Our disability insurance ratings methodology
“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.
“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.
BLUEPRINT
Published 8:58 a.m. UTC May 24, 2024
Editorial Note: Blueprint may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured here on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations. Please view our full advertiser disclosure policy.
Andrii Yalanskyi, Getty Images
How we rate disability insurance
We evaluated 126 data points and scored nine disability insurance companies by weighting key policy factors that are important to consumers. The best long-term disability policies offer options for short elimination periods, high monthly benefits and long benefit periods, such as up to 10 years or up to 70 years old.
Our star ratings explained
Each disability insurance company was scored based on weighted key factors, and its total score out of 100 determines its star rating. Top scores earned 5 stars.
Best disability insurance methodology
To determine the best disability insurance companies, we analyzed data points about the breadth of coverage options available and the ease with which you can purchase a policy online.
Maximum monthly benefit options
Long-term disability policies with a maximum monthly benefit of at least $30,000 per month received full points.
>> Why this is important: Long-term disability can cover a portion of your income for multiple years, all the way up to retirement, depending on your needs and the policy you choose. We recommend that your monthly benefit amount be at least 60% of your post-tax income, to ensure you can cover your everyday expenses and other bills.
Short elimination period options
Long-term disability policies with available elimination periods as short as 30 days received the maximum amount of points.
>> Why this is important: The elimination or waiting period options for long-term disability insurance can be anywhere from 30 days to a year, depending on the insurer and the policy you choose. You’ll pay more in premiums for a shorter elimination period, but you’ll be able to access coverage more quickly when you need it.
Length of benefit period options
The maximum number of points was awarded to long-term disability policies with benefit periods of at least 10 years or up to 70 years.
>> Why this is important: If you are unable to work due to a qualifying illness or injury, you’ll want long-term disability insurance that covers you for several years.
Coverage options
We only rated insurers that sell individual long-term disability insurance policies that anyone can buy, regardless of where they work. Insurers that also sell short-term disability insurance received points.
>> Why this is important: Short-term disability insurance typically covers you for three to six months if you can’t work because of a non-work-related illness (including mental health conditions like depression and anxiety), injury or pregnancy. It usually covers you at a higher percentage of your income — up to 70% — for a shorter period of time than long-term disability.
This may be of interest to some consumers, such as those who risk losing wages because of a pregnancy.
Online quotes available
Disability insurance companies that allow you to get a quote online without speaking to a financial representative received full points.
>> Why this is important: Many consumers would prefer to get quotes online rather than wait for an agent to contact them to compare disability insurance options and rates.
Best disability insurance ranking factors
- Maximum monthly benefit options: 25 points.
- Short elimination period options: 25 points.
- Length of benefit period options up to age 70: 25 points.
- Length of benefit period options up to 10 years: 10 points.
- Online quotes available: 10 points.
- Coverage options available: 5 points.
See the results of our analysis in our rating of the best disability insurance.
How we collect data
We collect disability insurance data directly from insurer websites. Our data undergoes three levels of fact-checking to ensure accuracy. We get new data throughout the year to update our disability insurance articles and our rating is updated annually.
USA TODAY Blueprint’s editorial standards
Our goal as insurance editors is to provide readers with an unbiased analysis of insurance products on the market and break down the pros and cons of each.
For insurance ratings, we collect thousands of data points to evaluate and assign weights to the most important factors. These weights determine each product’s score out of 100, which translates to a star rating. Top-scoring insurance products get 5 stars.
Our ratings are designed to let rigorous methodology determine the winners so all star ratings are data-based. Advertisers never influence our editorial content.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
