Part of our guide: Disability Income Insurance: Solutions, Tools and Guides →
Short-term and long-term disability insurance both replace income when a client can’t work because of illness or injury. The difference is how quickly they start and how long they pay, and most clients benefit from understanding both.
Key takeaways
- Short-term disability typically starts after 7 to 30 days and pays for up to two years.
- Long-term disability usually starts after 90 to 180 days and can pay for two years, five years, or to age 65 or 70.
- Accident-only short-term plans are an affordable option for workers most worried about injuries.
Short-term DI covers the first weeks and months. Long-term DI protects against the disability that keeps a client out of work for years.
Short-term disability
Short-term policies pay after a short elimination period, often 7 to 30 days, and for a limited period up to two years. They’re useful for significant but temporary disabilities, such as recovery from an accident or surgery. Clients often combine them with emergency savings, paid leave, and workers’ compensation.
An accident-only short-term plan is even more affordable and popular with younger and blue-collar workers who are more concerned about injury than illness. See short-term protection for active clients.
Long-term disability
Long-term policies have longer elimination periods, commonly 90 to 180 days, and benefit periods from two years up to age 65 or 70. They protect against disabilities that could otherwise lead to foreclosure, debt default, or depleted retirement savings. Riders can tailor coverage, including cost-of-living adjustments, partial or residual disability benefits, and future increase options.
Using them together
Short-term coverage (or savings) can bridge the elimination period of a long-term policy, allowing a longer, less expensive elimination period on the long-term side.
Questions to ask clients
- How long could you meet monthly expenses if you couldn’t work?
- How much savings could you use?
- Does your employer offer disability coverage, and what does it pay?
- What’s your occupation and reported income?
Send us the answers for a side-by-side quote. Availability varies by state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between short-term and long-term disability?
Short-term starts quickly and pays for up to two years; long-term starts after a longer wait and can pay for many years, often to age 65 or 70.
Do I need both short-term and long-term disability insurance?
Many people use savings or short-term coverage to bridge the long-term policy’s elimination period. The right mix depends on savings and employer benefits.
What is accident-only disability insurance?
A short-term plan that pays only for disabilities caused by accidents, not illness, at a lower premium.
Reviewed by Tim Fuller on 2026-09-25
Tim Fuller
President, SRS Inc.
Tim leads SRS Inc., a full-service IMO (Independent Marketing Organization) and BGA (Brokerage General Agency), connecting independent financial professionals with life, annuity, disability income, and long-term care solutions from 60+ carrier partners.
Connect on LinkedIn →We’re Here to Help
Have a question about what you just read, or a case you’re working on? Tell us a bit about what you need, and a member of the SRS team will follow up with you personally — no obligation, no hassle.
