Short Term Disability Insurance

Short term disability insurance replaces a portion of your income if you become temporarily unable to work due to illness, injury, surgery, or pregnancy.

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Nurse assisting man with short-term disability insurance

Why Need Short Term Disability Insurance?

Most people assume it will never happen to them, but the reality is that a significant portion of workers will miss time from work due to a non-work-related disability at some point in their careers.

Whether it is a back injury, a difficult pregnancy, or an unexpected surgery, short term disability gives you a financial safety net when you need it most.

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Person With Fractured Hand Filling short-term disability insurance

Insurance agent talking to client about short-term disability insurance

How Long Term Disability Insurance Works

When a qualifying disability prevents you from working, your short term disability policy activates after a short waiting period (called an elimination period), which is typically between 0 and 14 days. Once the elimination period passes, you begin receiving weekly benefit payments.

Short term disability typically covers 60–70% of your income for a benefit period of 3 to 6 months, depending on your policy.

What Does Short Term Disability Cover?

Short term disability insurance can cover a wide range of situations that prevent you from performing your regular job duties, including:

Non-work-related injuries (a fall, a broken bone, or an accident outside of work)
Illnesses requiring hospitalization or extended recovery
Planned and unplanned surgeries, including recovery time
Mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression when they prevent you from working
Pregnancy and maternity leave (including complications)
Chronic conditions that cause periodic disability

Coverage varies by policy and carrier. JMG will help you compare options to find the plan that fits your specific occupation and risk profile.

Short Term Disability
Insurance FAQs

No. Workers’ compensation covers injuries or illnesses that occur on the job. Short term disability covers non-work-related conditions that prevent you from working, such as a personal injury, illness, or pregnancy.

Many policies do cover mental health conditions like anxiety or depression when a licensed physician certifies that you are unable to work. Coverage details vary by carrier and policy, so it is important to review the terms carefully.

If your disability extends beyond your short term policy’s benefit period, a long-term disability policy can take over. JMG recommends pairing short term and long-term disability coverage to ensure your income is fully protected no matter how long a disability lasts.