Short Term Disability Insurance: Explaining Costs, Premiums, and Qualifying Rules

When you cannot work and are not bringing enough money for your daily life routine. Which includes medical, home, and food bills; your life will be difficult, and this all happens when you cannot go to work. Due to some kind of injury, serious illness, or temporary disability. In these tough days, you should have a backup plan for it. Because life brings sudden uncertainties that you had not imagined before.

Whether you are planning for pregnancy, recovering from surgery, or simply protecting yourself against income loss, this coverage can provide you with a percentage of your income through plans. Meanwhile, this guide will explain to you what short term disability insurance is and what it has for you. You will be able to make a good decision after reading this article.

What Is Short Term Disability Insurance?

Short term disability insurance is an insurance plan that covers your financial problems. When you are not able to work to earn a living for your daily life, the short term insurance comes in handy, which helps you to cover your financial problems when you are not able to work. It is not from traditional insurance that only pays off your medical bills, but short term disability insurance pays you, to help you cover the expenses.

Unlike other insurance that only covers your medical and doctor bills, it provides you with 50% to 70% of your income to cover your expenses. It does not look at or examine where you are spending the money; it gives you free rein to spend those funds from your policy.

What Is Covered By The Short Term Disability Insurance?

As other insurance pays your medical and hospital fees, it covers 50 to 70 percent of your income, and it totally depends on you whether you spend them on medical or for your other expenses; it does not look for it. 

The following are situations where it covers your expenses

1. Recovery from surgery

When you go through any kind of surgical process, you need some time to recover up and you need income support that has to cover your expenses. So, for the recovery from surgery, you can get financial support from your insurance company.

2. Serious Illness

Serious illnesses include infections, chronic disease and other diseases that prevent you from working. In this situation, you can get the insurance claims to get covered your expenses.

3. Accidents or injuries

Injuries, including falling from high places, fractures, and from road accidents that make you disabled to work for some months. Therefore, in this condition, you can get insurance.

4. During and after pregnancy

The insurance covers your expenses when you are in the last phases of your pregnancy and after the phase of your recovery from pregnancy. It can cover from 3 to 6 months. However, if you face any complications during pregnancy, it also covers them.

5. Mental Health Conditions

In the mental health conditions, such as depression or other related illnesses, you can claim the insurance if your conditions are included in the policy guidelines.

What Does not Qualify for Short Term Disability Insurance?

There are certain conditions under which you do not qualify for the insurance claims. So, you should know them all before purchasing insurance, and you should thoroughly to companies policy for the insurance. It will inform you already what you can get or what not.

Situations not covered by short term insurance.

1. Pre-existing condition

If you already have any illness or any chronic and disability before purchasing the insurance, you may not qualify for the insurance.

2. Aesthetic procedure

Cosmetic and aesthetic life style related surgeries are not included in this policy. If you are thinking of getting these surgeries, the insurance company may not claim them as per the already mentioned guidelines.

3. Injuries related to work

Those injuries that are occurring at your workplace. Sometimes you work in a risky area or in the risk containing factory where you face any kind of disabilities; this policy will not cover them.

4. Self-inflicted injuries

Those injuries that you cause by yourself, such as risky stunts and self-damaging activities, are excluded from short term insurance.

5. Normal Pregnancy

In a normal pregnancy, in which you do not need much time to recover, or without medical documentation, the policy cannot be claimed.

How Is Short Term Disability Insurance Pregnancy Covered?

Pregnancy is the most common reason that people search for the short term disability insurance. It does not cover childcare or expenses related to it. But it can replace income during medical maternity leave short term disability insurance.

Insurance pregnancy benefits apply during the following terms

• Prenatal Complications

During pregnancy mother may face serious conditions, including prenatal condition is, one of them, in this condition baby’s fetus may face serious issues that can be life-threatening.

• Childbirth recovery

After the pregnancy phase, the mother needs some time to recover from the pregnancy complications. Which might go from short to long term.

• Recovery time ordered by the doctor

When the doctors give you the order to take some time for your recovery. This situation is also included in the insurance claims.

• Normal Delivery

When you have a normal delivery, it can take a short time for recovery, which is why it is giving you 6 weeks after the claim.

• Cesarean delivery 

When you get a baby delivered by operation, you may need more time than usual, as it takes a long time around 8 weeks. This time can be claimed by you.

Who Should Consider Private Short term Disability Insurance?

This insurance is totally based on medical proof, that is giving you the evidence, so that you may qualify for the short term disability insurance provided by a private company. Private short term disability insurance is especially valuable for the following factors.

• Those who are self-employed individuals
• Those who are on contracts with work and Gig
• Employees in small businesses can consider
• Those who are planning for elective surgery 
• Workers in physically demanding jobs

How Many Months Does Aflac Pay Short Term Disability?

Aflac short term disability benefits usually last 3 to 6 months, depending on the plan selected. Benefit duration should always be verified before enrollment. The exact duration depends on

• Policy terms
• Certification in the medical
• Selected benefit period

How Much Does Short Term Disability Insurance Cost?

The cost of short term disability insurance can vary widely. However, it is an affordable option since the cost is mostly reflected in the benefit amount paid. The cost for the best short term disability insurance is, on average, 1% to 3% of your income. Employer-provided plans are generally cheaper, but individual short term disability insurance is slightly costlier.

Average Cost Factors

• Age and health
• Occupation Risk Level
• Monthly Benefit Amount
• Benefit duration
• Waiting and elimination period

Individual Short Term Disability Insurance Vs Employer Plans

Feature	Employer Plan	Individual Plan
Portability	No	Yes
Customization	Limited	High
Underwriting	Minimal	Medical Review
Cost	Lower	Higher

Conclusion

Short Term disability insurance is one of the best types of insurance that covers your temporary disability period, in which you cannot work. Therefore, you have a backup when you are financially broken. However, by understanding rules, costs, exclusions and purchasing options. You can get it easily without any kind of complexities. Many people even purchase this insurance to get a protection net for their future, and it is one of the wisest choices you can make.

For insurance that gives you peace of mind, you can consider InsureFinalExpense for the protected future ahead.

FAQs

Can I buy short term disability insurance on my own?

Yes, it is possible that you can get disability insurance by yourself without any help from other agents.

What is typically covered under short term disability?

It covers temporary illness, injuries, accidents and pregnancy disabilities. As they prevent you from working.

Is short term disability worth it?

Yes, this insurance is helpful when you cannot work to earn a living, and it helps you cover some financial problems.

How many months does AFLAC pay short term disability?

This totally depends upon policy, but it generally pays you 3 to 6 months.

What doesn’t qualify for short term disability?

Work related injuries, pre existing conditions during waiting periods, cosmetic procedures, and self inflicted injuries usually don’t qualify.