How much disability insurance do I need? 2025 guide
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Discover the methodologyDisability insurance is a unique coverage that can provide you with an income if you become disabled and can no longer work. By replacing your income, the disability insurance benefit will help you by removing undue financial stress while you focus on getting back on your feet.
However, what most people don’t know is that disability insurance may only replace a certain percentage of your income, and the payout may be limited to a certain amount of months or years. It is therefore vital that you calculate how much disability insurance you need.
This article will help you identify how much disability insurance you may need if a disability affects your ability to earn an income. Also, use our free comparator to explore plans and get free quotes to get exact figures.
How much disability insurance do you need? 4 Key takeaways
- Expenses, financial obligations, and household earnings dictate your disability insurance needs.
- Disability insurance benefits differ greatly between policies.
- The premiums vary but the cost will often range between 1% to 5% of the benefit offered.
- The policy will rarely replace your income 100%.
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The Superior Program by iA Financial Group is a flexible and inclusive disability insurance option offering up to $120,000 in total coverage, available to individuals working as little as 21 hours per week, with no minimum income requirement - a rare feature in this market. It accommodates a broad spectrum of occupations, from class 4A to C, and provides non-taxable monthly benefits, boosting its real value in case of a claim. Notably, it includes access to a vocational rehabilitation program, supporting the return to work after a disability. The policy can be renewed until age 70 and offers four optional riders to tailor protection to individual needs. Its design is particularly welcoming to newcomers to Canada, who often face barriers with more traditional underwriting.
Ideal profile:
Best suited for self-employed professionals, part-time workers, or recent immigrants who may not meet typical income thresholds but still want meaningful protection against income loss due to disability.
- No minimum pre-tax income required
- Non-taxable monthly benefits
- Vocational rehabilitation support included
- Renewability up to age 70
- Strong flexibility with optional riders
- Maximum coverage capped at $120,000
- Limited to occupational classes 4A to C (excludes higher-risk jobs)
- Riders not automatically included—extra cost may apply
Beneva’s Disability Insurance provides accessible coverage up to $72,000, targeting a wide range of professionals in classes 4A to B—without requiring a minimum income or medical questionnaire, making it especially easy to qualify. It can be renewed until age 65 and offers the option to combine with existing group insurance, which can increase overall benefits. A standout feature is its premium refund option, which allows policyholders to recoup some costs if no claim is made. With four optional riders, this plan is adaptable to personal and professional needs while remaining simple and inclusive.
Ideal profile:
Great for freelancers, part-time professionals, or newcomers to the workforce seeking basic, hassle-free protection—especially those looking for insurance without needing to prove income or undergo medical underwriting.
- No income or medical requirements
- Premium refund feature adds long-term value
- Can be combined with group coverage
- Four optional riders for customization
- Coverage limit of $72,000 may be too low for high earners
- Not renewable beyond age 65
- Restricted to lower-risk occupational classes (4A to B)
Canada Life’s Independence Protection Insurance stands out with an impressive maximum coverage of $300,000, making it one of the most robust individual disability insurance products available. Aimed at professional classes 4A to B, it requires a minimum net income of $35,000, balancing accessibility with comprehensive protection. The plan offers up to 120 months of benefits, a partial disability option, and a generous suite of 13 optional riders to tailor coverage. With non-cancellable terms until age 65 and no medical questionnaire required, it delivers strong stability and flexibility—particularly attractive for those with fluctuating employment patterns, like part-time or seasonal workers.
Ideal profile:
Designed for mid- to high-income earners such as self-employed consultants or gig economy professionals who meet the income threshold and want long-term, customizable protection without medical underwriting.
- Very high coverage ceiling ($300,000)
- No medical exam required
- 13 optional riders allow detailed customization
- Partial disability coverage included
- Long benefit period (up to 10 years)
- Requires minimum net income of $35,000
- Only available to occupational classes 4A to B
- Not renewable beyond age 65
What is disability insurance?
Disability insurance, also known as income protection, provides a monthly income to policyholders if they cannot pursue their regular line of work after suffering from a disability. The steady stream of income is great because it provides the insured with the financial ability to support themselves and their families while they get back on their feet.
Disability insurance is usually divided into two main types: short-term disability insurance (STD) and long-term disability insurance (LTD). The former, short-term disability, provides the insured with income for a limited period of up to 6 months, whereas the latter, long-term disability, commonly provides income benefits for up to 2 years but may also provide coverage until the individual reaches retirement age.
Good to know
Read our comprehensive guides on long-term disability insurance and short-term disability insurance to know more. Also, compare plans and get quotes in no time.
It should be noted that the terms and conditions of policies vary widely. For example, some policies may offer coverage for partial disability, while others only provide benefits for total disability. Understanding these intricacies is crucial when determining how much disability insurance one needs.
You can use our free comparator below to explore the best disability insurance plans, compare coverage, and get free personalized quotes in no time. Simply click the button below and get instant quotes right here.
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Good to know
Not all disability insurance is the same. Companies like BMO disability insurance offer a plan to their financial clients that only covers financial obligations to the financial institution, such as mortgage or credit card payments.
Why disability insurance matters
It plays a significant role in ensuring financial stability in the event of unforeseen circumstances. In the absence of this coverage, individuals who become disabled may face considerable financial strain especially if they are the primary breadwinners for their households.
Having this coverage can provide a safety net, ensuring that an individual can maintain their standard of living even if they become unable to work. It can cover essential expenses such as mortgage payments, utility bills, and medical costs, alleviating financial stress during a challenging period.
Unfortunately, knowing that you need this type of coverage doesn’t automatically help you determine how much disability insurance you need.
What are the factors influencing how much disability insurance you need?
Determining how much disability coverage you need depends on several factors. These include your current:
- Income
- Household earnings
- Savings
- Lifestyle
- Financial obligations
- Dependents
It should be noted that your current income is the biggest factor influencing both how much disability insurance you need, and how much you can receive. This is because the amount of money you tend to spend increases with your income level, and disability insurance usually calculates your benefits as a percentage of your income.
For example, if your policy only pays an income benefit of 60% of your current salary, then you have to factor the reduced income into your situation should you become unable to work.
On the other hand, if your lifestyle and ongoing expenses are significantly lower than your current level of income, then you likely won’t need the highest level of disability coverage and can instead reduce premium costs by opting for lesser coverage.
Similarly, the amount of your emergency savings also influences the coverage you need. If you have substantial savings, you may be able to offset some of your lost income by dipping into your savings, allowing you to reduce your disability coverage and save money on premiums.
Of course, if you have limited savings then it may be more prudent to accept the slightly higher premiums to have more substantial coverage.
How do you calculate the right amount of disability insurance?
Once you have identified the factors that influence your unique situation, you can start to calculate the exact amount of disability insurance coverage that you need.
- The first step is to estimate your long-term expenses. Include any mortgage or rent payments, utility bills, food, transportation, health care, and other essential costs. Also, account for future expenses related to any potential children's education and necessary retirement savings.
- Afterward, determine how much income would be lost in the event of a disability. Calculate both your current income and then subtract any benefits that you might have received, such as bonuses, worker’s compensation, or social security.
- Finally, compare your anticipated expenses with your potential income loss. The difference between those two amounts is a good starting point for determining how much coverage you need.
As you can see, the above three steps help you calculate the amount of disability insurance you need before turning your attention to the policies themselves.
Is disability insurance the best choice for you?
In addition to the personal factors influencing your level of coverage, you should also ask the following questions to understand if a policy suits your needs.
- What percentage of my income will the disability policy replace?
- How long will the benefits last?
- What disabilities are covered by the policy?
- Does the policy cover partial disability or only total disability?
- What are the waiting period options before benefits begin?
By understanding the answers to these questions, you can make informed decisions. For example, if a policy will only provide 50% of your current income as a benefit, but your financial obligations require 60% of your income, the policy in question would not be suitable to your needs.
You can find answers to all these questions and more by using our comparison tool below. Explore multiple plans and get free personalized quotes right here.
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How much does disability insurance cost?
Regardless of how much disability insurance you need, the actual amount of coverage you can get will always be dependent on the premiums that you can afford to pay. Understandably, the higher the premium that you can afford to pay, the higher the benefits payable on your policy should you become disabled.
Costs vary between providers, but usually, the premium will range between 1% to 5% of the benefit offered. For example, the CIBC Mortgage Disability Insurance rate for a 30 to 35-year-old is $1.70 per $100 benefit amount, i.e. the premium is 1.7% of the benefit offered.
However, the actual cost of your private insurance may fluctuate from any public insurance rates published as they tend to be affected by other factors, including:
- Benefit term length
- Waiting periods
- Medical history
- Smoking status
- Additional add-ons
Remember, while disability insurance is a phenomenal financial planning tool, it does provide you with an income. Your disability insurance benefit in Canada may therefore be taxed depending on your situation. Make sure you fully understand how disability insurance will affect you before buying any policy!
