The Best Individual Short-Term Disability Insurance in 2025

While missing work for an extended period of time may not be one of your primary concerns, it never hurts to be prepared just in case. An unexpected injury or illness that keeps you out of work for several weeks or months could mean a major hit to your income if you lack the proper coverage. To help prevent large gaps in income, consider getting individual short-term disability insurance.

Luckily, a local independent insurance agent can help you find the right individual short-term disability insurance. They can shop and compare policies from multiple carriers for you to find the best policy. But first, use our guide to the best individual short-term disability insurance for this year.

What Is Individual Short-Term Disability Insurance?

Individual short-term disability insurance is a personal insurance policy that can pay a portion of your income if you become unable to do your job as a result of an accidental injury or disease. To qualify for coverage, the injury or illness cannot be work-related. Such incidents are what workers' compensation insurance is designed to cover.

When it comes to disability insurance, there are long-term and short-term options. Short-term disability insurance pays a percentage of your income for a short amount of time until you’re able to return to work. This coverage period typically ranges between 13 and 52 weeks. Long-term disability insurance policies can reimburse you for a portion of your typical income should you need to be out of work for longer than this amount of time.

If your employer doesn't offer group disability insurance, you might need to get your own individual policy. While group disability policies may cover a portion or all of the premium, individual short-term disability insurance is a policy obtained and paid for by you. An independent insurance agent can help you find the right individual short-term disability insurance for your needs.

How Does Individual Short-Term Disability Insurance Work? 

Individual short-term disability insurance is offered through life and disability insurance companies. Just like other insurance policies, when you purchase individual short-term disability insurance, you’ll pay a monthly premium. If you fall ill or are injured and can no longer work, your short-term disability insurance policy can pay a percentage of your income for a specific amount of time. 

The average policy pays about two-thirds of your income for three to six months but the coverage period can sometimes be extended. There are two main types of short-term disability insurance:

• Guaranteed renewable coverage: A guaranteed renewable policy can be renewed every year with the same benefits. The insurance company cannot cancel your policy. However, the insurance company may increase your premiums over time. 
• Non-cancellable coverage: A non-cancellable policy can only be canceled by your insurance company if you don’t pay your premium. With non-cancellable disability insurance, the insurer cannot increase your premium or reduce your benefits over time.

You can typically receive short-term disability insurance benefits after a waiting period of 14 days after purchasing your policy. Your insurance company will determine the duration of your disability benefits depending on the extent of each individual injury, condition, or illness.

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Why You Might Need Individual Short-Term Disability Insurance

If your employer doesn't offer group short-term disability insurance, you might want to consider purchasing individual coverage. Consider whether losing your income for a few weeks or months due to an injury or illness would otherwise cause a large financial setback. Having an individual short-term disability insurance policy can help you prepare for gaps in income that may lead to serious strain on your finances. 

Common Short-Term Disabilities

Often, individual short-term disability insurance is purchased to cover childbirth. If you work for an employer that doesn't offer group disability coverage or paid maternity leave, having individual short-term disability insurance might be a wise decision. This coverage allows you to receive benefits during your pregnancy and after childbirth, as well as for many common illnesses and injuries.  

Who Sells the Best Individual Short-Term Disability Insurance?

Knowing which carriers offer trustworthy coverage is a great start when you're ready to buy individual short-term disability insurance. That's why we've put together a list of our top recommendations for the best individual short-term disability insurance companies to help you get started.


           

Top Individual Short-Term Disability Insurance Companies	Carrier Star Rating
Lincoln Financial	5 Stars
Prudential	4.5 Stars
Aflac	4 Stars
Assurity	4 Stars
Mutual of Omaha	4 Stars
Northwestern Mutual	3.5 Stars
The Hartford	3.5 Stars
MetLife	3.5 Stars

How Much Does Individual Short-Term Disability Insurance Cost?

The cost of individual short-term disability insurance can vary widely depending on many factors, including your age, income, and coverage. Usually, you pay an average of between 1% and 3% of your total income for individual short-term disability insurance. 

So, if your income is $100,000 per year, you're likely to pay between $1,000 and $3,000 for short-term disability insurance. A local independent insurance agent can help you find affordable individual short-term disability insurance in your area.

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The Benefits of an Independent Insurance Agent

When you're ready to find the right individual short-term disability insurance, no one's better equipped to help than a local independent insurance agent. These agents have access to multiple insurance companies, so they're free to shop and compare policies and rates for you. They'll present you with several quotes representing only the best options. And down the road, your agent can help you file claims and update your coverage when necessary.