Disability Insurance Underwriting and the Impact of Unearned Income

When underwriting disability insurance, it is important to consider not only an applicant’s earned income (i.e., salary or business profits) but also his/her unearned income. Underwriters must take into consideration unearned income such as interest, dividends, alimony and rental or pension income that would continue to be received even if the insured stopped working. Consequently applicants with significant unearned income have a diminished need for disability coverage because the unearned income serves much like a disability policy benefit.

Most carriers feel that a small amount of unearned income is not a