Disability Insurance

Most individuals aren’t financially prepared to support themselves if they are suddenly unable to work. Disability insurance provides financial security by helping working individuals cover necessary expenses and maintain their current lifestyles if they’re unable to work due to a covered illness or injury.

At KSA Insurance, we help residents in South Carolina and across the southeastern United States find comprehensive disability insurance policies that provide them with peace of mind at an affordable price. Read on to learn more about disability insurance, and contact us today for a custom quote.

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What is Disability Insurance?

Health insurance may help cover medical expenses, but to cover living expenses when you miss work due to illness or injury, you need disability insurance.

Disability insurance provides cash to policyholders who are forced to miss work for an extended period of time due to a covered injury. This cash can be used for rent, mortgages, car payments, and other monthly expenses.

The amount of cash provided is based on a percentage of your income, and you will continue to receive benefits for the amount of time specified by your insurance policy.

Types of Disability Insurance

The two primary types of disability insurance are long-term and short-term:

Short-term disability insurance provides coverage for a short period of time and is intended for temporary disabilities. Policyholders can use the cash they receive from their policies for monthly living expenses and to replace lost income. Policyholders may receive benefits for anywhere from three months to a year.

Long-term disability insurance offers protection for a longer period of time and is intended for more serious disabilities that might last for years, and in some cases until you reach age 67. There is also an elimination period, which is the length of time you must be disabled before you receive any benefits.

How Much Coverage Do You Need?

The amount of coverage you need depends mostly on how much income is required to cover your monthly living expenses, including mortgage payments, utilities, groceries, childcare, etc.

Typically, at least 60% of your after-tax monthly income is recommended to ensure you can maintain your lifestyle after you’re unable to work.

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Disability insurance provides workers with the money they need to support themselves and live comfortably following a covered injury or illness that prevents them from working. At KSA Insurance, we work with most major insurance carriers to help individuals find affordable insurance policies that meet their coverage needs and provide invaluable financial security. Contact KSA Insurance today to request a quote and learn more about our disability insurance offerings.

Request A Quote

Frequently Asked Questions about Individual Health Insurance in South Carolina

Individual disability insurance is a private-policy that replaces a portion of your income if you become disabled (due to illness or injury) and cannot work. Unlike employer‐provided group disability, this is your own contract. 

Because:

  • You may not have access to strong employer disability benefits (there is no state mandate requiring employers in SC to provide short‐term disability. ) 
  • If you lose your ability to earn income, an IDI policy can help cover expenses.
  • Employer benefits (if you have them) may not fully protect you or may cease when you change jobs.
  • Short‐Term Disability (STD): covers shorter periods (weeks to a few months). Premiums/terms depend on policy. In SC, STD is voluntary for employers.
  • Long‐Term Disability (LTD): covers a longer period (months to years, sometimes to retirement) if you are unable to work for an extended period.

When shopping for IDI in SC (or elsewhere), you’ll want to compare:

  • Elimination (waiting) period: how long after disability before benefits begin. In SC, LTD policies often have 30 days to 1 year waiting periods. 
  • Benefit period: how long the benefit pays (e.g., 2 years, 5 years, to age 65).
  • Definition of disability: some policies pay only if you can’t do any job, others if you can’t do your occupation.
  • Percentage of income replaced (benefit ratio): often ~50-70% of predisability earnings.
  • Residual/partial disability rider: pays if you return to work in a limited capacity.
  • Cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) rides: increases benefits with inflation.
  • Exclusions & limitations: review carefully (pre-existing conditions, mental health, pregnancy, etc).

Premiums depend on your age, occupation (risk level), health status, waiting period, benefit period, and benefit amount.

You’ll generally apply with underwriting: health questionnaire, medical records, possibly exam. The insurer will evaluate your job/occupation, health history, and policy terms. For LTD in SC, claims may have a significant process and potential denials.

Having employer coverage is beneficial. But your employer plan might:

  • Terminate if you leave the job.
  • Provide limited benefit period.
  • Be taxable (if employer pays premium).

 An IDI policy gives you control and continuity.

  • Notify your insurer as soon as possible.
  • Provide medical documentation, your work history, and proof of disability.
  • For group plans there may be a different process; for your individual policy follow the insurer’s claim form.
  • In SC, denial is not uncommon; you’ll want to understand your rights and appeals.

You have rights to appeal. For example, for LTD claims SC-based sources note: there is a window (often up to 180 days) to appeal initial denial. You may want to consult with a benefits/disability attorney.

Private disability insurance policies are separate from federal programs such as Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits (like SSDI/SSI). However:

  • If you receive SSA payments, the private insurer might offset your benefit.
  • SSDI requires you to have paid into Social Security and meet strict disability definition. 
  • Having an IDI policy doesn’t guarantee SSA approval, and vice versa.
  • SC does not mandate employers to offer short‐term disability coverage. So many workers rely on private IDI if they want coverage.
  • For state employees in SC, the South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA) offers Basic LTD (automatic if health insurance elected) with limited benefit (max $800/month). Supplemental LTD is optional.
  • Be especially careful with policy terms if you have a high-risk occupation (e.g., heavy physical work) or pre‐existing health conditions.

Ask yourself:

  • Could you afford your living expenses if you lost your income for 6–12 months or longer?
  • Are you in a high-earning profession (that you want to protect)?
  • Do you already have some coverage (employer or other)?
  • What are your health risks, age, occupation hazards?
  • What waiting period and benefit period are you comfortable with?
  • Balance the premium cost with your risk tolerance and need for income protection.
  • What is your elimination period?
  • What is the benefit period for my occupation?
  • How is “disability” defined in this policy: “own-occupation” or “any-occupation”?
  • What happens if I return to work part time?
  • Are there any offsets (e.g., other benefits I receive reducing this benefit)?
  • Will my premium increase? What are the renewal terms?
  • Are there riders I should consider (COLA, residual, future purchase, waiver of premium)?
  • What happens if I change jobs or have a gap in coverage?
  • Policies with “any‐occupation” definitions can pay less or no benefit if you can do some other work.
  • Some policies exclude certain conditions (e.g., self‐inflicted injury, war, active participation in hazardous activities).
  • Pre‐existing conditions may be excluded or covered only after a waiting period.
  • If you delay applying or don’t provide adequate medical evidence, claim can be denied.
  • Some policies don’t include inflation or adjust benefit over time.
  • If you have group coverage and then go on your own, you may not get the same terms on individual coverage.

If you have pre‐existing conditions, chronic health issues (e.g., recurring pain, swelling, major surgery, neurological issues), the insurer may:

  • Charge a higher premium.
  • Impose a higher elimination period.
  • Exclude the condition or related ones from coverage (or apply a waiting period).

Thus it’s important to fully disclose your health history and evaluate carefully.

Get A Quote

Disability insurance provides workers with the money they need to support themselves and live comfortably following a covered injury or illness that prevents them from working. At KSA Insurance, we work with most major insurance carriers to help individuals find affordable insurance policies that meet their coverage needs and provide invaluable financial security. Contact KSA Insurance today to request a quote and learn more about our disability insurance offerings.

Request A Quote

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