Protect the paycheck your family counts on.

Disability insurance pays you a percentage of your income if a covered illness or injury prevents you from working. It acts like income protection: if you're injured or become seriously ill and can't do your job, disability benefits help cover everyday living expenses such as rent or mortgage, groceries, utilities and medical bills. There are two main types — short-term disability, which typically begins soon after a qualifying disability and lasts weeks to months, and long-term disability, which can replace income for years or until retirement age depending on the policy.

Coverage is designed to replace part of your income when a qualifying illness or injury keeps you from working. In general it may apply to disabilities caused by accidents and injuries (for example, serious injuries or recovery from an accident), serious illnesses such as cancer, heart disease or stroke, and chronic medical conditions that limit your ability to work over time. Exact terms and definitions vary by policy, which is one reason comparing carriers matters.

Most policies replace about 50–70% of your gross income. The exact amount depends on your income, your expenses, any employer benefits you already have, and whether the coverage is taxable. A licensed agent can help you calculate the right benefit amount so you're neither underinsured nor paying for more than you need.

Often, no. Employer or group disability plans may replace only part of your income — frequently in the range of 40–60% — and usually don't follow you if you leave the job. An individual policy can provide stronger, portable protection that's yours to keep. A simple check: subtract what your employer would pay from your monthly expenses, and that gap is roughly what private coverage may need to fill.

It comes down to how the policy defines being disabled. An own-occupation policy pays benefits if you can't perform the duties of your specific job, even if you could work in some other role — generally the stronger definition. An any-occupation policy pays only if you can't work in any job you're reasonably suited for, a higher bar that often comes with a lower premium. Which one fits depends on your occupation and income, and your agent can compare both.

Short-term disability (STD) covers temporary situations — benefits usually begin relatively quickly and last several weeks to a few months. Long-term disability (LTD) is designed for more serious or extended conditions and can provide income for years, often until retirement age. Long-term disability is widely considered the foundation of income-protection planning, and many people need it for meaningful protection.

Disability insurance is typically affordable relative to the protection it provides — many people pay just a few percent of their income. Your premium is based on several factors: your age, health, occupation and income, plus the benefit amount, the elimination period (the waiting time before benefits begin) and how long benefits last. Choosing a longer waiting period generally lowers the premium. Comparing carriers is the best way to find the right value.

However you need to. There are no restrictions on how disability benefits are used — you can put them toward your mortgage or rent, groceries, childcare, medical costs or anything else that keeps your household running while you're unable to work.