The Insurance Buying Guide: Non-Disabling Injury Rider

This option does not pay a disability benefit. Rather, it provides for the payment of medical expenses incurred due to an injury that does not result in total disability. In short, it's a form of health insurance.

Example: Arthur has a disability income policy that includes the non-disabling injury benefit. He's injured in a recreational baseball game at a picnic. He is taken to the hospital for X-rays and treatment for a badly sprained ankle. He incurs medical expenses totaling $550, but returns to work the next day. He doesn't receive any disability income benefits, but he would be reimbursed $550 for his non-disabling injury.

This is a kind of coverage that makes most sense for people who have trouble qualifying for traditional health insurance. It is a kind of loophole for insuring medical costs.