Attorney making an argument in front of the jury

Disability Insurance for Attorneys

Attorneys are excellent prospects for individual disability income insurance. Many attorneys are partners in their own practices, so they are strong candidates for individual disability income as well as the other small business owner disability insurance products.

DI Sales Tips for Attorneys

Law offices that have group LTD plans in place are good prospects for guaranteed standard issue disability insurance for lawyers. The law partners in the firm are earning salaries above the group LTD cap, so guaranteed standard issue is an opportunity to provide additional disability income for lawyers–insuring a higher percentage of their income is protected-with no medical underwriting.

Most attorneys are members of local and state bar associations. By establishing a disability income association discount for these bar associations, producers can provide attorney disability insurance to the association members at highly discounted premiums.

When talking with attorney clients about disability insurance for lawyers, the following small business owner products may also be appropriate:

Business Overhead Expense

Product Overview
This small business disability insurance product will pay the expenses of a client’s small business in the event the owner becomes too sick or injured to work for a period of time and as a result the company suffers a loss of revenue. The policy is designed to keep a small business running for a short time until the owner is back to work. Benefit periods are between 12-24 months.

The policy typically pays for any expenses allowable on the business tax return, including the salary for a temporary employee to replace the disabled owner. Income taxes and cost of inventory are generally not reimbursed under the plan.

Disability Buy/Sell

Product Overview
This small business disability insurance product is designed for small business owners who have partners or several owners. It allows the company to continue to operate if one of the owners becomes too sick or injured to work. The policy provides the cash for the other owner/owners to purchase the disabled owners share of the business. The benefit may be paid out as a lump sum or a monthly payment for as long as five years. Waiting periods can be from 1-2 years.

Key Person DI

Product Overview
This small business disability insurance product provides protection for the business in the event a vital employee becomes too sick or injured to work. The policy will pay a monthly benefit to the business to cover the financial loss of the absent employee or it can pay for a temporary worker while the key employee is out of work. This is a short term Policy, usually 12-24 months.

Multi-life/List Bill

Product Overview
Three or more individual disability income insurance policies placed in a year on individuals working for the same employer obtain a 10% premium discount and gender neutral rates. Gender neutral rates are very valuable to females-it can reduce premium up to 40%.

Target your small business owners. It is a great incentive for females. Encourage your clients to recommend others in their workplace. Once you point out the premium discount, they will be happy to share the names. It’s a win-win for everyone.

Guaranteed Standard Issue

Product Overview
No medical underwriting. Just a census required. Carve outs for executives. Excellent opportunity for employers to cover the LTD gap for the higher paid executives. Voluntary for groups of 15 or more, 30% participation required. Mandatory for groups of 5. Ten percent discount and gender neutral rates apply.

Target professional organizations with large executive population such as architects, attorneys, accountants, engineers, etc….Offer them a way to insure up to 75% of their income.