7 Best Disability Insurance for Self Employed [2025 Guide]

As a self-employed professional, you are your own greatest asset. Your ability to work directly generates your income, a reality that offers incredible freedom but also carries significant risk. Unlike traditional employees who often have access to employer-sponsored benefits, you are solely responsible for creating your own safety net. If an unexpected illness or injury prevents you from working, your income could stop instantly, but your financial obligations-mortgage, bills, and family expenses-will not. This is precisely the gap that disability insurance is designed to fill.

Finding the best disability insurance for self employed individuals means navigating a market with unique challenges and policy riders tailored specifically for business owners and freelancers. It's not just about replacing a paycheck; it's about protecting your business, your family's future, and your personal financial stability. Securing your financial future as a self-employed individual often involves exploring various support systems and tools, including resources designed to assist creators and, most critically, a robust insurance plan.

This guide eliminates the guesswork by providing a comprehensive roundup of the top disability insurance providers for people like you. We will dive deep into the offerings from carriers like Family Protection | America First Financial, Guardian, and Principal, as well as modern platforms like Policygenius and Breeze. Each review includes a detailed breakdown of key features, potential costs, and who the plan is best suited for. With direct links and clear comparisons, you'll have the actionable information needed to choose a policy that acts as a true bodyguard for your hard-earned income.

1. Family Protection | America First Financial

Best for Guided Policy Customization

America First Financial distinguishes itself by blending accessible, affordable disability insurance with personalized, expert guidance. For self-employed professionals navigating the complexities of income protection, this platform offers a robust framework designed to create tailored policies that align with individual needs and financial goals. The company emphasizes a hands-on, consultative approach, making it an excellent choice for entrepreneurs who value expert advice and a policy built specifically for their unique circumstances.

Their Family Protection program is structured to serve both as a primary policy for the self-employed and as a supplemental plan for those with existing group coverage. This flexibility is a significant advantage, allowing business owners to secure comprehensive protection that group plans often lack, such as portable coverage and more favorable definitions of disability. The core of their service is the direct access to knowledgeable agents who demystify the insurance process.

Why It Stands Out for the Self-Employed

For freelancers, contractors, and small business owners, finding the best disability insurance for self employed individuals means securing a policy that understands their income variability and specific risks. America First Financial excels by moving beyond a one-size-fits-all model. Their agents are trained to dissect the nuances of policy language, explain the long-term impact of different riders, and help you structure coverage that truly protects your most valuable asset: your ability to earn an income.

This consultative process ensures you aren't just buying a product but are making an informed financial decision. The platform’s quick online quote system is a streamlined entry point, providing a customized plan outline in minutes. However, the real value emerges in the subsequent consultation, where an agent helps refine the quote into a policy that perfectly matches your professional and personal life.

Key Features and Practical Benefits

• Tailored Policy Structuring: Agents work with you to understand your specific occupation, income streams, and financial obligations. This allows for the selection of appropriate riders, such as a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) or a Future Increase Option, ensuring your policy remains relevant as your business grows.

• Expert Agent Access: Unlike purely digital platforms, you gain access to a human expert who can answer complex questions. For example, they can clarify the differences between "own-occupation" and "any-occupation" definitions of disability, a critical distinction for specialized professionals.

• Streamlined Quoting Process: The website allows users to get a preliminary, customized quote in under three minutes. This provides a clear and immediate starting point for budgeting and planning before you even speak to an agent.

• Values-Driven Approach: The company operates with a focus on traditional family values and is committed to supporting philanthropic causes. This mission-driven focus may resonate strongly with self-employed individuals who prioritize partnering with businesses that share their principles.

Potential Drawbacks to Consider

The primary consideration is the company's explicit focus on traditional and conservative values, which may not appeal to every consumer. Additionally, while the initial online quote is fast, detailed pricing and specific policy provisions require direct consultation with an agent. This multi-step process may be less appealing for those who prefer a fully autonomous, digital-only experience.

Ultimately, America First Financial's Family Protection platform is an exceptional choice for self-employed individuals who want more than just an off-the-shelf policy. It offers a powerful combination of modern technology and traditional, expert-led service, ensuring you build a disability insurance plan that provides true peace of mind.

[Visit Family Protection | America First Financial](https://www.americafirstfinancial.org/family-protection)

2. Policygenius

For the self-employed professional, time is money. Sifting through dozens of insurance carrier websites to find the best disability insurance can feel like a second job. This is where Policygenius excels, acting as a streamlined digital marketplace that consolidates quotes from multiple top-rated insurers into one convenient place. Instead of repeating your information on various sites, you complete one form and receive side-by-side comparisons, saving you valuable time and effort.

This platform is particularly useful for those who value both independent research and expert guidance. The user-friendly interface allows you to explore options at your own pace, while their team of licensed, non-commissioned agents provides a crucial human touch. This balanced approach ensures you can make a well-informed decision without feeling pressured.

Key Features and User Experience

Policygenius demystifies the complex world of disability insurance. It’s an ideal resource for finding the best disability insurance for self employed individuals who need to understand the fine print before committing. The platform is designed to educate as much as it is to sell.

• Quote Comparison Engine: Get multiple quotes from leading carriers like Guardian, Principal, and Ameritas after a single online questionnaire. This makes it easy to compare costs and benefits directly.

• Educational Resources: Their website features a comprehensive hub with articles, guides, and calculators. You can learn the critical differences between "own-occupation" and "any-occupation" policies and understand essential riders like the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA).

• Human Agent Support: Once you submit your information, a licensed agent will review your options with you. They can help you customize a policy, answer nuanced questions, and advocate for you during the underwriting process, which often involves income verification and sometimes a medical exam.

• Pricing Transparency: Policygenius clearly states that long-term disability insurance typically costs 1% to 3% of your annual pre-tax income. This upfront honesty helps you set realistic budget expectations from the start.

Pros and Cons

Policygenius stands out by combining modern technology with traditional, personalized service. It’s an excellent starting point for any self-employed person who wants to secure their financial future efficiently and confidently.

Learn more at: [https://www.policygenius.com/disability-insurance/](https://www.policygenius.com/disability-insurance/)

3. Breeze

For the self-employed entrepreneur who prioritizes speed and simplicity, Breeze offers a refreshingly modern approach to securing disability insurance. This platform is designed from the ground up to be a fully digital, low-friction experience, eliminating the lengthy paperwork and phone calls often associated with traditional insurance applications. If the idea of a fast, online process appeals to you more than navigating a complex marketplace, Breeze is an exceptional choice.

Breeze’s primary advantage is its streamlined application, which can often be completed in about 10 minutes. By focusing exclusively on policies underwritten by the A-rated (Excellent) carrier Assurity Life, it provides a direct path to a quality product without the overwhelming number of options found elsewhere. This makes it an ideal solution for busy professionals who want to get coverage in place quickly and efficiently.

Key Features and User Experience

Breeze cuts through the complexity to deliver one of the best disability insurance for self employed experiences for the tech-savvy individual. The platform’s core mission is to make buying income protection as easy as possible, with a clean interface and a clear, guided process.

• Instant Online Quotes: Enter basic information about your profession, income, and health to receive an immediate quote. You can adjust coverage amounts and riders on the spot to see how they impact your premium.

• Accelerated Underwriting: Depending on your age and health profile, you may qualify for an entirely digital underwriting process. This means some applicants can get approved for coverage without a medical exam or lengthy delays.

• Backed by a Reputable Carrier: All policies are issued by Assurity Life, a company with a long history of financial stability and a strong claims-paying record. This provides peace of mind that your coverage is secure.

• Digital Application Tracking: Once you submit your application, you can track its status online through a user-friendly dashboard, keeping you informed every step of the way.

Pros and Cons

Breeze is a standout option for self-employed individuals who value a quick, straightforward, and entirely digital insurance buying process. It successfully removes many of the traditional barriers to getting crucial income protection.

Learn more at: [https://www.meetbreeze.com/disability-insurance/](https://www.meetbreeze.com/disability-insurance/)

4. Guardian

For highly specialized self-employed professionals like surgeons, attorneys, or architects, a generic disability policy simply won’t cut it. Guardian, a leading U.S. insurer backed by Berkshire Life, rises to this challenge by offering robust, highly customizable disability insurance products. They are renowned for their strong "true own-occupation" definitions, which are critical for protecting the income of those whose earning potential is tied to a specific set of skills.

Guardian focuses on in-depth, tailored coverage rather than a quick online purchase. Their model connects you with a licensed financial professional who can walk you through the nuances of policy design. This makes it an excellent choice for self-employed individuals who prefer a consultative approach to secure comprehensive, long-term financial protection.

Key Features and User Experience

Guardian's approach is less about a DIY platform and more about expert-guided policy construction. This makes it one of the best disability insurance for self employed professionals who need their policy to account for the unique demands of their career. The process is thorough, ensuring your coverage aligns perfectly with your financial needs.

• True Own-Occupation Definitions: Guardian offers policies that can pay benefits if you are unable to perform the material duties of your specific occupation, even if you can work in another field. This is a crucial feature for high-earning specialists.

• Customizable Riders: You can enhance your base policy with numerous riders, including a future increase option (allowing you to buy more coverage later without new medical underwriting), a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to protect against inflation, and partial disability benefits.

• Multiple Benefit Periods: Tailor your policy's benefit duration to your needs, with common options extending to age 65 or 67, providing a safety net that lasts until your planned retirement age.

• Advisor-Led Process: You work directly with a financial professional who can explain complex terms, model different scenarios, and help you select the precise features that match your income and business structure.

Pros and Cons

Guardian stands out for its commitment to providing truly comprehensive and specialized disability coverage. For the self-employed professional who sees insurance as a cornerstone of their financial plan, Guardian's detailed, advisor-driven approach offers unparalleled peace of mind.

Learn more at: [https://www.guardianlife.com/individuals-families/disability-insurance](https://www.guardianlife.com/individuals-families/disability-insurance)

5. Principal Financial Group

For the self-employed individual who is not just an earner but also a business owner, protecting income is only half the battle. Principal Financial Group is a direct carrier that understands this dual need, offering robust individual policies alongside specialized options to protect the business itself. Their long-standing reputation is built on providing comprehensive and modernized coverage that grows with your entrepreneurial journey.

Principal excels at offering nuanced policies that cater to the specific risks faced by business owners. This goes beyond simple income replacement, providing a financial safety net for both personal bills and business continuity. This makes it a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs who need to secure their personal finances and the future of their company simultaneously.

Key Features and User Experience

Principal provides some of the best disability insurance for self employed professionals by integrating personal and business protection. While their website is geared more toward financial professionals, the depth of their product offerings is a significant advantage for those working with an independent agent.

• Flexible "Own-Occupation" Definitions: Principal offers two tiers of coverage. Their standard "own-occupation" definition provides strong protection, while their "true own-occupation" definition (available for higher occupation classes) allows you to receive full benefits even if you can work in another profession.

• Business Owner Add-ons: This is where Principal truly shines for entrepreneurs. Riders like Overhead Expense coverage can pay for business costs (rent, payroll, utilities) if you are disabled. They also offer Disability Buy-Out insurance, which funds a buy-sell agreement if a partner becomes permanently disabled.

• DI Retirement Security: A unique rider that helps you continue saving for retirement during a period of disability. It contributes funds to a trust, ensuring a long-term disability doesn’t derail your retirement goals.

• Stackable Discounts: Principal offers various discounts that can be combined to lower your premium, making comprehensive coverage more affordable.

Pros and Cons

Principal Financial Group is an excellent choice for the established self-employed professional who needs to protect more than just a paycheck. Their focus on both individual and business continuity makes them a cornerstone of a solid financial plan.

Learn more at: [https://www.principal.com/finpro/principal-income-protector](https://www.principal.com/finpro/principal-income-protector)

6. The Standard

For highly specialized self-employed professionals like physicians, attorneys, or architects, a generic disability policy may not offer adequate protection. The Standard addresses this need with its Platinum Advantage individual disability insurance, a product renowned for its robust and highly specific "own-occupation" definitions. This insurer focuses on providing strong, customizable contracts that protect your ability to work in your specific field, making it a top choice for high-earning experts.

The Standard distinguishes itself by offering contract language and riders designed for professionals whose income is tied directly to a unique skill set. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, their policies can be tailored to safeguard the significant investment you've made in your education and training. This focus on specialty-specific protection makes it one of the best disability insurance for self employed individuals in licensed, high-skill occupations.

Key Features and User Experience

The Standard’s Platinum Advantage policy is designed for comprehensive income protection with features that go beyond a basic monthly benefit. While you typically purchase through an independent broker or financial advisor, their website provides detailed product information for your research.

• True Specialty Own-Occupation: This is the core strength of their offering. You can select a definition that protects your income if you can no longer perform the duties of your specific specialty, even if you choose to work in another field.

• Family Care Benefit: A unique feature that provides a benefit if you need to take time off work to care for a family member with a serious health condition. This rider acknowledges that a disability isn't the only health-related event that can cause income loss.

• Comprehensive Residual Disability: Their residual and partial disability benefits are robust, providing proportional payments if you can work part-time or suffer at least a 15% income loss due to a disability.

• Specialized Riders: Offers a suite of optional riders including a Student Loan Protection Rider, Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), and a Catastrophic Disability Benefit for severe events.

Pros and Cons

The Standard excels at providing nuanced, high-quality disability coverage for self-employed professionals who need more than a standard policy. Its focus on protecting specialized skills makes it an indispensable option for those at the top of their field.

Learn more at: [https://www.standard.com/brokers-advisors/individual-disability/products/platinum-advantage-gsi](https://www.standard.com/brokers-advisors/individual-disability/products/platinum-advantage-gsi)

7. Ameritas

For self-employed professionals, especially those in specialized fields like medicine or law, generic disability insurance often falls short. Ameritas distinguishes itself by offering highly customizable and robust disability insurance products, featuring strong "own-occupation" definitions that protect your specific skills and income source. Their policies are designed not just as a safety net but as a precise tool to safeguard the unique financial structure of a self-owned business or practice.

This carrier is a top choice for those who need more than a one-size-fits-all solution. Ameritas provides both traditional monthly-benefit policies and a unique lump-sum option, giving entrepreneurs flexibility in how they want to secure their financial future. The company’s focus on specialty language and business-owner riders makes it an excellent fit for high-earning professionals who need their coverage to be as specialized as their career.

Key Features and User Experience

Ameritas offers some of the best disability insurance for self employed individuals due to its powerful definitions of disability and versatile product lineup. While you typically work with a financial professional rather than a direct-to-consumer website, their products are designed with the sophisticated needs of an entrepreneur in mind.

• Flexible Disability Definitions: Ameritas offers three definitions of total disability, including a true "own-occupation" definition that pays benefits even if you can work in another field. They also provide specialty-specific language for physicians and dentists.

• DInamic Cornerstone Policy: This is their flagship monthly benefit product. It includes valuable built-in benefits like a COBRA Premium Benefit to help cover health insurance costs and a Good Health Benefit that can reduce your elimination period.

• DInamic Fundamental Lump-Sum Policy: A unique offering in the market, this policy pays out a single, tax-free lump sum upon a qualifying total disability. This can be used to pay off debts, fund business transitions, or make long-term investments.

• Business-Owner Riders: You can add coverage like a Business Overhead Expense (BOE) rider, which helps pay for rent, employee salaries, and utilities if you become disabled and can’t run your business.

Pros and Cons

Ameritas stands out by providing deeply customizable and powerful disability insurance that truly understands the risks faced by self-employed professionals. For those who want specialized protection that goes beyond the basics, it is a formidable choice.

Learn more at: [https://www.ameritas.com/disability-income/dinamic-cornerstone/](https://www.ameritas.com/disability-income/dinamic-cornerstone/)

Top 7 Disability Insurance Providers Comparison

Making Your Choice: How to Secure Your Financial Future

Navigating the world of disability insurance can feel like a complex journey, especially when you're self-employed. Unlike traditional employees who might have access to group plans, the responsibility for protecting your income rests squarely on your shoulders. Throughout this guide, we've explored some of the best disability insurance for self employed professionals, from the family-focused approach of America First Financial to the streamlined digital experience of Breeze and the established reliability of legacy providers like Guardian and Principal.

The core takeaway is this: your ability to earn an income is your most valuable asset. Protecting it isn't a luxury; it's a foundational component of a sound financial house. For the self-employed, an unexpected illness or injury doesn't just mean medical bills; it means a complete halt to your business's revenue stream. A well-chosen disability insurance policy acts as your financial backstop, ensuring that a health crisis doesn't turn into a financial catastrophe.

Synthesizing Your Options: Key Takeaways

As you reflect on the options presented, remember that the "best" policy is deeply personal and depends entirely on your unique circumstances. Let's distill the crucial decision points:

• Definition of Disability: This is the most critical clause in your policy. An "own-occupation" definition, often available from specialists like Guardian or Ameritas, is typically the gold standard for highly skilled professionals. It allows you to claim benefits if you can't perform your specific job, even if you could work in another field. A more restrictive "any-occupation" definition might be more affordable but offers less comprehensive protection.

• The Rider Advantage: Policy riders are how you customize a standard policy to fit your life. For a growing business, a Future Increase Option is invaluable. For those concerned about long-term inflation, a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) rider is essential. Don't view these as upsells; see them as tools to tailor your coverage.

• The Waiting Game (Elimination Period): How long can your savings last? Your answer determines your elimination period. A longer period (e.g., 180 days) will lower your premium, but you must be certain you have the cash reserves to bridge that gap. A shorter period (e.g., 90 days) provides quicker access to benefits but comes at a higher monthly cost.

Your Action Plan for Selecting Coverage

Feeling overwhelmed? Don't be. Break down the process into manageable steps to find the best disability insurance for your self-employed career.

1. Assess Your True Income Needs: Calculate your non-negotiable monthly expenses. This includes your mortgage or rent, utilities, food, insurance premiums, and any business overhead that would continue even if you weren't working. This number is your coverage target.

2. Evaluate Your Financial Health: Beyond insurance, a strong financial foundation is key. To truly safeguard your financial future as a self-employed professional, proactive measures such as implementing essential cash flow management strategies are indispensable. This ensures your business can weather minor interruptions and that you have a clear picture of the income you need to protect.

3. Compare Multiple Quotes: Never settle for the first offer. Use a brokerage service like Policygenius to see a broad market view, but also get quotes directly from carriers like The Standard or Principal. Pay close attention to the details behind the price, not just the premium itself.

4. Consult a Professional: A qualified, independent insurance agent can be your greatest ally. They can help you decipher complex policy language, compare the nuances between providers, and find a plan that aligns with both your career and your budget. This is one area where expert guidance pays for itself.

Ultimately, choosing a disability insurance policy is an act of empowerment. It's a declaration that you've worked too hard to build your business and your lifestyle to leave its future to chance. By taking deliberate, informed steps today, you are laying a foundation of security that will protect you and your family for years to come, allowing you to focus on what you do best: running your business with confidence and peace of mind.

Ready to take the next step in protecting your American dream? America First Financial specializes in crafting disability insurance solutions that honor the unique challenges and aspirations of self-employed individuals and their families. Explore your personalized options and secure your income today. Find out more at America First Financial.