The Importance of Supplemental Disability Insurance

Did you know that according to the Social Security Administration, 1 in 4 of today’s 20-year-old Americans will become disabled before age 67?¹ HealthMarkets can help you find a health plan should a serious condition leave you unable to work.

What Is Supplemental Disability Insurance?

Supplemental disability insurance is an individual insurance policy that can help to protect your income in the event that you become sick or have an accident that results in disability, prohibiting you from working. The insurance benefits are designed to replace a portion of your salary for a set period, provided you experience a qualifying illness or injury, such as broken limbs or a sudden disease.

Supplementary disability insurance has many features. The application process is simple and can be completed quickly. Best of all, you own the policy, meaning it belongs to you—even if you change jobs.

Should You Get Supplemental Disability Insurance?

You should get supplementary disability insurance if you’re concerned about an accident or illness keeping you from working for an extended period of time. Disability insurance can help you replace some of the income lost due to a disabling accident or illness, helping you to maintain your standard of living.

How Disability Insurance Works

A disability insurance claim can be filed if a policy holder becomes disabled and cannot work as the result of a qualifying accident, like an automobile incident, or an unexpected illness, such as an aneurysm, a disability cash payment is paid directly to the policy holder.

A person must be declared disabled by a claim administrator to receive a cash payment for temporary disability. The definition of “disabled” varies by policy. This can mean that you’re unable to work ANY job for which you’re qualified, or you can only work part time.

If you’re looking to buy supplementary disability insurance, many insurance companies require that you must be actively employed and working on a permanent basis for a specific number of hours per week for wages or salary and performing duties that you’re qualified for.

Need to find a specific disability insurance price? Get a quote for a plan and compare your coverage options with HealthMarkets, at no cost to you, today.

What Does Supplemental Disability Insurance Cover?

Supplemental disability insurance can be used to cover any bill or expense you have via cash benefits, which are paid directly to you. They do not have to be reserved for your medical expenses. For example, you could use them to pay for:

• Groceries
• Rent or mortgage
• Car payments
• Child care expenses
• Utilities

 

And, of course, they can be used to pay your copays and coinsurance, as well as any other unpaid care, living, or medical expenses.

Exclusion of Benefits

There are some circumstances for which your individual supplemental disability insurance will not pay. For example, benefits will not be provided if a loss occurs due to any of the following reasons:

• An act of war including any active military service
• Pre-existing conditions
• Participation in a risky activity or extreme sport
• Any intentional self-inflicted harm or suicide
• Work-related conditions
• Certain health conditions, like cancer

Check your policy’s exclusions and limitations before choosing a plan.

Will Your Employer Have Disability Insurance?

It’s best to check with your employer’s benefits department to learn about your coverage options. Your employer may provide you with some type of group disability income insurance. This type of policy typically provides some pre-disability salary and can serve as a good foundation. But it may not be enough to support you and your family if you’re too hurt to work. Purchasing supplementary disability insurance can be a great way to tailor your coverage to help to protect your current lifestyle should a disability occur.

Can I have two disability insurance policies?

Yes, you can have two disability insurance policies. Owning multiple disability insurance policies can result in an increased monthly cash benefit in the event you’re unable to work. With one policy, you may be limited to certain benefits, however with more than one, you can put together your ideal supplementary disability insurance coverage, and benefit from the features of all of them.

Is Temporary Social Security Disability An Option?

Temporary Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can be considered an option if you’re unable to work due to a temporary disability. The Social Security Administration will pay some benefits to those who apply and are approved. If you qualify for SSDI, you can also purchase supplementary disability insurance, which can temporarily help between your lost wages and your SSDI payment.

However, worth noting is that this program generally doesn’t pay well enough for someone to live comfortably. In 2021, the average disability payment was $1,277 per month.²

It’s also important to observe that 63% of initial If you don’t qualify for SSDI, supplemental disability insurance could be helpful.

Where Can I Purchase Supplemental Disability Insurance?

You can purchase disability insurance with HealthMarkets. We can help you compare plans available in your area, at no cost to you.

Call us today at (800) 827-9990 to speak to a licensed insurance agent, or find a local licensed insurance agent near you.