Metlife launches customized disability insurance

NEW YORK–MetLife this month launched a disability insurance specifically designed to enable the insured to customize their coverage for specific needs.

MetLife Income Guard^SM Disability Insurance offers a more personalized level of protection with features that meet the unique demands of specialized occupations, including most medical and dental professionals, pharmacists, attorneys, accountants and white collar executives.

“MetLife Income Guard provides agents with the ability to offer clients a customized approach when planning for individual disability insurance needs,” says Kieran Mullins, vice president of Retail Life and Disability products for MetLife. “To complement the base product, there are a number of riders available to meet specialized needs.”

A group disability insurance plan through the workplace may have numerous restrictions and only cover 40 to 60 percent of a person’s wages. For many people, disability insurance through the workplace may not be enough, particularly if they work in certain specialized occupations.

“Disability insurance can be used to help pay bills such as a mortgage, tuition, car payments and help cover expenses for food, clothing and utilities” explains Mullins. “It also helps individuals avoid tapping into savings and jeopardizing the financial goals that they’ve established.”

In addition to some of the industry’s highest coverage limits and competitive pricing, MetLife Income Guard offers “enhanced protection” for individuals who have spent many years learning and practicing a chosen medical or dental specialty.

Physicians and Dentists “Specialty your Occupation” coverage addresses the consequences of not being able to perform the material and substantial duties of a chosen specialty at the time of claim (even if the professional is still able to work in a different occupation.)

For example, if a physician employed as a neurosurgeon were to become disabled and be unable to perform the duties of his or her occupation at the time of claim, MetLife Income Guard could still provide that individual with the disability benefit, even if he or she eventually were able to start a successful new career.

For additional information about MetLife Income Guard individual disability insurance, visit www.metlife.com/incomeguard.