Even for most physicians, their paycheck is the one important thing that is constant in their lives. They use their paycheck to take care of the bills, to feed and clothe their families, and to make sure they have a roof over their heads. Physician disability insurance can help protect doctors and their families, protecting those paychecks in case something goes wrong.
Physicians, like other workers in their field try to stay in perfect health. They avoid any and all kinds of trouble to insure they will not miss work. Just like the rest of us, if something happens to them, their paycheck is diminished or even gone and they won’t be able to take care of their family.
There are some things that are simply out of one’s control. No matter how hard one tries to stay healthy and safe, the unexpected happens. Some types of company insurance may cover the physician for a time but the paychecks will eventually cease until returning to work.
This is the reason why disability insurance is recommended for doctors or physicians. Injuries and unexpected circumstances do not happen all the time on the job but they can still happen. And when they do, it’s best to be prepared for situations like those and not suffer more than you need to.
Here are some things that should be considered before choosing a disability insurance plan:
1: Quality. Just because an insurance plan promises a cheaper regular payment does not mean that it will the best deal. Since this insurance plan will be the main source of monthly income if a claim is made, it has to be high enough to cover all the bills that need to be paid every month. The insurance plan you select should be able to cover that amount plus other expenses.
Be sure to enroll in a plan that has a guaranteed renewable feature. This means that the insurance company, as long as premiums are paid, cannot make changes in your policy or refuse to renew your insurance for any kind of reason. This works to your advantage because this includes any changes to your health status, even if your health changes in a way that will put you in a higher risk class. As long as premiums are paid, you will always be covered.
2: Company ratings and status. Another thing you should analyze and investigate is the rating and status of the insurance company. Since they may be paying your salary for an extended period of time, it’s important that they will be up and running during the years that you will need them. This means that the insurance company must be financially sound to provide you with the security should any injury occur during your employment as physician. Generally, you would want to enroll in a plan with a rating of A+ or better.
3: Benefits. When deciding on an insurance plan, consider the maximum and elimination period of benefits of the plan. Some insurance companies offer to pay only up to 50% or 60% of your income. In fact, very few insurance companies provide a disability insurance plan that will pay 100% of your income. Most insurance companies will start paying claims from as soon as one month or as long as one year from the start of disability. So before you enroll in a plan, make sure it clearly indicates the maximum and elimination period of benefit should you need to use it.
When shopping around and enrolling in insurance, make sure that the specific medical occupation is listed, instead of a general medical occupation listing. This makes sure, as long as you pay your premium regularly, that your plan will not be changed and cancelled for any reason. And if anything should happen to you, because of your occupation, you will be covered.
Shopping around for physician disability insurance can be quite overwhelming especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for. The important thing to remember is that any decisions regarding your insurance plan should not be rushed. Careful study and examination must be made to ensure that you are getting the best deal available. If possible, get the help of a specialist or a broker who can also advise you on the best insurance companies for your situation.
