Are you going to be able to function at your job and maintain your income if you were to become disabled enough to cease traveling to meet clients? You may be setting yourself up for a nightmare if you become a sales professional who is suddenly unable to sell. The loss of income could be devastating – and something from which your family may never be able to recover. You owe it to yourself and your family to protect your income and future earnings with disability insurance for sales professionals.

Do You Really Need Disability Insurance as a Salesperson?

Many people who find themselves injured or disabled are still able to work in some aspect, most often in a lesser capacity or in a less demanding field. As a sales professional, you likely need to maintain a high level of energy and effort on a daily basis in order to maintain your income. If you weren’t able to perform at that same high level after an illness or injury, what would you do? It’s not worth the risk – most people who become disabled are not facing total and complete disability but instead, are forced to work in a “lesser” career.

This is why you need disability insurance for salespeople – and you’ll want a policy that includes a rider for residual disability income. This just means that even if you are found to be able to perform at a “lesser” job, you’ll still be entitled to benefits because it isn’t the job for which you’ve trained and worked at. The residual benefit ensures payments to you even if you’re able to work in a lesser capacity.

Furthermore, the residual disability income rider will supplement your lost earnings and help bridge the gap between your diminished earning capacity and your previous income level as a sales professional. This type of coverage is particularly relevant for salespeople whose income often depends on their personal performance, energy, and initiative. So, if an illness or injury hampers your ability to sell, a residual disability income rider can alleviate financial pressures, providing a safety net while you navigate through the recovery process or adapt to a new role or industry.

Moreover, disability insurance doesn’t just protect your income, it ultimately safeguards your lifestyle and financial stability. An injury or illness can lead to a sudden halt in earnings, potentially plunging you into debt or forcing you to dip into savings, retirement funds, or even your children’s college funds. As a salesperson, disability insurance is an essential part of your financial planning strategy, allowing you to preserve the quality of life you’ve worked hard to achieve. It allows you to focus on recovery or readjustment without the added worry of how you’re going to meet your financial obligations.

Own-Occupation Disability Insurance Coverage

Should you become partially or totally disabled, your ability to earn commissions and/or salary will be compromised. After putting so much into your career to build a profitable client following, you’ll want to protect your efforts, your education, your assets, and your family with salesperson disability insurance. Be sure to opt for “own occupation” disability insurance. This will pay you benefits even if you are able to work in a different career than the one for which you have trained. If you don’t get this option, you will be denied benefits if you work in another occupation. Own occupation insurance will pay out if you cannot work in your own occupation, even if you choose to work in another occupation.

To put it into perspective, imagine a scenario where a serious health condition prevents you from carrying out your usual sales duties. However, you manage to find work in another field, perhaps one that is less physically or mentally demanding. Without “own occupation” disability insurance, you’d find yourself without any benefits because you’re technically employed. However, your new job might not provide the same level of income you’re accustomed to as a successful sales professional. With “own occupation” insurance, you’re covered in this situation – you will continue to receive benefits because you’re unable to perform your original occupation, despite being able to work in another.

The Recovery Rider

People often fail to consider what will happen once they are able to resume their normal work activities in their field if they are able to. After considerable time away from your career, you most likely will need some time to rebuild your list of potential clients. Your commissions and income will probably still be less-than-average during this time – and if you have a recovery rider on your policy, you’ll be able to receive residual benefits paid to you even after you resume working for a time.

Indeed, the recovery rider is designed to help you during this transition phase, which is often overlooked in traditional disability insurance plans. It takes into account the unique nature of a sales career, where earnings are not only based on the hours worked but also on the strength of client relationships and the momentum built over time. It might take months or even longer to reconnect with old clients, develop new leads, and rebuild your sales pipeline to where it was before your disability. During this period, the recovery rider ensures that you continue to receive supplemental income, thereby lessening the financial strain as you work towards getting your career back on track.

Furthermore, having a recovery rider could also offer mental and emotional support. A significant aspect of recovery is the stress related to returning to work and the uncertainty of income during the rebuilding phase. The assurance of a continued income stream even after resuming work can alleviate some of these pressures, allowing you to focus more on your health and less on financial concerns. Ultimately, it grants you the flexibility to recover at your own pace and return to work when you’re truly ready, without the added burden of immediate financial needs. In essence, a recovery rider completes your financial safety net, providing comprehensive protection for every stage of a disability scenario.

Choosing Disability Insurance for Sales Professionals

There is no way to predict what the future will bring, which is precisely why you owe it to yourself and your family to protect the income you work so hard to maintain. Be sure that you obtain quotes from various insurance companies that include the options and riders you need. The protection you gain from this policy will prove to be invaluable should you become disabled.

To get a free, no-obligation quote for disability insurance, submit the quote form below or call us at 866-868-0099 during normal working hours.