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QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT
YOUR DISABILITY COVERAGE
The following are some questions that you should ask your benefits administrator or
insurance agent.
All plans:
• What percentage of income will be paid? Is there a dollar limit? How is it coordinated with other plans (e.g., other benefits you, your spouse or your dependent
children could receive)?
• When do benefits begin? Is the waiting period for accidents different than for
illness? Is there a new waiting period for a recurrent disability (i.e., when you go
back to work and there is a relapse within a certain amount of time)?
• Are there any limitations or exclusions? (such as a pre-existing condition
clause that may limit or exclude benefits for any conditions you had before the
effective date of your insurance).
• Can coverage be increased without evidence of good heath?
• How long do benefits run? Are they taxable? Are they indexed for inflation?
• How is 'disability' defined in the plan?
• Is there a waiver of premium to cover your insurance premiums while you're
disabled? When does it begin? Does it refund premiums you paid after
becoming injured or sick?
TIP: When you sit down with your benefits administrator or agent, have your list of
questions already written out. Ask them to point out, in the benefits booklet or
contract, where the answers are to each of your questions and make supplementary
notes as needed. Don't be afraid to probe further or ask for clarification if you don't
understand something they say or that's printed in the booklet or plan.
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