Disability Income Insurance for Law Enforcement

As a law enforcement officer, your work comes with unique risks—on duty and off. Whether you’re a patrol officer, detective, SWAT member, K9 handler or corrections officer, disability can strike unexpectedly. That’s why tailored Disability Income Insurance for Law Enforcement is essential—to protect your income, your family and your future.

At Diversified Insurance Brokers, we understand the hazards of public safety work: long hours, physical demands, trauma exposure and off-duty risks. We help law enforcement professionals secure income protection that fits your occupation, income level and lifestyle.

Why Law Enforcement Officers Need Specialized DI Coverage

• Physical demands: Pursuits, restraints, equipment handling and impact risk raise injury likelihood.
• Traumatic exposure: Incidents of violence, accidents and critical events create mental health and PTSD risks.
• Off-duty risk: Many officers supplement income via off-duty security or moonlighting; standard group plans may exclude off-duty or hazard tasks.
• Group plan gaps: Standard employer LTD plans may cap benefits, apply “any-occupation” definitions or exclude certain hazards, placing your income at risk.

Key Features to Seek in Law Enforcement DI Coverage

• Own-Occupation Definition: Benefits if you cannot perform your law enforcement duties—even if you could work elsewhere.
• Hazardous Occupation Rider: Recognizes your elevated risk and ensures benefit eligibility includes duty-related events.
• Residual/Partial Disability Rider: Covers you if you can return in limited capacity or fewer hours.
• Off-Duty/Moonlighting Income Inclusion: Make sure overtime, special duty and off-duty pay are included in your income base.
• Mental/Trauma Rider: Coverage for disability due to PTSD, trauma or depression—often critical in public safety roles.

Example Scenario

Officer Smith earns $85,000/year including overtime and special duty. A traffic pursuit results in a back injury, preventing him from frontline patrol duties.

• Employer group LTD: $5,000/month, benefits taxable.
• Individual DI policy: $4,000/month, benefits tax-free (premium paid personally).
• Total replacement: ~$9,000/month — close to his income and protects family and savings.

How to Choose and Apply for Law Enforcement DI

1. Review existing group LTD or pension benefits; identify gaps.
2. Calculate replacement target—aim for ~60-70% of after-tax income including special duty/OT.
3. Work with an advisor who knows public safety underwriting to select carriers with favorable law enforcement classes and own-occ definitions.
4. Consider elimination period (30/60/90 days), benefit period (to age 65 or retirement), and riders for trauma & residual benefits.
5. Ensure off-duty, moonlighting and special duty income are included; verify hazardous duty coverage is explicit.

Tax Treatment

If you pay premiums personally, your benefits are typically tax-free. If your department pays premiums, your benefits may be taxable—so structuring your coverage with after-tax income in mind is key.

Integration with Related Policies

Law enforcement professionals should view DI as part of a broader financial protection plan. Consider integrating with:

• No Exam Disability Insurance for simpler underwriting.
• High Income Disability Insurance if you earn substantial special duty, detail pay or leadership compensation.
• Guaranteed Issue Disability Insurance in departments offering group carve-outs or supplemental plans.

Why Work with Diversified Insurance Brokers

We’re a fiduciary, family-owned agency licensed in all 50 states, with decades of experience helping public safety professionals. We’ll compare top carriers, navigate law enforcement underwriting, and help you build a plan that fits your mission and your income—so you serve your community without compromising your financial security.

Related Pages

• No Exam Disability Insurance</