Group Disability Plans
Group disability insurance is a great way to provide affordable income protection for your team—but only if it’s set up correctly. Many brokers default to bundling short-term and long-term disability coverage with the same carrier, thinking it's easier. But easier isn’t always smarter.
Here’s what most brokers won’t tell you:
- Most group short-term disability (STD) plans offset your benefits if you get paid from other sources. The short-term plans we build do not offset—so employees actually get paid what they expect.
- When you don’t bundle short-term and long-term with the same carrier, you often qualify for a 20% discount on the long-term premium. That’s real savings, every month.
- While other brokers are trying to avoid “an extra form at claim time,” we’re helping employees get paid more and keeping your rates lower and more stable.
Individual disability plans are still the gold standard, offering stronger definitions and more generous payouts—but we understand budgets. That’s why we often recommend combining individual short-term with group long-term for a best-of-both-worlds approach. If the budget is tight, a smartly designed group-only plan is still better than doing nothing—just don’t let it be a cookie-cutter setup.
You’ve got options, and we’ll help you sort through them. We won’t just grab group rates off the shelf and call it a day. If cost were the only factor, you’d be commuting on a skateboard.
Their Strategy vs. Ours
| Feature | Typical Broker Setup | InsurancePickle.com Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier Selection | Bundles short-term and long-term with the same carrier | Separates carriers to unlock discounts and flexibility |
| Short-Term Disability Benefits | Offsets benefits if paid from other sources | No offset – employees get full payout |
| Long-Term Disability Cost | Standard pricing | Up to 20% monthly discount by separating carriers |
| Claim Process | Fewer forms, but lower payout | Slightly more paperwork – but higher benefits |
| Plan Stability | Bundled pricing – subject to higher volatility | Smarter structure – more stable, long-term rates |
| Overall Value | Quick and convenient setup | Maximized benefits and smarter savings |
Want to see how your current disability setup stacks up? Check out our Bill Audit program or reach out today. We’ll help you design a smarter, more protective plan—for you and your team.