Use Maternity Benefits to Pay Your Short Term Disability Insurance Premiums

Accidents and illnesses account for 80% of short term disability claims. Sicknesses like cancer, heart disease, diabetes make up 60% of that total. Should you become seriously ill, short term disability insurance will replace up to 2/3 of your income for as long as two years. You rely on your income to pay your mortgage, car payments, etc. Wouldn't it make sense to insure your most important asset?

Many people shy away from this important income protection because of cost - thinking they won't become sick. Your budget may already be stretched, with little left over before the next pay day arrives. You may be thinking you can't afford an additional $150 per month for insurance you may never use. But if you can't afford this smaller amount, what will happen when your entire paycheck disappears?

But women who are planning a pregnancy have a unique opportunity: pregnancy is a covered sickness. Your benefit for normal delivery may greatly exceed the premium paid over time, providing important coverage for other sicknesses at no additional cost.

Short term disability insurance replaces a portion of your income for six weeks for a vaginal delivery, and eight weeks for a c-section delivery, less the elimination period. Your premium rates will depend upon the industry of your employer, and the policy configuration that you choose: elimination period, and benefit period.

Your benefit for normal delivery may be twenty four to forty eight times what you might pay in monthly premiums. Congratulations, you just paid for two to four years of important disability coverage that will replace your income should you become seriously ill.

But there is more. During your pregnancy, you may be more susceptible to a variety of illnesses. When you hear or read health warnings they typically state that young children, the elderly, and pregnant women should be most careful. In addition, illnesses such as pregnancy diabetes and other pregnancy related conditions may manifest themselves. Your short term disability policy will pay benefits for covered sicknesses, and pregnancy related illnesses.

Your short term disability policy can also help protect your health during your pregnancy. You may feel pressure to continue working to help make ends meet. Some women continue working when their doctor says no, or return to work too soon - because bills need to be paid. Having your income replaced during this time takes much of the pressure away. You won't feel the need to "work just a few more days", or return to work before feeling 100%.

But there is still more. What if your pregnancy experiences complications? Your short term disability insurance will cover pregnancy complications that require you to miss work for medical reasons. Simple bed rest does not qualify, unless there is a medical reason, verified by your doctor.

All of the above make short term disability insurance one of the smartest moves a woman can make before she gets pregnant. Pregnancy is a pre-existing condition. Once you are already pregnant, it will be too late to use your maternity benefits to pay for your insurance premiums.