Understanding the Need for Disability Insurance
An adage in the insurance business regarding the subject of disability insurance goes like this:
“The odds are good that you will be laid up long before you are laid out!”
While this statement may seem somewhat amusing, it is also very accurate. Individuals (especially males) between the ages of 30 and 50 will likely suffer an incapacitating injury or illness before they die. However, it is easier for many people to imagine dying than becoming disabled.
Disability has sometimes been called “living death,” and the implications of being disabled are frightening. Disability has more significant economic, relational, and social consequences than death. Why? Because the disabled person continues to require assets (food, medication, support services) while no longer contributing to the family’s income. Not only are they not contributing, but the individual is also usually consuming a disproportionate amount of the assets the family needs to live on!
For still unexplained reasons, disability income protection plans have always seemed to lag behind other forms of protection, even though a long-term disability, which can be catastrophic, happens more frequently than most people think.
Disability income provides essential protection against the loss of income due to an accident or illness.
There are two types of coverage: short-term and long-term protection. Short-term coverage generally provides income replacement for three to six months. Long-term coverage starts after a short waiting period and, depending on the specific policy, usually lasts two years, five years, or up to age 65.
The definition of disability is critical. The more liberal definition, which costs more, defines disability as being unable to do a specific job. This is called an “Own Occupation” definition. For instance, if a surgeon has an accident and loses the use of one of his hands and can no longer perform operations, he can still receive benefits even if he is working and getting paid to teach surgical techniques.
Under the more restrictive “Any Occupation” definition, if that same surgeon accepts a position as a teacher, he would forfeit the benefits. However, note that an “Any Occupation” definition may be just fine for most occupations. A financial professional can help you decide which one is right for you.
A Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) rider is significant since it adjusts the benefit annually according to the changes in the cost of living index. While not critical for a short-duration disability, it is essential over a ten- or twenty-year time frame,
The waiting or elimination period mentioned earlier is also flexible: 30-60-90-120-180 days. Obviously, the longer the waiting period, the lower the cost.
A good policy must be “Non-Cancelable” and “Guaranteed Renewable,” which protects the insured from a company not renewing the policy and raising the premiums.
You can obtain a disability insurance policy through an employer group plan or as an individual. The group plans are less expensive but have far more restrictions and caps than an individual ones. Many people do not realize that most benefits received under a group plan are taxable!
Because of coverage limits, highly compensated employees can seldom obtain the level of protection they need under a group plan. The best way to make up the difference is to purchase a wrap-around individual plan.
Without disability insurance protection, you can lose everything you own very quickly due to an accident or illness. Don’t gamble with your future.
