How to Insure Your Income: Occupational or Not

Both short-term and long-term disability income policies may be occupational or non-occupational.

Occupational coverage provides payment for disability arising out of accidents occurring on or off the job. Non-occupational coverage provides payment only for disability that is not work-related.

Usually, group health insurance policies do not include occupational coverage, because it is covered by workers' compensation insurance. An occupational policy pays benefits whether or not the disability is covered under workers' compensation; a non-occupational policy does not pay if workers' comp pays.

Non-occupational coverage costs less than occupational coverage.