Disability Insurance Articles
Types Of Disabilities That Disability Insurance Typically Covers
2010-09-16
When seeking disability insurance quotes, it is important to understand the different disability types that are commonly covered by disability insurance. Insurance companies when administering their policies generally adhere to both federal and state guidelines regarding definitions of disability.
It is essential to comprehend the types of disability insurance available and how it is applicable to conditions and impairments. It is also important to ascertain whether disability insurance quotes preclude work in any occupation or only the job occupied at the time of the disability. Some policies may exclude an individual from working in any other occupation while others will allow the retraining and adoption of a new occupation. A good disability insurance policy provides partial or residual disability as a recovery benefit and a presumptive rider that covers the loss of speech, sight in both eyes, hearing in both ears or the loss of two or more limbs.
Once a policy has been purchased, there are certain criteria that must be met by a person to qualify for filing for benefits. Broadly speaking the major areas of disability types are learning disabilities, mobility disabilities, health impairment, mental disability and hearing impairment and blindness.
Learning disabilities are defined as problems with spatial abilities and processing information. These problems may manifest as difficulties with reading, memory retention or calculation of numbers that may severely limit a person's ability to learn in a specific skill area. These types of disabilities are apparent neurological differences in processing information and cover well-known conditions such as dyslexia, ADHD, and autism.
Under the category of mobility disabilities, the definition includes people who cannot perform activities of daily living such as sitting, standing, bending, stooping, walking, carrying or using their hands or fingers without severe pain. Common disabilities are scoliosis, cerebral palsy, spinal cord damage, polio, amputation and many more.
However, people who have a failure or disorder of the immune system, muscles, lungs, heart, or other anatomical parts are considered disabled under the category of health impairment. People with acute or chronic conditions fall into this category. The category encompasses asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, heart conditions, leukemia, sickle cell anemia and rheumatoid arthritis.
Anyone who cannot lead a normal life due to psychiatric or mental issues is considered disabled under the mental disability provision.
Hearing or sight impairment is classified as the inability to participate in audible or visual media such as lectures, discussions and multimedia presentations. These impairments prevent employment where sight or sound is part of the normal working environment.
Understanding the broad categories of disability types will enable a person to make an informed choice when presented with the facts, benefits, restrictions and exclusionary provisions of disability insurance quotes.