| Any of us can suffer an accident at any time: at | | | | through workers compensation coverage. |
| home, in the car, playing sports, or on the job. None of | | | | Women planning a pregnancy have three great |
| us are immune. Working women planning a pregnancy | | | | reasons to consider purchasing accidental disability |
| have a unique reason to protect their income in case | | | | insurance coverage before getting pregnant: they may |
| of accidents: their maternity leave benefit will pay for | | | | be working in a physical occupation, their pregnancy |
| the policy. | | | | may make them more prone to accidents, and the |
| Many people think only about serious accidents that | | | | maternity leave benefits inherent in the policy makes |
| lead to disability - like Christopher Reaves falling from a | | | | the entire package extremely attractive. |
| horse. In reality most disabling injuries are quite | | | | Many women work in active or physical occupations: |
| commonplace, occurring right at home. Why is this the | | | | food servers, retail workers, nursing, etc. Women who |
| case? Because we spend most of our time at home. | | | | work in these occupations are more prone to miss |
| Logically then most accidents happen there: falling | | | | time from work due to accidents. A badly sprained |
| down the stairs, slipping on wet tile in the bathroom, | | | | ankle may not disable an office worker, but could |
| cuts and burns in the kitchen, etc. But we also drive to | | | | sideline a food server for weeks. Anyone who works |
| work and for pleasure. And auto accidents, although | | | | on her feet understands the value of healthy feet, |
| less common, often lead to more serious injuries. Many | | | | ankles, and legs. |
| of us enjoy sports, and the weekend warrior in us can | | | | During pregnancy your body undergoes significant |
| lead other disabling injuries. Finally, some occupations | | | | change. Some of these changes may cause you to |
| are quite physical in nature, and accident can a do | | | | be more injury prone. Your balance is a little different. |
| happen while on the job. | | | | Your back is under constant strain. A minor slip that |
| If you encounter an accident that causes you to miss | | | | might otherwise be insignificant, could cause a more |
| work, you could left without a paycheck. You may | | | | serious condition during your pregnancy. |
| have borrowed money to buy your house, your car, | | | | Your maternity leave income may allow you to get |
| and a variety of other purchases. You may be | | | | accidental disability coverage at no additional cost. |
| planning to pay these loans back with your future | | | | Your short term disability policy covers your normal |
| income. Or you may just be planning to meet your | | | | maternity leave. It pays a six week benefit for vaginal |
| daily living expenses with your future pay. | | | | delivery, and an eight week benefit for a c-section |
| Think about what may happen if you become injured, | | | | delivery. Your maternity leave benefit for normal |
| and lose your paycheck. Will you be able to pay off | | | | delivery may greatly exceed the premium you pay, |
| your loans? Will you be able to meet your daily living | | | | helping you generate weeks of maternity leave pay. |
| expenses? | | | | The very same policy that generates maternity leave |
| Short term disability insurance is a great way to | | | | income, also protects your income in case of disabling |
| protect your income in case of accidents. It replaces | | | | accidents. You pay a small premium, you get a large |
| up to two thirds of your income in case an accident | | | | benefit for your maternity leave, and you enjoy income |
| causes you to miss work. Many policies may also pay | | | | protection for accidents - at no additional cost. Just |
| a smaller benefit for on the job accidents, to | | | | make sure your coverage begins before getting |
| supplement the disability protection you already have | | | | pregnant! |