disability insurance keywords Flashcards
any occupation
is total disability that requires that for disability income benefits to be payable, the insured must be unable to perform any job for which the insured is “reasonably suited by reason of education, training, or experience.”
own occupation
is total disability that requires that in order to receive disability income benefits the insured must be unable to perform any job for which the insured is “reasonably suited by reason of education, training, or experience.”
nonoccupational
coverage is coverage provided by a disability income policy that does not provide benefits for losses occurring as the result of the insured’s employment.
Presumptive Disability
is a disability income policy benefit that provides that if an insured experiences a specified disability, such as blindness, the insured s presumed to be totally disabled and entitled to the full amount payable under policy, whether or not the insured is able to work. presumptive disabilities include total blindness, total deafness, loss of speech, and loss of two or more limbs.
partial disability
is an illness or injury preventing insured from performing at least one or more, but not all, of the insured occupational duties or the inability to work at that job on a full-time basis, either of which result in a decrease in income.
residual amount benefit
is a disability income payment based on the proportion of income the insured has actually lost, taking into account the fact that the insured is able to earn some income. for example if the isnured suffered a 20% of the benefit that the policy would provide for total disability.
accidental means
is the unforeseen, unexpected, unintended cause of an accident. the cause of the mishap must be accidental for an accident-based policy claim to be payable
accidental results
are policies that use the accidental bodily injury provision (sometimes called the results provision) required that the result of the injury has to be unexpected and accidental. this is far less restrictive than the accidental means provision
probationary period
is a specified number of days after an insurance policy’s issue date during which coverage is not afforded for sickness. Standard practice for group coverages as well as disability coverage. the probationary period typically does not apply to accidents. the real goal of this provision is to prohibit people from buying insurance only when they need it and immediately filing a claim, otherwise known as adverse selection.
elimination period
is a duration of time between the beginning of an insured’s disability and the commencement of period for which benefits are payable. the elimination period is often considered the “deductible” for a disability policy and is directly correlated to the premiums of the policy. if an insured wants a lower premium, they will need to settle for a longer elimination period. if an insured want’s a shorter elimination period, they will have higher premiums.
benefit period
is the maximum length of time during which a benefit is paid. the longer the benefit period, the higher the cost (premium) of the policy. instead of charging additional premiums or excluding coverage when issuing a disability income policy to a substandard risk, an insurer may shorten the benefit period.
delayed disability provision
is a disability income policy provision that allows a certain amount of time after an accident for a disability to result, and the insured remains eligible for benefits. most policies allow a certain amount of time during which total disability may result from an accident and the insured will still be eligible for benefits.
recurrent disability provision
is a disability income policy provision that specifies the period of time during which the reoccurrence of a disability is considered a continuation of a prior disability. most policies provide for recurrent disabilities by specifying a period of time during which the recurrence of a disability is considered a continuation of the prior disability. during that time period, the insurer will then pay benefits without a new elimination period. if the recurrence takes place after that period it is considered a new disability. this means it will be subject to a new elimination period.
social security rider
provides for the payment of additional income when the insured is eligible for social insurance benefits but those benefits have not yet begun, have been denied, or have begun in an amount less than the benefit amount of the rider
cost of living adjustment rider
it is a rider available with some policies that provides for an automatic increase in benefits (typically tied to the consumer price index), offsetting the effects of inflation.
guaranteed insurability rider
is an arrangement, usually provided by rider, whereby additional insurance may be purchased at various times without evidence of insurability. This rider guarantees the insureds insurability giving them the right to purchase additional amounts of disability income coverage at predetermined times in the future without proof of good health
rehabilitation benefit
facilitates vocational training to prepare insured for a new occupation. with some disabilities, insured may not be able to return to their normal occupation but still be able to work at some kind of job. Under the rehabilitation
percent-earnings approach
determines the benefits using a percentage of the insured’s pre-disability earnings and takes into account other sources of disability income
flat amount approach
specifies a flat income benefit amount that will be paid if the insured becomes totally disabled. normally, this amount is payable regardless of any other income benefits the insured may receive. this amount is usually 50% of the full disability benefit.
change of occupation provision
allows the insurer to reduce the maximum benefit payable under the policy if the insured switches to a more hazardous occupation or to reduce the premium rate charged if the insured changes to a less hazardous occupation. if the insured changes to a less hazardous job, the insurer will return any excess unearned premium.
nondisabling injuries
are injuries that may have resulted from an accident but are not necessarily disabling. many disability policies include a provision for medical expense benefits that pay the actual cost of medical treatment for nondisabling injuries that result from an accident
elective indemnity options
may be selected by the insured when applying for a disability policy. these are typically for short term disability income policies and provide for an optional lump sum payment for certain named injuries.
waiver of premium rider
allows the policyowner to waive premium payments during a disability and keeps the policy in force. it does not provide cash payments to the policyowner. the disability must be total and permanent (as defined by the policy) and have sustained through the waiting period (as defined by the policy but typically, 90 days or 6 months). after a certain age (usually 60 or 65), the waiver of premium rider is void. this it NOT a loan. the insurance company is “waiving” the premiums, its just as if the premiums were paid on time each month
