A waiting period exists within an individual disability income insurance policy. This specified duration of time, following a qualifying disability, must elapse before benefit payments commence. For example, if an individual becomes disabled and the policy stipulates a 90-day duration, income replacement begins on day 91, assuming all other policy requirements are met.
This provision significantly impacts premiums. A longer duration translates to a lower premium due to the reduced likelihood of the insurance company paying out benefits for short-term disabilities. Conversely, a shorter duration results in a higher premium. The choice of duration should align with the individual’s financial resources and capacity to cover expenses during the initial period of disability.