Replace part of your paycheck if you can’t work.

Short-term disability

• How it works: pays a portion of your income for a limited time, often weeks to several months, after a short waiting period.
• Who it tends to fit: people without paid sick leave, and anyone who couldn’t cover a few months of bills without a paycheck.
• Question to ask: how long the waiting period is, and whether pregnancy and recovery from childbirth are covered.

Long-term disability

• How it works: begins after a longer waiting period, often once short-term benefits end, and can pay for years depending on the policy.
• Who it tends to fit: anyone whose household depends on their income over the long run, especially the self-employed.
• Question to ask: how the policy defines disability. Some pay if you can’t do your own job; others only if you can’t do any job.

What we compare

• The share of your income the policy replaces
• The waiting period before benefits start
• How long benefits can last
• The definition of disability and any exclusions
• Whether benefits would be taxable, based on who pays the premium (ask your tax advisor)

How it fits with your other coverage

Disability insurance doesn’t pay medical bills; your health plan does that. If you have some disability coverage through work, we’ll check how much it replaces and whether a personal policy should fill the gap.