Disability insurance in Florida

What disability insurance covers in Florida

Disability insurance replaces your income if illness or injury prevents you from working. Unlike Washington (which has a state Paid Family & Medical Leave program), Florida has no state disability or paid-family-leave program. This means private disability insurance is your primary safety net for income protection when you cannot work.

Florida's lack of a state disability program

Florida does not mandate or fund a state disability insurance program. Workers cannot rely on a government benefit to replace lost income during illness or injury. This makes private short-term and long-term disability insurance essential for Florida employees, self-employed professionals, and business owners who depend on continued income for mortgages, debt, and living expenses.

Short-term and long-term disability insurance

• Short-term disability. typically replaces 60–70% of income for 3, 6, or 12 months; covers the early period when you first become disabled
• Long-term disability. covers longer periods (often 2 years to retirement age); typically replaces 50–70% of income up to a monthly maximum
• Elimination period. the waiting period before benefits start (common choices: 0, 7, 14, or 30 days for short-term; 90 days for long-term); shorter elimination = higher premium
• Own-occupation definition. coverage if you cannot perform your own job, even if you could work elsewhere; common for professionals; any-occupation is less protective

Who needs disability insurance in Florida

• Salaried and hourly workers not covered by employer disability plans
• Self-employed professionals, contractors, and small business owners
• High earners for whom even 70% replacement is significant
• Anyone with a mortgage, loans, or dependents relying on steady income

Typical coverage structures in Florida

Many Florida workers combine short-term (3–6 months) with long-term (to retirement) coverage, creating a continuous safety net. A typical setup might replace 70% of income for the first 6 months (short-term), then 60% for years 2–10 (long-term). The exact percentages and elimination periods depend on your industry, employer, and personal needs.

How to buy disability insurance in Florida through Maru

Since Florida workers cannot rely on a state program, private disability insurance is critical. Maru helps you size your coverage (how many months of short-term, which long-term benefit period), choose elimination periods to balance premium and protection, and select own-occupation coverage if you're a professional. We compare rates across carriers and explain how your policy works if you claim.

Frequently asked questions

Vadim — Maru Insurance
Licensed independent insurance agent · WA & FL
Written and reviewed by a licensed Maru advisor. Maru Insurance is an independent agency (WA License WAOIC #1365574, FL License #G363233) representing multiple A-rated carriers across Washington and Florida.