The Real Cost Of A Disability

The cost of a long term disability is not easily measured. How do you measure the loss of educational opportunities, the cost of shattered lives, altered personalities? How do you measure the cost to society when boys and girls who are potential doctors, lawyers, architects, teachers or scientists are denied the opportunity for training because their fathers became disabled and were unable to finance the necessary education? How do you measure the cost of heartbreak when the family’s treasured possessions must be sold? How do you measure the cost when a dynamic individual has lost all initiative and hope?

The cost of disability can be so high that it can’t be measured, or it can be minimal. The cost can be limited to the amount of dollars required to provide adequate income protection plus the inevitable discomfort and physical pain that accompanies the disease or injury. However it is paid, the cost is inescapable. The cost will be paid in loss of savings, loss of homes, loss of pride, humiliation, shattered plans and shattered lives. Or, it will be paid the easy way, through payment of premiums on a disability income policy.

A sole proprietor will pay the cost as his business and income fade away when he can’t operate the business. A doctor will pay the cost as his practice goes elsewhere. An employer will pay the cost as he continues salary to a key person (and his/her replacement) or to a disabled partner. If death will cause a problem for a business, you can be certain that a long tern disability will also extract a heavy price and additionally it is a devilish emotional problem never satisfactory to any of the partners. In every such case, however, the cost can be minimized through the means of an intelligently devised disability insurance program.

Do the right thing as a professional insurance agent and make sure your client’s income and assets are properly protected. Become involved in helping educate the American wage earners about this necessity. You can receive additional help and knowledge by joining the International DI Society, whose sole focus is on helping our industry professionals understand and prescribe disability insurance.www.internationaldisociety.com