Maryland Life and Health Insurance License Practice Exam

How does Chris's disability policy define total disability if he cannot perform his primary duty?

1. Any occupation

2. Own occupation

3. General workplace disability

4. Temporary disability

The correct answer is: Own occupation

In the context of disability insurance, defining "total disability" as "own occupation" means that Chris's inability to perform the specific duties required of his job qualifies as total disability. This type of definition provides protection for individuals whose jobs may require specific skills or tasks that they cannot perform due to a disability, even if they are capable of working in another capacity or job. Choosing "own occupation" typically offers stronger coverage for policyholders, as it recognizes a total disability when they can no longer perform the functions of their specific occupation. In Chris's case, since he cannot perform his primary duty, this aligns perfectly with the definition of total disability under "own occupation." On the other hand, other definitions like "any occupation" would require that Chris be unable to perform any job at all, which could be a much more challenging standard to meet. Definitions such as "general workplace disability" or "temporary disability" also do not specifically address the incapacity to perform the duties of his specific job, making them less relevant in Chris's situation.