producer/page_5

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

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

Consumers believe that accidents are the most likely cause of disabilities.

In general, consumers think disabilities are triggered by more “catastrophic” causes – like serious accidents, stroke, cancer, heart disease and paralysis. They tended to overlook more commonplace causes such as muscle or bone pain and chronic disease.

Advisors also think that injuries are the most common cause of disabilities.

Most of the advisors in the study reported that at least one of their clients had become disabled. And when asked what caused their clients’ disabilities, advisors’ reports aligned with consumers’ perceptions – but did not reflect industry statistics.

• 65% of individual advisors said their clients’ disabilities would most likely be caused by injuries and accidents.
• 94% of group advisors said disabilities were either sometimes or often caused by injuries and accidents.

In reality, both advisors and their clients underestimate many of the leading causes of disability. As the data on the next page illustrates, musculoskeletal/connective tissue disorders such as back and neck pain and arthritis are far and away the leading causes of new long-term disability claims – followed by cancers, injuries, cardiovascular disorders and mental diseases.

Attitudinal differences by gender/income
Men and women have somewhat different views of what triggers disability. In six out of 10 categories, women rated their own chances of becoming disabled lower their male counterparts. But they think they’re more likely than men to be disabled by an accident, cancer, muscle/bone pain and depression/anxiety.

While few consumers 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.

Disability insurance industry statistics reveal that only about one out of 10 long-term disabilities actually result from injury.

The CDA 2011 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 arthritis.
• Cancer is the second leading cause of new disability claims, representing 15% of all new claims.
• Cardiovascular/circulatory problems have increased slightly and are now the fourth leading cause of new and third leading cause of existing disability claims.
• Over 95% of disabilities are not work related, and therefore not covered by workers’ compensation.
• Lifestyle choices and personal behaviors that lead to obesity are becoming major contributing factors.

Statistics show most disabilities are caused by illnesses.