t work. It helps you pay your bills while you’re out of work and gives you time to heal and make it easier to get back to work when you are able to return to work. It can be emotionally reassuring to know that you’ll be able to stay in your house and car, make your mortgage payment, and still eat dinner with your family if you’re disabled. Disability insurance can be a lifesaver. Disability insurance can also be helpful if you’re facing a job loss due to economic conditions or a sudden increase in productivity. You may be able to file for disability insurance or continue to work through the issue without losing your job.
How to Buy Disability Insurance
It may seem like a daunting process, but there are actually a few different ways to get disability insurance. You can shop around to find the lowest rates and terms by comparing prices and terms with different companies. You can also consider purchasing it as part of your employee benefits package. Many large companies offer this option, and you may be able to add it to your retirement plan or health insurance plan as well.
Tips for Getting Disability Insurance
– Make sure you have the right kind of disability insurance. It’s important to choose the right type of disability coverage. You want to make sure you have short-term coverage if you’ve been injured and can’t work and long-term coverage if you’ve been injured and can’t work because of a medical condition. – Shop around and compare prices. You want to make sure you get the best deal when it comes to finding the right type of disability coverage at the best price. This is important because it will help you protect yourself financially in case you need to be out of work for an extended period of time. – When buying, make sure the insurance company is licensed and reputable. This is important because you want to make sure the company is licensed to do business in your state. This will help you protect yourself in the event the company goes out of business or is found to be unethical. – Don’t wait to get disability insurance. A lot of people wait to get disability insurance because they think they might need it and they don’t want to pay for it. This is a mistake. You need to have short-term disability insurance and long-term disability insurance in place before you need it.
Conclusion
There’s always a risk that you won’t be able to work in the future, so it’s important to protect yourself financially by purchasing disability insurance. It’s an easy way to ensure you’re taken care of if you’re unable to work because of an injury or a job loss. And luckily, there are a number of different ways to get disability insurance, so it should be easy for you to find the best option for you. Disability insurance is important for protecting your financial security and your health in the event of an unforeseen disability. It can be a lifesaver in case you’re out of work for an extended period of time and makes it easier to get back to work when you are able to return to work.
