Use Maternity Benefits to Pay Your Short Term Disability Insurance Premiums

Accidents and illnesses account for 80% of short termreplace your income should you become seriously ill.
disability claims. Sicknesses like cancer, heart disease,But there is more. During your pregnancy, you may be
diabetes make up 60% of that total. Should youmore susceptible to a variety of illnesses. When you
become seriously ill, short term disability insurance willhear or read health warnings they typically state that
replace up to 2/3 of your income for as long as twoyoung children, the elderly, and pregnant women should
years. You rely on your income to pay your mortgage,be most careful. In addition, illnesses such as
car payments, etc. Wouldn't it make sense to insurepregnancy diabetes and other pregnancy related
your most important asset?conditions may manifest themselves. Your short term
Many people shy away from this important incomedisability policy will pay benefits for covered
protection because of cost - thinking they won'tsicknesses, and pregnancy related illnesses.
become sick. Your budget may already be stretched,Your short term disability policy can also help protect
with little left over before the next pay day arrives.your health during your pregnancy. You may feel
You may be thinking you can't afford an additionalpressure to continue working to help make ends meet.
$150 per month for insurance you may never use. ButSome women continue working when their doctor
if you can't afford this smaller amount, what willsays no, or return to work too soon - because bills
happen when your entire paycheck disappears?need to be paid. Having your income replaced during
But women who are planning a pregnancy have athis time takes much of the pressure away. You won't
unique opportunity: pregnancy is a covered sickness.feel the need to "work just a few more days", or
Your benefit for normal delivery may greatly exceedreturn to work before feeling 100%.
the premium paid over time, providing importantBut there is still more. What if your pregnancy
coverage for other sicknesses at no additional cost.experiences complications? Your short term disability
Short term disability insurance replaces a portion ofinsurance will cover pregnancy complications that
your income for six weeks for a vaginal delivery, andrequire you to miss work for medical reasons. Simple
eight weeks for a c-section delivery, less thebed rest does not qualify, unless there is a medical
elimination period. Your premium rates will depend uponreason, verified by your doctor.
the industry of your employer, and the policyAll of the above make short term disability insurance
configuration that you choose: elimination period, andone of the smartest moves a woman can make
benefit period.before she gets pregnant. Pregnancy is a pre-existing
Your benefit for normal delivery may be twenty fourcondition. Once you are already pregnant, it will be too
to forty eight times what you might pay in monthlylate to use your maternity benefits to pay for your
premiums. Congratulations, you just paid for two toinsurance premiums.
four years of important disability coverage that will