Yes. Your income is your most important asset—and it depends on your ability to work. If you get sick or hurt and can’t do your job, disability insurance helps replace your paycheck so you can still pay your bills, support your family, and stay on track financially. Read more here.
The best time to buy disability insurance is when you’re young, healthy, and early in your career—like during residency or your first few years in practice. Rates are lower, discounts are available, and you’re more likely to qualify without exclusions. Waiting can cost more and limit your options. Read more here.
Yes. Residency is the ideal time to buy disability insurance. You’re young, likely healthy, and eligible for special discounts that can lock in lower rates for life. Plus, you can start with a smaller policy and increase coverage later without another medical exam. Waiting usually means paying more or getting less coverage. Read more here.
Waiting can cost you more and limit your options. After training, you may lose access to special discounts and risk being denied coverage if your health changes. Premiums also go up with age. Buying during residency or fellowship helps lock in lower rates, better coverage, and future flexibility. Read more here.
Own-occupation disability insurance pays you if as the result of an injury of illness, you can’t do the duties of your specific job. This is far superior to any occupation disability insurance, which only pays you if you’re unable to work in any occupation that you have training, education, or experience for. Read more here.
Most doctors and dentists need enough coverage to replace 60–70% of their income. That’s usually enough to cover living expenses, student loans, and savings goals. If you’re early in your career, start with what you qualify for and use riders to increase coverage as your income grows. Read more here.
It depends on the benefit period you choose. Most doctors and dentists select coverage that pays monthly benefits until age 65 or 67, which protects their income through retirement. Shorter options like 2 or 5 years are available but offer less protection. The longer the benefit period, the more security you have if you can’t work long-term. Read more here.
It’s quick and easy. Just provide basic info like your age, specialty, income, location, and general health history. A licensed advisor will compare top companies and send you personalized quotes—no cost, no pressure. You’ll see your monthly cost, benefit amount, and coverage options so you can make an informed decision. Read more here.
Disability insurance for doctors usually costs 1% to 3% of your annual income. Your exact price depends on your age, health, specialty, coverage amount, and policy options. Residents and fellows often qualify for discounts that can save thousands over time. Starting early helps you lock in lower rates for life. Read more here.
Your premium depends on your age, health, income, specialty, gender, benefit length, optional riders, and especially your location. For example, premiums in California can be up to 30% higher than other states. Applying early and locking in discounts—especially during residency—can help lower your long-term cost. Read more here.
Yes! When you buy disability insurance early—while you’re young and healthy—you lock in lower rates for life. Your premium won’t go up with age or health changes, and you can add riders that let you increase coverage later without another medical exam. Waiting usually means higher costs and fewer options. Read more here.
Yes! Many top insurance companies offer special discounts for residents and fellows—often 10% to 30% off. These savings can be locked in for life, even as your coverage increases later. Getting a policy during training also helps you qualify while you’re young and healthy, which keeps your rates low. Read more here.
Usually, no. If you pay for your disability insurance with after-tax dollars—which most doctors do—you can’t deduct the premium. But that’s a good thing: it means in most cases your benefits will be tax-free if you ever file a claim. If your employer pays the premium or you deduct it, your benefits may be taxed. Read more here.
Only five companies offer true own occupation disability coverage for medical/dental professionals: Guardian, MassMutual, Principal, Standard, and Ameritas (ranked by financial strength). For most physicians and dentists, Guardian and MassMutual are the top choices due to their superior financial ratings, excellent contract language, solid claims reputations, and mutual company structure. Read more here.
Group coverage is offered through your employer—it’s usually free or low-cost but comes with limits. It can be taxed, canceled, capped, or reduced by other income (offsets). Individual coverage is bought on your own. It stays with you, offers stronger protection, and can pay tax-free benefits if you’re disabled. Most doctors need both to fully protect their income. Read more here.
Usually not. Association plans can be changed or cancelled by the insurance at any time, rising rates every 5 years, and weaker coverage. Some don’t pay partial disability benefits unless you’re first totally disabled—making them risky for progressive conditions like Parkinson’s or MS. A strong individual policy offers better protection, stable rates, and coverage that can’t be taken away. Read more here.
Yes, but switching means starting a brand-new application. You’ll need to go through full medical underwriting again, and because you’re older, your new policy will likely cost more. If your health has changed, you could be declined or face exclusions. That’s why it’s smart to lock in a strong policy early—while you’re young and healthy. Read more here.
Yes, you can still qualify. The insurance company may approve your application with an exclusion (meaning that condition isn’t covered), charge a slightly higher premium, or request more medical info. Some programs—like Guaranteed Standard Issue (GSI) plans for residents—don’t require a medical exam and may cover you even with health history. Most doctors can still get strong protection. Read more here.
Yes, you can still qualify. In many cases, the insurance company may add a mental/nervous exclusion, which means future claims related to anxiety or depression wouldn’t be covered—but everything else would be. If your condition is well-managed or you’re applying through a residency program with a no-exam option, you may even avoid the exclusion. Read more here.
Your medical history helps the insurance company decide if you’re approved, what your premium will be, and whether any exclusions apply. Conditions like back pain, anxiety, or migraines may lead to a higher rate or limited coverage. But most doctors still qualify—and applying while you’re young and healthy gives you the best chance at full coverage and lower cost. Read more here.
Most doctors and dentists do not need a medical exam to get coverage—especially if you’re under age 45–50 and applying for typical benefit amounts. However, an exam may be required if you’re older or applying for a high monthly benefit. The exam is quick and simple, and in some cases, it can help you qualify for better rates. Read more here.
A policy exclusion is a clause that removes coverage for a specific condition—like back pain or anxiety—based on your medical history. If that condition causes a disability, the policy won’t pay for it. But everything else is still covered. Exclusions allow you to get protection now, and in some cases, they can be reviewed or removed later if your health improves. Read more here.
A residual rider pays you a partial benefit if an illness or injury causes you to work less and earn less, even if you’re not totally disabled. It helps replace lost income when you can still work part-time or perform some duties. This rider is especially important for doctors and dentists whose income depends on working full time or doing specific procedures. Read more here.
A COLA rider increases your monthly disability benefit each year you’re on claim to help keep up with inflation—usually by 3% annually. It’s especially important for younger doctors and dentists, since a long-term disability could last years and fixed benefits lose value over time. Read more here.
It’s a rider that lets you increase your monthly disability benefit later—without a medical exam. You only need to show your income has gone up. It protects your ability to get more coverage in the future, even if your health changes. It’s ideal for residents, fellows, and early-career doctors expecting higher income. Read more here.
You can—but unless your policy includes a Future Increase Option (FIO) or Benefit Purchase Rider (BPR), you’ll need to go through full medical underwriting again. If your health has changed, you might be declined or face exclusions. With the rider, you can increase your benefit later with no medical exam—just proof of income. It’s smart to add this when you first buy your policy. Read more here.
It’s the waiting period before your benefits begin—kind of like a time-based deductible. Most doctors and dentists choose a 90-day elimination period, meaning you’d start getting paid after 90 days of being disabled. Shorter periods pay sooner but cost more. Longer periods lower your premium but delay benefits. Read more here.
You must meet three key requirements: First, you must be unable to perform the material and substantial duties of your specific occupation (not just any job). Second, you need to demonstrate an actual loss of income due to your disability. Third, you must be under the ongoing care of a physician who can document your condition. Once you submit your claim, expect the insurance company to conduct interviews, request your medical records, and review financial documentation like tax returns and pay stubs to verify your claim. Read more here.
Start by notifying your insurance company and requesting the claim forms. You’ll need to submit details about your condition, a statement from your doctor, a list of your job duties, and proof of income (if filing a partial claim). Your condition must meet your policy’s definition of disability, and you must satisfy the elimination period—usually 90 days. Your agent can help guide you through each step. Read more here.
Most policies have a 90-day elimination period, which means benefits begin after you’ve been disabled for 90 days. Since payments are made monthly in arrears, your first check usually arrives around day 120 (about 4 months after your disability starts). Submitting complete paperwork quickly helps avoid delays. Read more here.
With a true own-occupation policy, you’re considered disabled if you can’t do the core duties of your occupation(s)—even if you can work in another specialty or field. You may still receive full benefits. The insurance company will look at what you were doing at the time of your disability, not just your job title. Every claim is reviewed individually. Read more here.
If you return to full-time work and earn your full income, your disability benefits will stop. But if you go back to work and still have a loss of income due to your condition, you may qualify for partial benefits (if your policy includes that rider). If your condition returns shortly after returning to work, many policies waive the elimination period so benefits can restart faster. Every policy is different, so it’s important to review your coverage. Read more here.
Guardian Life Insurance offers the best disability coverage for surgeons due to their enhanced true own occupation definition with a specialized surgical enhancement. If more than 50% of your income comes from performing surgical procedures, Guardian considers you totally disabled if you cannot perform surgery – even if you can still work in other medical capacities like consulting or teaching. Combined with Guardian’s superior financial strength ratings and mutual company structure, this unique surgical protection makes them the gold standard for surgeons’ disability insurance needs. Read more here.
No, disability insurance does not cover normal pregnancy or routine maternity leave. However, if you have pregnancy complications that prevent you from working, you may qualify for benefits after the elimination period is met. If you’ve had past pregnancy complications, future ones may be excluded as a pre-existing condition. Also, if you’re already pregnant, that pregnancy won’t be covered under a new policy. Read more here.
Yes—in most cases, dentists can still get coverage, even with a history of hand or wrist pain. However, the insurer will likely add an exclusion, meaning they won’t cover claims related to that hand or wrist. Every case is reviewed individually, so the best approach is to work with a broker who can pre-screen your case anonymously with multiple insurers to see what offers are available. Read more here.
If you own your practice, look for a policy with a true own-occupation definition and an enhanced partial disability rider, which pays benefits if your income drops—even if your hours and duties stay the same. You should also consider a business overhead expense (BOE) policy to cover your office bills, staff salaries, and other fixed costs while you recover. A broker can help you compare plans and find the right fit for your personal and business needs. Read more here.
Yes. Most employer-provided disability plans have major gaps—like weak definitions of disability, taxable benefits, and no coverage if you leave your job. They may pay less than 40% of your income after taxes and offsets. A personal policy gives you stronger protection, tax-free income, and true own-occupation coverage that stays with you no matter where you work. Read more here.