Individual
Disability Income Insurance
While most Americans insure their lives and material
assets, like their homes, cars, etc., many overlook the need to protect their
most valuable asset – the ability to earn an income.
Insurance claims studies indicate that the odds of
becoming disabled for 90 days or longer are much greater than dying during
one’s working years.
At
age 27 = 2.7 times greater
At
age 42 = 3.5 times greater
At
age 52 = 2.2 times greater
What To Look For In A Disability Insurance
Policy
·
Definition of disability: Are education, experience, and past earnings taken
into account in determining whether the insured is qualified to resume work?
Many policies provide for an initial own occupation definition of disability,
for a specified period of time, after which a different definition of
disability applies.
·
Partial or residual benefits: Partial or residual disability benefits may be paid
in some policies when the impairment allows the insured to perform only a
portion of his or her duties. This provision may also pay benefits in the event
the disability reduces the insured’s income by a certain amount (for example,
20% or more) from pre-disability levels.
·
Cost of living adjustment: Is there a cost of living adjustment (COLA) which
would increase benefit payments after a disability occurs?
·
Cancelability and renewability of policy: Except for nonpayment of
premiums, is the policy noncancelable or renewable? Noncancelable generally
means that the insurance company cannot cancel the policy, change the policy
provisions or increase policy premiums after issue, as long as premiums are
paid on a timely basis. Guaranteed renewable is similar, but allows the
insurance company to increase the premium.
·
Waiting and elimination period: Is the waiting or elimination period proper for the
insured’s circumstances? Commonly available periods include 90, 180 and 360 days. Naturally, the
longer the elimination period one selects, the lower his or her premium
payments will be. However, a person’s needs, cash reserves and income sources
should be the deciding factors in selecting a proper elimination/waiting
period.
·
Benefit period: What benefit period should be selected? Since a long – term medical
disability can be financially devastating, one should elect a long – term
benefit where possible. Some companies offer lifetime benefit periods, but
periods as short as 24 months to 60 months are also available.
______________________
1 1985 Commissioner’s Individual Disability A Table
2 Own occupation generally means the insured’s current occupation. The own occupation definition of disability may not be available for all occupations or professions.
Individual Disability Income
Insurance
(continued)
Caution:
Highly
compensated employees should be aware of payment caps in many group long – term
disability policies. While some programs will provide disability income
payments at 60% or 66% of salary, many have a relatively low dollar limitation,
such as $3,000 per month.
Types of Disability Contracts
Several other specialized disability contracts are
available to the businessperson:
·
Business overhead expense: Covers expenses such as staff salaries, rent,
telephone, utilities, malpractice insurance and other expenses necessary to
keep one’s business open.
·
Key person disability: Reimburses the business for the loss of a key
employee and allows funding of temporary replacement or training of a
successor.
·
Disability buyout: Provides income to fund a buy – sell agreement triggered by the total
disability of a shareholder/business owner. Payouts may come in the form of a
lump sum, monthly installments or a combination of the two.