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Best Disability Insurance

Guardian is our top pick because it offers a wide range of options

An unexpected disability can hurt you financially as much as physically. If you fall and break your leg over the weekend, you’ll be unable to return to work for several weeks. If the injury didn’t occur on the job, you won’t be covered by workers’ comp. While your health insurance policy will pay for your medical care, it can’t do anything for your lost wages in the coming weeks.

The right disability coverage protects against lost income while you’re unable to work. While some employers offer disability insurance as part of employee benefits, many people opt to buy personal policies to make sure they are always covered.

In choosing the best disability insurance companies, we looked at 15 providers and compared their policies, costs, plan benefits, how easy it is to get a quote and apply, and how soon coverage kicks in. We also evaluated their financial stability and claims satisfaction, using data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and AM Best.

Best Disability Insurance of 2024

Best Disability Insurance
Best Disability Insurance

Best Overall : Guardian


Guardian

Guardian

  • Coverage: Long- and short-term disability insurance policies
  • Available in 50 states: Yes
  • Elimination period: 90 or 180 days

Why We Chose It

Guardian wins our best overall disability insurance category because it offers a wide range of options to meet your needs. It offers long- and short-term disability insurance policies in addition to both individual and supplemental coverage, with some form of coverage available in all 50 states. Multiple riders can be included in your policy for truly personalized coverage, with online quotes available for many.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Long-term, short-term, individual, and supplemental coverage options available

  • Multiple riders, including student loan payment protection

  • Supplemental disability coverage available without a medical exam

  • Online quotes available in most states

Cons
  • Group disability coverage maxes out at 60% of your income

  • Can not purchase coverage online

Overview

Guardian's roots go back to 1860 in New York, where it began writing policies to protect employees and individuals. The company offers a variety of disability insurance options across all 50 states and boasts an AM Best rating of A++ (Superior) for financial stability—the best rating available.

Through employers, Guardian offers short- and long-term disability income insurance. If you are self-employed or otherwise aren't able to purchase coverage through your workplace—or simply want additional protection—Guardian also offers individual and supplemental disability insurance. There are many riders to choose from, such as student loan payment protection, that provide added peace of mind, which is why Guardian rises to the top of our list.

Guardian disability insurance is available to professionals, laborers, and those in either the medical or dental fields. As always, you'll want to be sure to shop around a bit before committing to your coverage to ensure you're getting the best possible price.

Coverage limits and limitations vary depending on the type of policy you choose and whether it's through your employer or not. However, Guardian offers long-term disability coverage with elimination periods of 90 or 180 days and with coverage lasting either two years, five years, 10 years, 20 years, or up to retirement.

You may be able to get a quote online, depending on your occupation and location, but purchasing coverage will require you to contact a Guardian representative. Medical exams are not required if buying supplemental disability coverage (you'll just need to answer three yes/no questions), but they likely will be required if buying any other type of policy.

As with any insurance product, the cost for a Guardian disability policy depends on your personal factors as well as the amount of coverage requested.

Best Long-Term Disability Insurance : Breeze


Breeze

Breeze

  • Coverage: Long-term disability insurance policies
  • Available in 50 states: Yes
  • Elimination period: 30, 60, 90, 180, or 365 days
Why We Chose It

An online application and underwriting process make buying coverage easier than ever and help Breeze snags the top spot for the best long-term disability insurance. Buying coverage can take only minutes, most applicants have no doctor’s visits, and individual long-term coverage starts as low as $9 a month.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Online application takes as little as 15 minutes

  • An immediate decision—and instant coverage occurs—in some cases

  • Coverage starts at only $9 per month

  • Monthly premiums waived after disability coverage kicks in

Cons
  • New company so fewer reviews

  • Short-term coverage not offered

  • Credit card on file required when applying

  • Medical exams required for some applicants

Overview

While the field of insurtech has been around for a while now, disability insurance wasn’t really part of the conversation until Breeze came into the picture in 2019. This company is putting a modern spin on individual long-term disability coverage, offering an application process that is entirely online with automated medical underwriting. 

Applying takes about 15 minutes through a computer or mobile device, making it stand out among the competition. Many applicants will get an immediate decision with the option for instant coverage.

Elimination periods are available for 30, 60, 90, 180, or 365 days, with benefits lasting two years, five years, 10 years, or through age 65/67 (depending on your policy terms). Coverage typically maxes out at 60% but may go to 80% of your salary, as well. Though Breeze does offer some affordable coverage options, you’ll probably pay more than the advertised $9 per month, especially if you want more coverage. You can get a fast quote on its site.

Breeze is known for requiring no medical exam, but paramedical appointments are required for some applicants; it just depends on how much coverage you want and how old you are.

Best for High-Risk Occupations : Assurity


Assurity

Assurity

  • Coverage: Long- and short-term disability policies
  • Available in 50 states: Yes
  • Elimination period: Zero (depends on policy) and 30 to 365 days
Why We Chose It

While many other companies shy away from those in high-risk professions, Assurity offers affordable disability income insurance for professions ranging from electrician to timberman. Coverage up to $20,000 is available with elimination periods as low as zero days, depending on your policy.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Elimination period ranging from 30 to 365 days—even zero days in certain cases

  • Policies are guaranteed renewable

  • Coverage can be conditionally renewed through age 75 if still working full-time

Cons
  • Coverage cannot be purchased online

  • Medical underwriting process may be more involved than others

  • Noncancelable rider not included in the base policy

Overview

Buying disability insurance can be tricky if you work in a high-risk profession; since you are put in more dangerous situations each day at work, you pose a greater risk to the insurer. High-risk occupations include things like construction, electrical work, timber work, machinery operations, and more.

Assurity was founded in 1890 and carries an A- (Excellent) financial strength rating from AM Best. Assurity offers long-term individual disability income insurance within a range of occupations. If you work in a high-risk field, however, you may find that Assurity is both one of your few options for coverage as well as one of the most affordable, making it best for high-risk occupations.

Individual policies offer elimination periods of 30, 60, 90, 180, or 365 days and up to $20,000 in total benefits. If you are offered short-term group disability coverage through your workplace, the elimination period could range from zero to 30 days.

While many insurers have moved on to automated underwriting and data analytics, Assurity still uses a traditional medical underwriting process. Because this includes a human touch—and may involve requests for medical history and records—it can be more lengthy and time-consuming. You cannot buy coverage online and need to speak with an agent instead, but you can get a quote online that includes your selected policy options and riders.

Best for Noncancelable : The Standard


The Standard

The Standard

  • Coverage: Long- and short-term disability policies; plus family-care benefits
  • Available in 50 states: All states except Wyoming (individual coverage)
  • Elimination period: Starts at 60 days
Why We Chose It

The Standard offers short- and long-term disability income insurance options with many benefits, including optional noncancelable coverage. It also offers an exclusive family care benefit that can be used more than once and protects you if you need to care for a family member with a serious health condition.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Both short- and long-term disability options available

  • Family care benefit when you take care of sick family members

  • Policy features include rehabilitation and survivor benefits

  • Optional student loan payment rider available

Cons
  • The noncancelable feature is an optional rider

  • Individual disability coverage not available in Wyoming

  • Elimination periods start at 60 days

Overview

Founded in 1906, The Standard has been providing insurance coverage to Americans for more than a century. The company offers a few different insurance products, including both long- and short-term coverage for groups and coverage for individuals. The Standard holds an AM Best financial strength rating of A (Excellent), and it was one of the first insurers to implement a waiver of premium on a policy.

Disability insurance through The Standard has elimination periods ranging from zero to seven days for short-term coverage and 60 to 360 days for long-term. Short-term disability coverage is available for up to one year. Long-term benefit periods are for one year, two years, five years, or through age 65 (or 67, depending on your policy terms).

While the noncancelable feature is an exceptional added rider, there are many benefits that are included with The Standard’s disability policies at no charge. The Family Care Benefit helps if you work 20% fewer hours, resulting in a 20% or more loss in income due to caring for a family member.

The rehabilitation benefit covers eligible rehabilitation expenses so you can return to work sooner. The Standard’s commitment to keeping you covered regardless of life events helps it win the noncancelable category. You can easily get an estimated quote for coverage through The Standard’s website. However, if you are ready to purchase coverage, you’ll need to speak with one of their agents directly. A medical exam may also be required in order to finalize your policy.

Final Verdict

Guardian was our top pick for best overall disability insurance due to its affordable options for long- and short-term disability insurance policies. It provides supplemental coverage to individuals plus offers an array of riders to suit multiple situations. Coverage (in some form) is available in all 50 states, plus Guardian is a well-respected company with strong financial ratings.

Compare the Best Disability Insurance

Company Coverage Available in 50 States Elimination Period
Guardian Best Overall Long- and short-term disability policies Yes  90 or 180 days 
Breeze Best Long-Term Disability Only long-term disability   Yes 30, 60, 90, 180, or 365 days
Assurity Best for High-Risk Occupations Long- and short-term disability policies  Yes  30 to 365 days (zero days in special cases)
The Standard Best for Noncancelable  Long- and short-term disability policies; plus family-care benefits All states except Wyoming (for individual coverage) Starts at 60 days 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How Much Do Most People Pay For Disability Insurance?

    As with any insurance policy, the cost for disability insurance policies varies widely based on the type of coverage purchased, benefits selected, age, income, occupational risk class, and even the elimination period is chosen.

    Our research found that $5,000 in monthly disability insurance coverage for a 35-year-old female could run anywhere from $95 to $290 per month. Your experience—based on your preferences and personal details—may differ.

  • Which Type of Disability Insurance Should You Purchase?

    The type of disability insurance you should purchase depends on what you need coverage for. Short-term disability insurance is intended to cover temporary illnesses, injuries, and conditions that would keep you out of work for a while but not for years and years or permanently. Long-term disability insurance is designed to help replace your income for a greater period of time if your injury, illness, or condition is serious and will have a long-lasting impact on your life.

  • What Are the Types of Disability Insurance?

    Disability insurance coverage can be short- or long-term and can be purchased through the workplace or individually. Unlike workers’ compensation insurance, disability insurance covers illnesses and injuries that are not work-related. If something happens and you have to use this coverage down the line, the benefits received would be considered tax-free.

  • Do Disability Insurance Premiums Increase?

    Your disability insurance premiums may increase over time, and the cost of your premiums may depend on factors like age, occupation, and health.

Methodology

We compared more than 15 disability insurers before picking the best for each category. In doing so, we compared the products offered, pricing, the ease of getting a quote and then buying coverage, options for benefits, and how quickly coverage would kick in. 

Of course, it also was important to choose insurers with a strong history of claims satisfaction, trusted coverage, and financial stability. We looked at data from the NAIC and AM Best in that analysis.

Disability Insurance
Article Sources
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  1. Business Wire. "AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Guardian Life Insurance Company of America and Its Subsidiaries."

  2. Assurity. "Our Impact."

  3. The Standard. "Our Financial Strength and Resiliency."