When it comes to safeguarding our financial well-being, many Singaporeans already have health insurance plans like Integrated Shield or CareShield Life. However, these plans may not offer comprehensive protection against disability, especially if you’re the sole breadwinner or at risk of losing your job due to partial disability.
In this article, we’ll delve into the importance of disability income insurance and explore the various types of disability coverage available in Singapore.
Types of Disability Insurance:
1) Disability Income Insurance
Disability income insurance is designed to provide financial support if you’re unable to perform the duties of your occupation due to an accident or illness. The coverage is intended to assist you recover financial losses caused by a temporary or permanent inability to fulfill your employment duties. However, it will not totally replace your previous income from the accident or illness.
Some significant aspects of disability income insurance are:
- Pays a certain sum each month to replace lost income if you are unable to work due to illness or an accident. Depending on the coverage you choose, you could receive up to 75% of your monthly wage.
- Benefits are normally paid after the postponed period if you become disabled.
- The monthly income can be paid for up to ten years, or until you are 60 or 65.
- Payment will be suspended or reduced once you are able to resume employment.
- Some insurers offer income top-ups to replace your earnings if you can only work at a reduced capacity due to your handicap.
- Premiums are typically waived during the term of disability.
2) Life or Term Insurance Covering Total & Permanent Disability
Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) coverage is typically provided as part of a life or term insurance policy rather than as a standalone policy. In contrast to disability income coverage, TPD payouts are fairly tight.
It occurs only when the policyholder is discovered to be permanently disabled with no hope of recovery. TPD coverage differs from disability income insurance in that the latter provides monthly payments as long as the individual is unable to do his current job owing to a disability, whether temporary or permanent, until a specified age.
TPD is only paid out in a lump sum and is usually equal to the death benefit payout if the disability is permanent. It is vital to constantly look into the definitions of “disability” with your insurers before you acquire an insurance policy as they could be different across different insurers.
3) Long-term Care Insurance
Long-term care insurance is designed to cover the costs of long-term incapacity caused by a person’s inability to conduct activities of daily living (ADL). Long-term care insurance requires the insured to pay premiums until they reach a particular age or become disabled, at which point they will receive regular reimbursements.
One example of a long-term care insurance is CareShield Life, which was introduced in 2020. The plan covers all Singaporeans born in 1980 or later, with lifetime compensation beginning at $600 per month if the policyholder is severely incapacitated.
Considerations When Buying Disability Income Insurance:
Definition of Disability: Understand how your insurer defines “disability” – whether it’s the inability to perform your own occupation or any suitable job based on your education and experience.
Coverage Period: Determine the duration for which you’ll receive monthly benefits; most plans cover policyholders until age 60 or 65.
Deferment Period: Be aware of the waiting period before receiving payouts; this period typically ranges from 2 months, depending on the insurer.
Payout for Catastrophic Disability: Check if the plan covers severe disabilities where the individual cannot perform any form of work; otherwise, consider TPD or long-term care insurance.
Rehabilitation Benefits: Some insurers offer rehabilitation benefits, covering the cost of medical aids, workplace modifications, or approved treatments.
Should you buy disability income insurance?
It’s a common misconception that people who work in “high-risk” jobs, such construction sites, heavy machinery operations, or “hazardous” environments, are the only ones eligible for disability income insurance. Workers in such occupations may face premium loading because they are thought to be more likely to sustain injuries or accidents.
Aside from these occupations, disability insurance can help those who are sole breadwinners or work in industries that demand specialized skills, such as chefs, dentists, pilots, and divers.
For example, a right-handed pilot who injures his right arm will be unable to do his work of driving an aircraft. This will be classified as a “disability” under disability income insurance. Assuming he is the sole breadwinner, the insurance payout will be a huge aid to get the family through the period of no income till he recovers. His damage is not serious enough to result in a permanent disability, so he cannot file a claim under TPD or CareShield Life.
Making the Right Choice
While disability income insurance, TPD, and long-term care insurance may seem overlapping, each serves specific purposes. Consider your objectives – whether it’s income replacement, long-term disability coverage, or a lump-sum payout for severe disability. Tailor your choice based on your needs to ensure comprehensive coverage.