When your monthly income is threatened by injury or illness, the security of disability insurance provides the means to protect the financial future of both you and your family. Disability insurance offers financial support to pay your bills in the event that you cannot work for an extended period. The policy will provide partial replacement for your income during your period of disability.
However, many in the workforce do not have even basic protection against loss of income because they presume they do not need such protection. This blog post highlights four misconceptions about disability insurance.
Misconception #1: Assuming you can live off savings until you return to work.
According to the Life Happens Disability Survey conducted in 2012, half of all survey participants conceded that they would feel a financial crunch during the first month they were compelled to live off of their savings. Since disabling injuries and illnesses typically last for many months or even years, most people cannot rely on their savings to compensate for lost income.
Misconception #2: Expecting government assistance programs to provide funds to cover lost income.
Most people will not qualify for sufficient public assistance to replace lost income if they suffer an injury or illness that keeps them from working. Although government programs may eventually provide financial benefits, the process of applying and qualifying for these benefits takes time.
Misconception #3: Presuming that there is no risk of disabling injury or illness because an individual works in a low risk occupation.
While there are occupations that are more dangerous than others, it is inaccurate to assume that people in occupations that are considered relatively safe rarely are incapacitated. Approximately 25 percent of all people who are 20-year-olds today will become disabled at some point during their career according to the Social Security Administration. Most work-related disabilities are the result of an illness rather than an accident, so the likelihood they will occur is not dependent on the level of danger associated with the occupation.
Misconception #4: Presuming that the inability to work is covered by work-related disability benefits.
73 percent of long-term disabilities are not caused by a work-related illness or injury according to the National Safety Council. If a debilitating injury or illness is not work-related, the disability will not qualify an individual for Workers Compensation benefits.
You can reach Miami Insurance Claims Lawyer J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo by dialing his direct number at (786) 272-5841, calling the main office at (305) 461-1095, or Toll Free at 1 (866) 71-CLAIM or email Attorney Gonzalez-Sirgo directly at [email protected].
