Article
10 Best Disability Insurance Companies in 2025
Protect your income with the best disability insurance of 2025. Compare short-term and long-term coverage from top-rated providers with comprehensive benefit options.
Disability insurance replaces your income if illness or injury prevents you from working. Since 1 in 4 workers will experience a disability before retirement, this coverage is essential for protecting your financial security.
Our team analyzed over 25 disability insurance providers, comparing coverage options, benefit definitions, and customer experiences. Here are the 10 best disability insurance companies for 2025.
Quick Comparison
| Provider | Best For | Max Benefit | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Guardian | Best Overall | Up to $30,000/month | ★4.9/5 |
| 2. Principal | Best for Professionals | Up to $25,000/month | ★4.8/5 |
| 3. MassMutual | Best for High Earners | Up to $35,000/month | ★4.8/5 |
| 4. Ameritas | Best Value | Up to $15,000/month | ★4.7/5 |
| 5. Northwestern Mutual | Best for Financial Planning | Up to $25,000/month | ★4.7/5 |
| 6. The Standard | Best Group Coverage | Up to $20,000/month | ★4.6/5 |
| 7. Mutual of Omaha | Best for Simplified Issue | Up to $10,000/month | ★4.5/5 |
| 8. Lincoln Financial | Best Riders | Up to $20,000/month | ★4.5/5 |
| 9. Unum | Best for Short-Term | Up to $15,000/month | ★4.4/5 |
| 10. Assurity | Best for Self-Employed | Up to $10,000/month | ★4.4/5 |
Our Top Picks in Detail
Guardian
Guardian offers the gold standard in disability coverage with true own-occupation definition, meaning you're covered even if you can work in a different occupation.
Pros
- ✓True own-occupation coverage
- ✓High benefit limits
- ✓Excellent riders available
- ✓Strong financial ratings
- ✓Lifetime benefits option
Cons
- ✗Higher premiums
- ✗Longer application process
- ✗Medical underwriting required
Principal
Principal excels in covering high-income professionals like physicians, dentists, and attorneys with specialized policies and professional association discounts.
Pros
- ✓Strong professional discounts
- ✓True own-occupation
- ✓Excellent customer service
- ✓Flexible benefit options
- ✓Career advancement rider
Cons
- ✗Limited for non-professionals
- ✗Some occupation restrictions
- ✗Complex policy options
MassMutual
MassMutual offers some of the highest benefit limits in the industry with comprehensive coverage options. As a mutual company, policyholders may receive dividends.
Pros
- ✓Highest benefit limits
- ✓Mutual company dividends
- ✓Strong contract provisions
- ✓Lifetime benefits available
- ✓Excellent financial strength
Cons
- ✗Premium pricing
- ✗Detailed medical underwriting
- ✗Agent-only sales
Ameritas
Ameritas offers competitive rates without sacrificing quality coverage. Their unisex pricing and student discounts make coverage more accessible.
Pros
- ✓Competitive pricing
- ✓Unisex rates available
- ✓Good rider options
- ✓Student discounts
- ✓Simplified underwriting options
Cons
- ✗Lower benefit limits
- ✗Less brand recognition
- ✗Limited agent network
Northwestern Mutual
Northwestern Mutual integrates disability coverage into comprehensive financial planning. Their agents provide holistic advice beyond just insurance.
Pros
- ✓Holistic financial planning
- ✓Strong policy guarantees
- ✓Excellent agent network
- ✓Dividend potential
- ✓Long company history
Cons
- ✗Must work with agent
- ✗Higher premiums
- ✗Complex product lineup
The Standard
The Standard is a leader in employer-sponsored disability coverage, offering streamlined enrollment and competitive group rates through workplace programs.
Pros
- ✓Strong employer programs
- ✓Simplified group enrollment
- ✓Competitive group rates
- ✓Portable coverage options
- ✓Rehabilitation benefits
Cons
- ✗Group focus over individual
- ✗Modified occupation definition
- ✗Employer selection varies
Mutual of Omaha
Mutual of Omaha offers simplified issue policies with less medical underwriting, making coverage accessible to those who may not qualify elsewhere.
Pros
- ✓Simplified underwriting
- ✓Fast approval process
- ✓Lower medical requirements
- ✓Affordable premiums
- ✓Easy online application
Cons
- ✗Shorter benefit periods
- ✗Lower maximum benefits
- ✗Modified occupation definition
Lincoln Financial
Lincoln Financial offers exceptional customization through riders including student loan protection, catastrophic benefits, and retirement contribution coverage.
Pros
- ✓Extensive rider options
- ✓Catastrophic benefit rider
- ✓Student loan rider
- ✓Good own-occupation
- ✓Retirement protection rider
Cons
- ✗Complex policy options
- ✗Mid-range pricing
- ✗Agent required
Unum
Unum is a leader in short-term disability coverage, often provided through employers. Their return-to-work programs help you recover and resume working.
Pros
- ✓Strong short-term options
- ✓Fast claim processing
- ✓Wide employer network
- ✓Return-to-work support
- ✓Pregnancy coverage
Cons
- ✗Focus on group over individual
- ✗Modified occupation definition
- ✗Long-term limits apply
Assurity
Assurity understands self-employed income verification challenges, offering flexible documentation requirements that work for freelancers and business owners.
Pros
- ✓Self-employed friendly
- ✓Flexible income verification
- ✓Simplified underwriting
- ✓Affordable premiums
- ✓Online application
Cons
- ✗Lower benefit limits
- ✗Less brand recognition
- ✗Limited agent access
How We Evaluate Disability Insurance
Our evaluation process includes:
Coverage Quality
- Definition of disability (own-occupation vs. any-occupation)
- Benefit amount limits
- Benefit period length
- Residual disability benefits
Policy Features
- Available riders and add-ons
- Non-cancelable guarantees
- Cost-of-living adjustments
- Return-to-work provisions
Financial Strength
- AM Best ratings
- Claims payment history
- Company stability
Frequently Asked Questions
What is disability insurance?
Disability insurance replaces a portion of your income (typically 60-70%) if you become too ill or injured to work. It protects your ability to pay bills and maintain your lifestyle during recovery.
What’s the difference between short-term and long-term disability?
Short-term disability covers weeks to months of disability with shorter waiting periods. Long-term disability provides coverage for years or until retirement age after a longer elimination period.
What is own-occupation coverage?
Own-occupation coverage pays benefits if you can’t perform your specific job, even if you could work in a different occupation. This is especially valuable for specialists like surgeons or pilots.
How much disability insurance do I need?
Most policies replace 60-70% of your income. Calculate your monthly expenses minus any employer coverage or emergency savings to determine your ideal benefit amount.
Is employer-provided disability enough?
Employer coverage typically replaces only 60% of income, may be taxable, and isn’t portable. Individual policies supplement this with additional tax-free benefits you keep if you change jobs.
How long is the elimination period?
The elimination period (30-180 days) is how long you wait after becoming disabled before benefits begin. Longer periods lower premiums but require more savings to bridge the gap.