LLIS doesn’t recommend a lot of riders with the policies we help your clients get, but here are some DI riders we do recommend, based on the individual’s needs and wishes.

COLA

When a client has been on claim for at least a year, their monthly benefit will increase each policy anniversary date to offset inflationary effects.

Client Example:

Catastrophic (CAT)

This rider covers your client in the worst-case scenario: Becoming catastrophically disabled. The odds of going back to work are low, so an additional monthly benefit is paid that will provide your client’s pre-disability earnings at 100%, compared to 60% of traditional disability coverage.

Client Example:

Own Occupation

This rider allows your client to collect full benefits from the disability policy plus any income in a new occupation. Without this rider, any monies made from the new occupation would offset the base monthly benefit.

Client Example:

A pediatrician can no longer work as a physician, however can teach medicine.

Residual/Partial

Without this rider, your client must be fully disabled to receive benefits. With it, your client can be partially disabled -- working part-time -- and still receive benefits. Often, a client doesn’t return full time immediately following a disability. When easing back into work after an illness or injury, this rider will supplement lost income from the hours a client is unable to work, providing benefits starting at 15-20% of lost income.

Client Example:

Your pediatrician client goes on a ski trip and takes a fall on the slopes, hurts a shoulder, and can only work part-time, earning just 50% of pre-disability salary.

Kathy Bilodeau is a rider expert. Disability insurance and Harleys.