Disability Insurance in Florida
Your income is your most valuable asset. If illness or injury keeps you from working, disability insurance replaces a portion of your paycheck — so your family stays financially secure while you recover.
The risk is real — and most people are unprepared
Short-Term vs. Long-Term Disability: What's the Difference?
The two types of disability insurance serve different purposes and work best together. Here's how they compare side by side.
| Feature | Short-Term Disability | Long-Term Disability |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage duration | Typically 3–6 months (up to 2 years) | Typically 2 years to age 65 (or lifetime) |
| Elimination period | 0–14 days | 30, 60, 90, or 180 days |
| Benefit amount | 60–70% of gross income | 50–70% of gross income |
| Best for | Short illnesses, recovery from surgery, pregnancy | Serious illness, chronic conditions, severe injury |
| Premium cost | Lower | Higher (longer protection period) |
| Works with | Bridges gap until LTD kicks in | Picks up where STD leaves off |
Pro tip: Pairing a short-term policy with a 90-day elimination period long-term policy is one of the most cost-effective disability strategies available.
Key Policy Features to Look For
Own-Occupation Coverage
The gold standard — pays benefits if you cannot perform the specific duties of your own occupation, even if you could work in a different field. Critical for professionals such as physicians, attorneys, and tradespeople.
Income Replacement
Most policies replace 50–70% of your pre-disability income, paid tax-free if you pay premiums with after-tax dollars. Enough to cover your mortgage, utilities, groceries, and other essentials.
Non-Cancelable & Guaranteed Renewable
The best individual policies cannot be cancelled and premiums cannot be raised as long as you pay on time — locking in your coverage and rate regardless of future health changes.
Residual / Partial Disability
If you can return to work part-time or in a reduced capacity, residual disability riders pay a proportional benefit based on your income loss — so you are not penalized for trying to work.
Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)
An optional rider that increases your monthly benefit each year during a claim to keep pace with inflation — especially important for long-term claims that could last decades.
Future Increase Option
Lets you purchase additional coverage as your income grows — without new medical underwriting. Ideal for early-career professionals whose earnings will rise significantly over time.
Who Needs Disability Insurance?
If you couldn't work for 3 months, could your family cover the bills?
Frequently Asked Questions
Client stories
Florida Professionals Who Protected Their Income
Disability insurance is the coverage most people overlook — until they need it. Here's what happened when our clients were prepared.
"I'm a physical therapist and my hands are my livelihood. I was diagnosed with a repetitive stress condition that kept me out of work for seven months. My long-term disability policy — which Lloyd had set up two years earlier — replaced 60% of my income the entire time. I was able to focus on recovery instead of financial panic."
Karen S.
West Palm Beach, FL — Long-Term Disability Insurance
"I had back surgery and was out for 10 weeks. My short-term disability policy kicked in after two weeks and covered most of my salary. My employer didn't offer disability coverage, so Lloyd helped me get an individual policy. Best decision I made."
Paul M.
Boca Raton, FL
Short-Term Disability Insurance
"As a dentist, I needed an own-occupation policy that would pay if I couldn't perform dentistry specifically — not just any job. Lloyd found me a policy with that exact definition. Most people don't know that distinction exists."
Laura G.
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Own-Occupation Disability
"I own a small law practice. Lloyd helped me add a business overhead expense rider so my office costs would be covered if I became disabled. I hadn't even thought about that exposure until he brought it up."
Thomas H.
Jupiter, FL
Business Overhead Expense
60%
Typical Income Replaced
15+
Years Serving Florida
20+
Carrier Partnerships
$0
Cost to Compare Plans
Protect Your Income — Get a Free Disability Insurance Review
Our licensed Florida advisors will compare short-term and long-term disability options from top-rated carriers and find the right coverage for your income, occupation, and budget — at no cost to you.