Long Term Disability Insurance

Get payments of up to 60% of your income for a covered accident or serious illness

You never expect a serious illness or accident to happen, but when it does, it can interrupt your ability to work for months — even years. Long Term Disability Insurance can give you the financial support you need to manage your disability and your household.

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The help you need when you're unable to work

Long Term Disability Insurance takes a weight off your shoulders

If you experience a covered illness or disability that leaves you unable to work for an extended period of time, Unum Long Term Disability Insurance can pay a monthly benefit of up to 60% of your normal income. You can use this benefit however you need, whether it’s to pay out-of-pocket treatment costs or to cover personal bills and day-to-day expenses.

Our coverage includes treatment for serious forms of cancer, as well as recovery from severe injuries. The most common reasons our customers use this benefit are1:

  • Cancer
  • Back disorders, excluding injury
  • Injuries
  • Cardiovascular disorders
  • Joint disorders

A disability can drastically impact your financial situation if you’re not prepared. If you’re the primary income provider in your home, a disability can place a huge stress on your loved ones. Protect what you’ve worked so hard to build. Talk with your HR representative to see if Long Term Disability Insurance is available through your workplace.

Long Term Disability reviews:

 

Hear Marina's story

Bill laughing with his friends

Financial protection when Bill was unable to work

Bill was cleaning leaves out of his gutter when he fell off the ladder and hurt his back. A trip to the ER confirmed he had four herniated discs and would need intensive physical therapy before he could return to work. Bill’s Long Term Disability Insurance paid a percentage of his lost income, while he worked to regain his strength.

How Bill's plan paid off:

Bill’s Long Term Disability Insurance paid 60% of his gross monthly income until he was able to return to work.

  • Annual salary: $69,600
  • Gross monthly earnings: $5,800
  • Monthly benefit: $3,480

He used the money to pay for:

  • Mortgage payments
  • Child care costs
  • Utilities
  • Credit card bills

For illustrative purposes only. Coverage plans may vary. Depending on who pays for this coverage, the benefit may be taxable.

Commonly asked questions about Long Term Disability

How do I calculate how much Disability Insurance I may need?

In general, it’s best to have enough disability coverage to replace 60% of your after-tax income. However, this number can vary on a number of factors, such as recurrent debt payments and monthly living expenses.

Use our Disability Insurance Coverage Calculator to find out how much coverage is right for you.

How do I receive benefits?

The money is paid directly to you and can be used however you wish.

How long can the payments continue?

The length of time you can receive benefits depends on your policy’s Maximum Benefit Period, which is determined by your employer. Once the elimination period (the number of days that must elapse before you’re eligible for benefit payments) is satisfied and you continue to meet the definition of disability, your Long Term Disability Insurance benefits can extend through the Maximum Benefit Period.

Can I keep my coverage if I leave my job?

Yes, in most cases. See your HR representative for details.

Am I guaranteed coverage?

You may be asked some health questions, which will be used to determine whether you are eligible for coverage.

Does workers' compensation affect benefits?

The disability benefit may be reduced if you are receiving income from other insurance policies, retirement or government programs.

Your employment and returning to work

I'm ready to return to work. What do I do next?

When you are ready to return to work, please contact your claims specialist, who will work with you on your return-to-work plan.

What if I return to work and then have to go back out of work again for my disability?

Most plans allow for recurrent disability. If an employee becomes disabled again due to the same condition within a specified number of days, the recurrent provision allows continued disability payments under the original claim.

The number of days for the recurrent provision is stated in the policy.

If an employee becomes disabled after the number of days in the recurrent provision, or due to a new medical condition, a new claim would need to be filed.

Can I work part-time and still receive benefits?

Depending on the definition of disability as defined in the policy, an employee may be able to receive benefits and work part-time.

Most policies will allow employees to work part-time while on claim. Typically, an employee will need to have a certain percentage of their earnings lost to disability for a claim to remain active.

Please review the definition of disability, outlined in the certificate of coverage.

What happens to my benefits if the group policy terminates or I am terminated from my employment?

The cancellation of the policy or termination from employment does not affect a payable claim. If an employee is on claim and the policy is cancelled or the employee is terminated from employment, a claim will be paid to the same duration it would have been had either event not occurred.

Long Term Disability

1. Unum internal data, 2016. Note: Causes are listed in ranked order.

The policy or its provisions may vary or be unavailable in some states. The policy has exclusions and limitations which may affect any benefits payable. See the actual policy or your Unum representative for specific provisions and details of availability.

Group Long Term Disability:
Underwritten by Unum Life Insurance Company of America, Portland, ME.
In New York, underwritten by First Unum Life Insurance Company, New York, NY.

In New York:
This group policy provides disability income insurance only. It does NOT provide basic hospital, basic medical or major medical insurance as defined by the New York State Department of Financial Services.

The reviews on our website represent the individual experiences of verified Unum customers. We publish reviews we receive in their original format, after reviewing to ensure they meet our guidelines set forth in our terms & conditions.