2 out of 3 American families live paycheck to paycheck; 70% of families can only afford to be without a paycheck for
1 month or less (Source: The Council of Disability Insurers, The Long Term Disability Claims Review: 2005) 
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Disability is the leading cause of personal bankruptcies and causes nearly 50% of all mortgage foreclosures, compared to 2% by death (Source: The Council of Disability Insurers, The Long Term Disability Claims Review: 2005) READ MORE
Disability Insurance News
December 19, 2006 The Growing Appeal of Disability Insurance
Disability insurance is drawing more interest according to a Dec. 19, 2006 article in "The Wall Street Journal."[1] Sales are on the rise because of more-affordable policies, as well as a growing number of employers making disability insurance available for workers to purchase at a discount.
The renewed interest in disability insurance comes as disability rates are rising. Americans are recovering and living longer from accidents and diseases such as cancer, but they aren't always able to go back to their jobs, according to the article.
Cancer was the number one cause of long-term disability last year according to the largest disability insurer, UnumProvident.[2] Other top causes include complications of pregnancy, musculoskeletal diseases, back injuries and heart disease. Studies also suggest that rising rates of obesity and diabetes are leaving workers disabled at younger ages than in the past
Consumer advocates, who are often critical of the insurance industry for pushing unnecessary products, say that a disability policy can be a smart buy.
"Disability insurance would probably be the one insurance product that is undersold," says J. Robert Hunter, insurance director for the Consumer Federation of America.[3]
References
- McQueen, M.P. "The Growing Appeal of Disability Insurance," The Wall Street Journal, Dec. 19, 2006. http://webreprints.djreprints.com/1612481451670.html
- www.unum.com
- www.consumerfed.org