What Types Of Disability Are Covered Under Long-Term Disability Insurance?
Most long-term disability (LTD) insurance policies provide coverage for any illness or injury that prevents you from performing the essential duties of your occupation and meets the definition of "total disability" in your policy. Although most LTD policies do not exclude specific injuries or illnesses, there will undoubtedly be other types of exclusions that you should familiarize yourself with before purchasing, or opting into, the coverage. Common exclusions found in most standard policies include: any disability resulting from self-inflicted injury or illness, any disability resulting from war or civil riot; any disability period during which you are imprisoned; any disability period for which you are on formal maternity or parental leave, and any disability for which you are not receiving appropriate medical treatment.
For injuries that take place at work, many long-term disability policies may require you to file a claim with the Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB), if it is available through your employer, and wait for a response from them before making a claim to your LTD insurer. It is generally advisable to apply for both types of benefits to ensure that you cover all bases, because if you do not qualify for WSIB benefits, you may qualify for LTD benefits.