Long Term Disability Insurance Quotes

How Long Does Long Term Disability Insurance Last

Long term disability coverage lasts as long as you make your premium payments on-time and in-full. Simple as that.

However, itâs important to note that long term disability benefits may not last forever if you do need to receive them.

How long your long term disability benefits will last depends on your policyâs benefit period. The benefit period may be a certain number of months or years, or up to a certain age. Typically, benefit period options for long term disability insurance policies include 2, 5, or 10 years, or until retirement age .

The Healthier You Are The Better

This may be the most obvious factor of all. People in less-than-average health who have chronic conditions and/or use tobacco are more likely to suffer disabilities.

When assessing your health, disability insurance companies may request the following:

• A paramedical exam, similar to a physical checkup, conducted by an independent third party
• Measurement of height, weight, body mass, pulse, and blood pressure
• Collection of blood and urine
• Family medical history
• Whether you drink or use tobacco

However, there are ways for applicants in great health to bypass the medical exam.

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Things To Consider If You Need Long

• Employer Plans Some employers offer Long-Term Disability plans, which are usually better priced than what you will find in the marketplace. Some say that this is the best way to purchase LTDI. Insurers are keen to insure groups of people as it spreads the risk better for the insurer.
• Know these terms:
• Non-cancelable:This generally means that your policy premium will not increase over the policy period and on renewal.
• Guaranteed Renewal: This means that the insurance company cannot stop you from renewing the policy and it will not be cancelled.
• Exclusions:These are conditions that might not be covered by the policy you are seeking. In some cases pre-existing conditions can be excluded.
• Benefit Amount:This is the amount that your policy will pay per month. It is generally not more than 60% of your pre-tax income, but it is not taxable as it is paid with after-tax dollars.
• Benefit Period:Make sure you understand what you are buying. Some policies cover only a few years while others cover you all the way to retirement.
• Elimination Period: The term refers to how long you need to be disabled before your benefit payments begin. Most plans put a short term financial burden on you before they start paying.
• Chosen Occupation: Some policies try to define what your profession is and is not, such that they will not pay if your injury allows you to work in another profession.

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Disability Insurance Through Your Employer

Voluntary benefit offerings are the fastest growing approach to providing short- and long-term disability insurance through the workplace, says Harnett. Employees can purchase short- and/or or long-term disability coverage through voluntary offerings, she explains. The employee pays all of the premium when they enroll in voluntary benefits.

There are two advantages of voluntary coverage:

• If an employee files a claim for disability benefits, they are not taxable since the employee paid the premium.
• If the employee leaves the company, they can take the coverage with them .

Cost Increases With Age

The older you get, the more prone you become to experiencing a disability event. It’s really that simple.

For a $4,300 monthly benefit that lasts five years:

• A 40-year-old will pay $82 a month
• A 45-year-old will pay $104 a month
• A 50-year-old will pay $129 a month
• A 55-year-old will pay $167 a month

The steady climb in premium amounts you see here is a perfect illustration of why the best time to buy long term disability insurance is right now.

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How Long Does Long

Even after coverage is approved, your long-term disability insurance benefits wont kick in until youve satisfied the waiting period requirement. For most policies, this is at least 30 days, though it can easily be 60, 120, 365, or even 720 days.

Once benefits start, they will continue until your predetermined benefits limit is reached. This is the period of time you chose when you purchased the policy, and can last for a specific number of years or through retirement. The longer the benefits period, the more youll pay in premiums for your coverage.

Why Do You Need Long Term Disability Insurance

Medical expenses and job loss are two of the most common reasons individuals file for bankruptcy.3 If you lost your income because you were injured or became too sick to work, would you be able to cover your living expenses, plus additional medical bills? For most people, the answer is no. And since Social Security benefits are typically less than your regular income, its important to have additional protections in place to help ensure your finances can stay on track even if you experience and unexpected illness or injury.

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How We Chose The Best Long

In creating this list, we looked at and compared more than 25 different disability insurers offering long-term coverage. In order to choose the best for each of these long-term coverage categories, we considered a variety of factors including the ease of obtaining a quote and buying a policy, coverage availability, price, financial strength ratings, and policy options.

We also looked at customization options and features available, which allow customers to really create the policy that best suits their and their familys needs.

Our Customers Love Us We Think You Will Too

The entire process was awesome! I didn’t have to talk to 50 different people or have a bunch of paperwork. Just answered the simple questions about what I was looking for. They communicated with me every step of what was next and what to expect. Breeze should be the new standard…. I HIGHLY recommend. A+ across the board!!

â Jonathan E.

Breeze’s platform was extremely clean and user friendly. I loved that it was straightforward without a million questions and I was approved rather quickly! I have been needing this coverage and feel so much more at ease knowing I now have it. I will definitely be referring friends and family. Thank you, Breeze!

â Vanessa A.

Very easy application process. I filled out the application online and then waited to hear back about my approval. Everyone that contacted me about my status was very helpful and kept me informed about my application every step of the way. Whenever I had a question, they were very quick to respond. Very relieved that now I have disability insurance should I ever need it. Thank you

â Jessica O.

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How Riders Affect Disability Insurance Costs

The factors listed above are the most important details in setting your long-term disability policys base price . If you add extra features to your policy called disability riders this can also increase the total costs you pay for coverage.

The cost of riders can vary based on your policy and insurer. Some riders are free and come standard with your policy, like a waiver of premium rider, which covers your premiums while youre unable to work and receiving benefits. But other riders, like a cost-of-living adjustment rider, may be too expensive to be worth it for most people.

Commonly Asked Questions About Long Term Disability

In general, its best to have enough disability coverage to replace 60% of your after-tax income. However, this number can vary on a number of factors, such as recurrent debt payments and monthly living expenses.

Use our Disability Insurance Coverage Calculator to find out how much coverage is right for you.

The length of time you can receive benefits depends on your policys Maximum Benefit Period, which is determined by your employer. Once the elimination period is satisfied and you continue to meet the definition of disability, your Long Term Disability Insurance benefits can extend through the Maximum Benefit Period.

The disability benefit may be reduced if you are receiving income from other insurance policies, retirement or government programs.

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How To Apply For Long Term Disability Insurance

All long term disability insurance plans are backed by an insurance company in some way or another. However, there are various ways you can go about doing so.

For example, one common way is to sign up for group coverage. This is most commonly done through an employer. You may also find group coverage through:

• Industry associations
• Membership organizations

Many employers offer group disability insurance coverage to their employees as a workplace benefit. In fact, employers often pay some or even all of the premium cost.

Another option is to buy your own personal policy. You can do this through an insurance agent or directly from a reputable insurance company that offers individual long term coverage.

Best For Risky Occupations: Assurity

Assurity

Whether you’re a mechanic, welder, state patrol officer, or work in any number of other high-risk occupations, Assurity is likely to have disability coverage for you, making them our top pick for risky occupations. Policies come with multiple built-in benefits as well as additional riders to choose from.

• Coverage is available to many high-risk professions

• Conditionally renewable to age 75 if employed full-time

• Built-in benefits include waiver of premium, presumptive disability benefit, and more

• Benefit periods range from one year to retirement age

• Elimination period from 30 to 365 days

• Noncancellable rider only lasts the length of the policy and is not applicable for some higher risk occupations

• Cannot buy coverage online

• Online quotes dont allow for much personalization

Assurity holds an A- rating from AM Best and has roots dating back to 1890. They offer policies with full or partial coverage depending on whether youre able to work at all.

If you work in a higher-risk profession, such as an electrician, welder, state patrol officer, or mechanic, you may find that buying disability income insurance coverage is tricky and often expensive. Many companies will refuse to insure these occupations altogether.

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Disability Insurance Instant Quote

Your disability insurance policy covers expenses that arise from your disability treatments, the cost of rehabilitation and training, and other expenditures such as workplace or living room modification or your vehicle settlements to sustain your life with a disability.

Loss of income due to your disability can be recovered under partial disability coverage even after you are recovered from your disability the insurance coverages provide such benefits to disabled people to ensure the gap of loss happened or already occurred financial damages in their life span.

Any person who is disabled and failed to attain the school or primary educational programs his life can get this specific educational coverage under the set training modules or programs offered by the company under their insurance policy.

You can protect your monthly expenses of everyday life via income assistance such as mortgage rent, car, or home loans and make your future financial plans safe and secure.

Best For No Medical Exam: Principal Financial Group

Principal Financial Group

Principal Financial Group offers a few different disability insurance products, including the Simplified DI program. This allows consumers to get up to $6,000 a month in long-term coverage faster and with fewer requirements, like no medical exam, earning them our top spot in the no medical exam category.

• Streamlined process is quick and easy

• Combine different periods of disability to help reach the policys elimination period

• Benefits of up to $6,000 per month are available with simplified underwriting

• Employment requirement is only 20 hours per week

• Online applications are not available

• Final answer can take a few days to receive

With a history dating back to 1879, Principal Financial Group has a long and successful track record of offering quality insurance coverage. They hold an A+ financial strength rating from AM Best and offer a variety of disability insurance products to suit consumers needs.

Principal offers individual disability income insurance policies with up to about $20,000 in monthly benefits, though this maxes out at $6,000 if you want simplified underwriting and no medical exam. Elimination periods range from 8 to 90 days, with benefits lasting two or five years, or through retirement .

Unlike many other companies that require 30 hours of weekly work to be considered, Principal only requires you to work a minimum of 20 hours a week in order to qualify for a policy.

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Best For Customization: Guardian Life

Guardian

With four policy types offered and a slew of riders and coverage options, Guardian Life is our preferred choice for customization of your disability insurance. Options include group policies and supplemental insurance coverage. To help you further customize your policy, you can choose between riders like a future benefits increase, guaranteed renewability, and student loan protection, allowing you to completely customize a policy according to your needs.

• Variety of riders and policy options to choose from

• Quotes are available online for some applicants

• Discounts available for preferred occupations such as a 10% discount for physicians

• Many applicants will need to speak with a representative to get a quote or purchase coverage.

• Policies are not geared toward group plans and professional workers.

• Medical exam likely required

Founded in 1860 and backed by Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America, Guardian Life offers a number of disability insurance options including long-term coverage. The company holds an A++ rating from AM Best.

Long-term policies can replace up to 60% of your income, with benefits lasting five years, 10 years, 20 years, or until you reach retirement. Some policies will allow you to renew your coverage beyond age 65 if you are still employed and not disabled. Every policy is different, but a typical elimination period is usually three months long.

The Basics About Disability Benefits

The SSDI program pays benefits to you and certain if you are insured. This means that you worked long enough and recently enough and paid Social Security taxes on your earnings. The SSI program pays benefits to adults and children who meet our requirements for a qualifying disability and have limited income and resources.

While these two programs are different, the medical requirements are the same. If you meet the nonmedical requirements, monthly benefits are paid if you have a medical condition expected to last at least one year or result in death.

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Pros And Cons Of Long

The pros of buying long-term disability coverage generally outweigh the cons, especially if you’re able to find an affordable policy.

Pros:

• You can customize your policy for more coverage with disability riders.

Cons:

• Coverage costs more the older you get or the more dangerous your occupation is.

• Policies can come with exclusions that don’t cover pre-existing conditions.

• If you never experience a disability, youre paying for coverage you dont need.

You can lock in a good rate by getting a policy while you’re young. Without any disability coverage, you’ll need to dip into your savings or rely on other people for assistance.

What Is Long Term Disability Insurance

Long term disability insurance is defined as a policy that pays you, the policyholder, direct monthly benefits to replace a portion of your earnings if you become disabled and cannot work in your occupation.

This form of disability insurance is designed to cover serious injuries and illnesses that keep you out of work for three months or longer, as well as permanent disabilities that leave you unable to return to work.

Long term disability coverage is a smart investment for healthy, employed individuals who want to secure their financial future. You can get covered by yourself, as a part of a group, or both.

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What Is Disability Insurance

If you become sick or injured and cannot work, disability insurance replaces about 60% of your gross income which generally amounts to your actual take-home pay. Since health insurance only covers your medical procedures and recovery, a disability policy is a necessary supplement to pay for your everyday bills and expenses.

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What Happens When Im Ready To Return To Work

To give you the best chance of resuming employment, a claims manager, nurse case manager and vocational rehabilitation specialist will be assigned to your case when you make a claim. Together, this team of specialists will help to support you as you recover and help assess when and if you can return to work. If you can return to work, but will need to change job roles to accommodate physical limitations, this team will also help you retrain for a new job and make a successful return to work.

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Portable Disability Income Insurance

Another issue with work-based long term disability insurance is that it usually isnt portable. If you leave your job, you can lose your coverage.This can be a bigger deal than workers realize.

Underwriting Considerations. You might think that if you lose your insurance policy you can just buy a new insurance policy at that point, so theres no reason to worry about it ahead of time. Not so fast. This might be true when it comes to health insurance under the ACA, health insurers cannot deny coverage or charge higher rates due to pre-existing conditions but disability insurance is different. A disability insurance company absolutely can decide to deny coverage or charge higher rates based on the workers age or health conditions.

Lets say a worker is 30 years old and in great health. He gets long term disability insurance through his job, and he doesnt buy additional coverage. He works at the same company for 20 years. During that time, hes diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. Then when hes 50, he decides to take a new position at a different company. He loses his disability insurance, and his new job doesnt offer the benefit. He tries to buy individual disability insurance coverage on his own, but because of his health conditions, most insurers reject his application, and the ones that offer coverage want to charge higher rates than he can afford.