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1. Overview
2. Methodology & Highlights
3. Beliefs About Disability
4. Overall Odds of Disability
5. Causes of Disability

6. Protection Against Disability
7. Duration of Disability
8. Preparation for Disability
9. Income Sources in Event of Disability
10. Conclusion

71% of respondents believe that disability is most likely caused by serious accidents.

Disability insurance industry statistics report that fewer than one out of 10 long‑term claims actually result from injuries.

In general, employees tended to see disability as resulting from a more “catastrophic” cause-serious accidents, stroke, cancer, heart disease and paralysis. They tended to overlook more commonplace causes such as muscle or bone pain and chronic disease.

• 45% of employees cited a stroke as a likely cause of disability.
• 43% said cancer was a likely cause.
• 40% said heart disease would cause a potential disability.

The CDA 2010 Long-Term Disability Claim Review reports:

• More than one out of four income-interrupting disabilities are triggered by muscle and bone disorders such as back problems, joint pain and muscle pain.
• Cancer is the second leading cause of new disability claims, representing 15% of all claims.
• Cardiovascular/circulatory problems have increased slightly and are now the third leading cause of new and existing disability claims.
• Most disabilities are not work-related, and therefore not covered by workers’ compensation.
• Lifestyle choices and personal behavior that lead to obesity are becoming major contributing factors.

Attitudinal differences by gender
Men and women have a somewhat different view of what would cause disability. In general, women think their own chances of becoming disabled are lower in six out of 10 categories than their male counterparts. Even so, they estimated their own chances of becoming disabled higher than men in four categories:

• serious accident
• cancer
• muscle or bone pain
• depression/anxiety

Attitudinal difference by income
While few employees named lifestyle and substance abuse as likely causes of disability, it’s interesting to note that both were cited more often by respondents who earn $250,000 or more per year.