Protect Your Income.
Secure Your Future.
Disability insurance is the foundation of a sound financial plan, protecting your most valuable asset: your ability to earn an income. A sudden illness or injury can stop your paycheck, but your bills keep coming. We specialize in navigating these complexities to find your exact coverage fit.
Why Disability Insurance Matters
Your Greatest Asset
More than your home or retirement accounts, your ability to work and generate an income over your lifetime is your biggest asset. If that stops, everything else is at risk.
“True Own Occupation”
We prioritize top-tier policies that pay benefits if you cannot perform the specific duties of your occupation, even if you are healthy enough to work in another field.
The Group Coverage Gap
Many rely on employer plans, but they often have severe gaps. Group plans are usually capped at 50-60% of base salary, are often fully taxable, and do not cover bonuses or commissions.
Business Protection
If you are a business owner or practice owner, a sudden disability doesn’t just hurt your income—it impacts your employees and overhead. Specialized coverage keeps the lights on while you recover.
Understanding the Details
Designing a Policy for Your Life
Disability insurance is highly customizable. The cost and quality of your coverage depend on three major factors that we will help you tailor to your exact financial situation:
- Elimination Period: The waiting period before benefits begin (typically 90 days). A longer wait lowers your premium.
- Benefit Period: How long the policy will pay out if you are disabled. Common options include 5 years, 10 years, or up to age 65/67.
- Definition of Disability: The most crucial element. “Any Occupation” is hard to claim; “True Own Occupation” protects your specialized career.
Types of Disability Coverage
Just like life insurance, there are different tools for different jobs. We evaluate your current employer benefits, your savings, and your liabilities to recommend the perfect mix.
Long-Term (LTD)
Individual Coverage
- Replaces 60-70% of income
- Benefits are usually tax-free
- Portable (stays with you)
- Lasts until retirement age
The “Foundation” Strategy
What it is: A private policy that protects against catastrophic, career-ending illnesses or injuries.
Who it’s for: High-income earners, physicians, attorneys, and anyone who wants coverage completely independent of their employer.
Short-Term (STD)
Bridging the Gap
- Pays out quickly (0-14 days)
- Covers temporary recovery
- Often provided by employers
The “Emergency Fund” Strategy
What it is: Coverage designed for minor surgeries, maternity leave, or short-term illnesses, usually lasting 3 to 6 months.
The Catch: It won’t protect you if a condition becomes permanent. It is meant solely to bridge the gap to a long-term policy.
Business Overhead
BOE Coverage
- Covers rent, utilities, payroll
- Prevents business closure
- Premiums are tax-deductible
- Keeps equity intact
The “Keep the Lights On” Strategy
What it is: A policy that pays the fixed expenses of running your business if you, the owner, are disabled.
Who it’s for: Dentists, doctors, lawyers, and small business owners who are the primary revenue drivers for their firm.
