Buying disability insurance?
These tips will guide your purchase
By Frank N. Darras

Purchasing disability insurance can be tricky and expensive. Policies vary greatly. While some are iron-clad and pay benefits when you need them, others have more holes than a pasta strainer.

Given the hefty price tag, you want to make sure you buy the right type of policy. The following tips will help you make informed choices:

1. Decide how much coverage you need. Do you spring for the maximum benefit or can you afford to live on a bit less? The more coverage you buy, the more expensive your policy will be.

2. Determine how long you can go without benefits. This is known as the "elimination period" or "waiting period." To save money on premiums, opt for a longer waiting period before benefits begin — perhaps 90 or even 180 days.

Expect to pay a substantial premium for benefits that kick in within 30 or 60 days.

3. Obtain the longest benefit period possible. This should be at least until you reach age 65. While you might consider a five-year benefit cap to cut premiums, this is a risky gamble, since your disability might last much longer.

4. Always look for 'own-occupation' coverage. This pays benefits if a disability leaves you unable to perform your job, even if you can still work in another occupation.

Unfortunately, many companies have stopped offering own-occupation policies. Those that still do have raised prices and reduced monthly benefits. Many carriers now offer occupation-specific coverage for only five years.

5. Take a close look at the fine print on exclusions and restrictions. Read the policy closely, especially if the premium seems too good to be true.

Some policies have a two-year limit on mental illness and other conditions such as chronic pain, fibromyalgia, or chronic fatigue syndrome. Many policies contain a fraud provision that allows the carrier to rescind your policy at the time of claim if it finds a false statement on your application regarding your income, occupation, or medical history.

6. Look for noncancellable, guaranteed renewable coverage. This means your insurance company can't cancel your policy, increase your premiums, or change the contract language, as long as you pay premiums on time — even if the insurer stops doing business in your state.

7. Consider a COLA clause. If you are young and expect to earn a lot, paying extra for COLA (cost of living adjustment) is money well spent. If you become disabled at 40, it will keep you ahead of inflation for the next 25 years. You should also consider future increase options, which allow you to increase coverage as you earn more money regardless of your health.

Frank N. Darras is a partner in Shernoff Dibart & Darras, LLP (www.sbd-law.com), a law firm specializing in protecting policyholders from insurance company abuse. He can be reached through the company's Web site or by calling 800-458-3386.