Short Term Disability Insurance
A financial product designed to replace a portion of your income when you're temporarily unable to work due to a qualifying illness, injury, or medical condition, typically providing benefits for 3-12 months.
Detailed Explanation
Short term disability insurance serves as a critical financial safety net during challenging periods, providing temporary income replacement (usually 60-70% of your salary) when you're unable to work. The benefit period typically ranges from 3-6 months, though some policies extend coverage up to one year. Most policies include a brief elimination period (waiting period) of 0-14 days before benefits begin. Common covered conditions include recovery from surgery, pregnancy and childbirth, severe illness, injuries from accidents, and sometimes mental health conditions.
Practical Example
Sarah, a 35-year-old marketing manager, required knee surgery following a weekend hiking accident. Her recovery period was estimated at 8 weeks. With only 2 weeks of sick leave available, she relied on her employer's short term disability insurance to cover 65% of her salary for the remaining 6 weeks of recovery. Without this coverage, she would have faced nearly $9,000 in lost income during her recovery period.
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