Disability Insurance for the Self-Employed: Protecting Your Most Important Asset

Why group coverage won't save you

Employees often have group disability through work. The self-employed don't — and even when they did previously, that coverage ended the day the job did. Private disability insurance is the only protection that follows you, your business, and your real income.

What good disability coverage does

A strong policy replaces 60%–85% of your income, tax-free, after a waiting period you choose — typically 30 to 90 days. The benefit runs for a set term (two years, five years, to age 65) depending on the policy. For a business owner, the right structure can also cover overhead expenses while you recover, so the business survives your absence.

• Own-occupation definitions that pay if you can't do your specific work.
• Residual benefits that cover a partial return to work.
• Business overhead coverage to keep the lights on while you're out.
• Future purchase options that let you raise coverage as your income grows.

The definitions that matter

Not all disability policies are equal — the difference is in the definitions. 'Any occupation' coverage pays only if you can't do any work at all; 'own occupation' pays if you can't do your own. For specialists, professionals, and skilled trades, that distinction is everything. We explain the definitions in plain language and match them to how you actually earn.

Protect the asset you can't replace

You insure your car, your home, and your phone. Your income deserves the same — because without it, none of the rest works. We compare disability options across leading insurers, structure coverage around your business and your income type, and price it to fit. The best time to get it was years ago; the second-best is now, while you're healthy enough to qualify.