Should You Buy Disability Insurance?

by onlinefinancialnewsletters | Jun 24, 2015 | Personal Protection

What would happen if you were permanently injured or became too ill to work? You might qualify for disability payments from Social Security, but would you be able to survive on the average payout ($1,165/month as of April 2015)? Maybe you have some savings, but would they be adequate to cover your living expenses until you’re old enough to collect retirement benefits? If you answered “no” to either of these questions, you should consider buying disability insurance.

Like every other type of insurance, a disability policy is designed to protect something. You buy homeowners insurance to protect your home and the personal property within it. You buy life insurance to protect your family when you eventually pass away. Disability insurance basically protects your income—something that’s especially important during your peak earning years (now defined as age 40 to 55.) Not only do most professionals earn their highest salary during this time, they actively use it to pay down debt and save for retirement.

As most insurers won’t offer disability policies to individuals over the age of 59, now is likely your best time to buy one that will carry you through to full retirement age. As with health and life insurance, the older you are, the more expensive obtaining disability insurance will become. Less than perfect health can make it more difficult, though not impossible. You may still be offered a policy, but it may include exclusions for health issues—such as back problems—for which you’ve regularly sought treatment.

Before you pursue an individual disability insurance policy, check with your employer about group policies. If the company you work for offers one, you may be able to obtain coverage without going through medical underwriting. This can make the process easier and save you money. If your employer does not offer supplemental disability insurance, you’ll want to find a provider who offers guaranteed renewable policies with fixed costs and terms.

In general, experts recommend a disability insurance policy that will replace 60 to 70 percent of your salary. Women are often charged more for the same amount of coverage as men because they are 35 percent more likely to become disabled. Increasing the waiting period on the policy—from 90 days to 180 days, for example—can decrease the price. So can choosing a shorter term. If you and your partner buy policies together, you may also score a discount.

When you apply for a disability insurance policy, the underwriter will look at your health (unless you’re getting insurance through your employer), occupation and finances. You may need to provide tax returns as proof of income. It can be an invasive process, but when you consider the peace of mind disability insurance affords—especially during those peak earning years we mentioned earlier—it’s more than worth any minor hassle. Contact us to discuss the benefits of disability insurance further and explore your options.

Home Window Safety

by onlinefinancialnewsletters | Jun 9, 2015 | Personal Protection

You expect your home to be a safe place for your children—maybe even the safest. However, according to recent data from Safe Kids Worldwide, 2,200 children die each year from injuries sustained in the home. Caregivers take another 3.5 million kids to the ER after home accidents, and almost 2 million of them are treated for fall-related injuries. Some of these deaths and injuries involve falls from windows.

While National Window Safety Week takes place in April each year, anytime is a good time to assess window safety in your home. The National Safety Council offers the following suggestions to help you keep your children safe from life-threatening falls.

Always supervise – Nothing feels better than a fresh spring or summer breeze through open windows. However, if you choose to keep yours open during warm weather months, keep an eye on your children and teach them to play well away from the potential fall hazard.

If you can’t supervise, keep them closed – If you cannot stay with your children, close and lock the windows before leaving the room.

Don’t rely on screens – Most window screens are designed to keep insects out, not children in. They cannot withstand the weight of a child (or a pet) and will not prevent a fall.

Move the furniture – If you have small children, or if little ones are visiting your home, move furniture away from the windows. This will remove their temptation to climb up and potentially fall.

Ventilate in inches – Rather than opening windows wide, crack them a few inches. You’ll still get a breeze while keeping children (and pets) safe from falls. You may also want to consider installing limited-opening hardware on windows within your children’s reach. This hardware will prevent them from opening the window more than a few inches.

Bedroom Windows Save Lives

While falling from a window can lead to injury, it may be necessary for your children to use their bedroom window to exit your home in the event of an emergency—such as a fire. You’ll want to make certain they can safely do so. Consider these additional tips from the National Safety Council.

Test the windows – Make sure bedroom windows open easily and are not sealed shut by paint or swollen shut by weathering. If you cannot open them quickly and easily, replace them.

Buy escape ladders – If you have bedrooms on the second or third floor of your home, equip each one with an emergency escape ladder.

Practice – Teach your children how to open their windows and attach the escape ladder. Practice fire escape routes, both during the day and at night (when most house fires occur).

Download the National Safety Council’s window safety activity book for kids here. And remember: we’re here to help you protect your family. Please don’t hesitate to call with home safety or insurance-related questions.