What happens to your paycheck if you can't work tomorrow?

1 in 4 Americans will be too disabled to work before they retire. We built the most straightforward disability insurance resource on the internet. Real prices, real coverage details, zero sales pressure.

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1
What is disability insurance? How it works, who it's for, and why it matters
2
Short-term vs. long-term Two types of coverage, different jobs, different costs
3
STD and pregnancy The real math of what you actually get paid
1 in 4 workers will be disabled before they retire
$3,860 average monthly benefit from a private policy
90 days typical waiting period before benefits kick in
How it works

Get from confused to covered in three moves

No insurance jargon. No pushy agents. Just the information you need to protect your income.

1
Learn what disability insurance actually does
Not what insurers want you to think it does. Our guides explain how policies work, what they cover, and what the fine print really means.
2
Figure out what you need for your situation
A surgeon and a freelance designer need completely different coverage. Find the guide written for your profession, income, and life stage.
3
Compare real numbers, not marketing fluff
Actual price ranges, benefit amounts, and coverage details. So when you talk to an agent, you already know what you should be paying.
Guides

Read the guides

Every guide is written for real people, not insurance agents. Pick the one that matches where you are right now.

What is disability insurance?
How it works, what it covers, the different types, taxes, and how to figure out if you need it.
Short-term disability insurance
Coverage for weeks or months. How claims work, what it pays, and who qualifies.
Long-term disability insurance
Policies that cover you for years or until retirement. How they work, what they cost, and who needs them.
Short-term vs. long-term
The differences, when you need one or both, and how they work together.
STD and pregnancy
The real math of what you get paid after elimination periods, concurrent benefits, and taxes.
By profession

Find the guide for your career

Your job title changes everything about disability insurance. A surgeon and a freelance developer face completely different risks and need different policies.

Doctors Own-occ requirement, real costs by specialty, why physicians pay more Medical residents GSI programs, resident discounts, when to buy on a resident salary Dentists Costs by specialty, dual-occupation claim trap, ADA plans vs. individual Lawyers Own-occ by practice area, underwriting cliff, bar plans vs. individual Nurses Group LTD tax math, travel nurse gaps, costs by specialty Software engineers RSU gap, mental health as primary risk, FIRE crossover math Self-employed No safety net, SSDI reality, income verification, costs by profile Small business owners Personal coverage, partnership protection, sole proprietors vs. S-corps
Understanding your policy

What your policy actually says

The difference between a policy that pays and one that doesn't is in the contract language. These guides break down what matters.

Own-occupation insurance Four types, real costs, claims gaps, hidden traps True own-occupation insurance Contract-language test, carrier comparison, gray-zone claims Is disability insurance worth it? Real cost math, ERISA trap, when to buy, skip, or cancel Is LTD worth it? Honest math on when LTD makes sense and when it doesn't What DI does not cover Exclusions that cause real problems, 24-month mental health cap DI riders explained Real dollar costs per rider, breakeven math, career-stage framework Business overhead expense insurance What BOE covers, real tax math, when it's not worth buying
Claims and health conditions

When you actually need to use your policy

What happens after you file a claim. How specific conditions are handled. What to do when your insurer says no.

Claim denied? What to do next 180-day deadline, appeal steps, ERISA traps, IME bias Own-occ to any-occ switch The 24-month definition change, insurer playbook, how to prepare Working part-time on disability Residual benefit math, 24-month cliff, five traps Anxiety and depression claims 24-month cap, real approval odds, buying with a history Back pain and disability claims FCE process, surveillance reality, what actually gets approved Short-term disability for surgery Recovery timelines for 11 procedures, pre-surgery filing steps Pre-existing conditions Underwriting process, informal inquiry tactic, GSI workarounds
Cost, tax and comparing options

What it costs and how coverage stacks up

Real prices, tax rules, and how employer plans, SSDI, and private policies actually compare in dollars.

How much does DI cost? Real premiums by age, income, and occupation. Group vs. individual Employer disability coverage Real dollar math after tax, caps, offsets, ERISA trap Is disability insurance taxable? Pay stub check, take-home math, one payroll change that helps SSDI vs. private disability insurance Eligibility, benefits, timing, offset math, when you need both Best disability insurance companies Side-by-side on claim-time criteria, financial strength, own-occ language My spouse works. Do I still need DI? Dual-income math, caregiver cascade, divorce risk How long does STD last? Real timelines, the "60% of pay" lie, STD-to-LTD transition How long does LTD last? Benefit periods, the anxiety trap, 24-month cliff
Browse all guides
Quick check

Do you actually need disability insurance?

Answer 3 quick questions. Takes 30 seconds. No email required.

Do you rely on your income to pay your bills?

Your paycheck doesn't protect itself.

Every guide is free. No email walls. No sales funnels. Just the information 80% of Americans are missing about protecting their income.

Read the beginner's guide