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WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED TO KNOW?
What Else Do You Need To Know?
Selecting the level and duration of benefits is only the first step. To be sure that coverage will continue, you should ask about renewability. Disability insurance comes three ways: Non-cancelable policies give you the right to continue a policy by timely payment of premiums, and the insurance company cannot change the premiums and benefits shown in the policy. Guaranteed renewable policies will be automatically renewed, with the same benefits, but the premium may be increased if it is changed for an entire class of policy-holders. Optionally renewable or conditionally renewable policies are extended at each anniversary or premium due date if the insurance company decides to do so. (Some policies are renewable to age 75 if you are still employed full time.)
In general, if you pay the premiums for an individual disability policy, payments you receive under the policy are not subject to income tax. If your employer had paid some or all of the premiums, some or all of the benefits may be taxable.
When you buy, consider a policy that pays disability benefits for both accident and illness. Some policies pay only for accidents, but you want to be insured for illness too. in fact, as you get older, it is more likely that you will need to be covered for an illness than for an injury.
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