Disability Insurance

The Elimination Period Is the Most Misunderstood Part of Disability Insurance

The elimination period determines how long you wait before benefits start. Choose wrong and you could face months without income. Here is how to choose the right one.

🇺🇸 Patriot Plans Editorial Team·7 min read·February 10, 2026

The elimination period is the disability insurance equivalent of a deductible — except instead of money, you are paying with time. It is the waiting period between when you become disabled and when benefits start. Most people choose the 90-day option without understanding the implications.

Common Elimination Period Options

Most disability insurance policies offer elimination periods of 30, 60, 90, 180, or 365 days. The 90-day elimination period is the most common because it balances premium cost with financial risk. Shorter elimination periods cost more in premium. Longer elimination periods cost less but require more savings to bridge the gap.

How to Choose the Right Elimination Period

The right elimination period depends on your emergency fund. If you have 3 months of expenses saved, a 90-day elimination period is appropriate. If you have 6 months saved, a 180-day period can save significant premium. If you have less than 3 months saved, consider a 30 or 60-day period.

Short-Term vs Long-Term Disability

Short-term disability insurance typically has a 0-14 day elimination period and pays benefits for 3-6 months. Long-term disability insurance typically has a 90-day elimination period and pays benefits to age 65. Many people use short-term disability to bridge the long-term disability elimination period.

The Cost Difference

A 30-day elimination period typically costs 20-30% more than a 90-day period. A 180-day period typically costs 15-20% less than a 90-day period. The premium savings from a longer elimination period must be weighed against the financial risk of going without income for that period.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does the elimination period reset if I become disabled again?

It depends on the policy. Most policies have a recurrent disability provision that waives the elimination period if you become disabled again within 6 months of returning to work from the same or related cause.

Can I change my elimination period after I buy the policy?

Generally, no. The elimination period is set at issue and cannot be changed. Choose carefully when you first buy the policy.

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