Most people buy disability insurance once and never look at it again. Then income changes, families grow, and the policy quietly becomes inadequate. Set an annual review reminder so your coverage keeps up with your life.
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The coverage you signed up for years ago may not match your life today.
workers will experience a disability lasting longer than 90 days before reaching retirement age
Social Security Administration
of American adults have no disability insurance of any kind, private or employer-sponsored
Council for Disability Awareness
typical replacement ratio from employer plans, often capped, and taxable if premiums are employer-paid
LIMRA employer benefits survey
Disability insurance is designed to replace a percentage of your income if you can't work. The problem is that the policy is a snapshot of your life when you bought it. If your income has grown 30% since then, your benefit amount hasn't kept pace. You're paying premiums for coverage that would leave you significantly short.
It's not just income. A new mortgage, a second child, a career change from a physical job to a desk job (or vice versa) all change what adequate coverage looks like. The policy doesn't update itself. And unlike car insurance or health insurance, there's no annual enrollment period that forces you to look at it.
That's why it slips. Not because people don't care, but because nothing triggers the review. A yearly reminder is the simplest fix.
Guides for reviewing, updating, and making the right call on your coverage.
A step-by-step guide to evaluating your policy: benefit amount, elimination period, definition of disability, riders, and exclusions.
See the checklist →Marriage, salary increases, new baby, career changes. Specific events that mean your current coverage may no longer be enough.
See the triggers →What happens when a disability claim hits an outdated policy. The income gap can be far larger than people expect.
See the real cost →Detailed guides for every angle of your policy review.
At least once a year, and after any major life change like a new job, salary increase, marriage, or baby. Annual reviews catch gaps before they become problems.
Check the benefit amount against your current income, the definition of disability (own-occupation vs. any-occupation), the elimination period, benefit duration, and any riders or exclusions. See the full checklist for a step-by-step guide.
Usually not. Most employer plans cover 60% of base salary, cap benefits at $5,000-$10,000 per month, and use an any-occupation definition. If your income has grown or you have significant expenses, a supplemental individual policy may be worth it.
Own-occupation pays benefits if you cannot perform your specific job. Any-occupation only pays if you cannot perform any job you are reasonably qualified for. Own-occupation is more protective but costs more.
Some policies include a future increase option or guaranteed insurability rider that lets you increase coverage at specific life events without new underwriting. Check your policy for this rider before assuming you need to reapply.
You receive benefits based on what the policy says, not what you need. If your income has doubled since you bought the policy but the benefit amount stayed the same, you could face a 70% income gap instead of 40%.
Free. No account. You'll get an email when it's time to check your disability coverage, with follow-ups so it doesn't slip again.
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