{"id":352990,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:35","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/accident-injury-law\/total-vs-residual-benefits-what-you-need-to-know.html"},"modified":"2024-04-04T13:55:49","modified_gmt":"2024-04-04T18:55:49","slug":"total-vs-residual-benefits-what-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/accident-injury-law\/total-vs-residual-benefits-what-you-need-to-know.html","title":{"rendered":"Total vs. Residual Benefits of Disability Insurance"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Total vs. Residual Benefits of Disability Insurance<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Lark Lewis, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Total disability insurance policies pay benefits if you can’t work at all. Residual or partial disability insurance policies pay benefits if you can work only some of the time.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

If you become disabled for an extended period of time, disability insurance can offer financial protection. It’s important to consider the different types of policies and their costs to select the right coverage for you.<\/p>\n

This article discusses how total disability insurance<\/a> coverage and partial or residual disability insurance coverage differ. It also discusses what to consider when buying a disability insurance policy.<\/p>\n

But if you already have disability insurance and are trying to understand your policy to claim benefits<\/a>, consulting with a lawyer can be helpful. A disability law attorney<\/a> can explain your specific coverage and address a claim denial.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Total Disability Insurance Coverage<\/h2>\n

Total disability<\/a> means you can’t work at all, whether temporarily or for an extended period. But insurance policies can define total disability in different ways. Policies can offer presumptive total disability coverage, “own occupation” coverage, or “any occupation” coverage. We discuss each below.<\/p>\n

Presumptive Total Disability Coverage<\/h3>\n

Most insurance companies presume certain conditions are totally disabling. These conditions typically include:<\/p>\n