Disability Insurance for Travel Nurses
Introduction
Your ability to earn income is your most valuable asset. As a travel nurse earning $70,000 to $120,000 or more per year, the total lifetime value of your earning potential could be $2 million to $4 million over the course of your career. An injury or illness that sidelines you for even a few weeks can mean lost contracts, broken housing leases, mounting bills, and a scramble to cover expenses with no paycheck coming in.
Unlike staff nurses who may have employer-sponsored sick leave, short-term disability, and worker’s compensation protections, travel nurses operate with far fewer safety nets. Disability insurance fills that gap, replacing a portion of your income if you cannot work due to illness or injury. It is the safety net most travelers overlook — until they need it.
This is educational content, not insurance or financial advice. Consult a licensed insurance professional for guidance specific to your situation.
Why Disability Insurance Matters for Travel Nurses
The statistics are sobering. Nursing is one of the highest-risk professions for workplace injuries. Back injuries, needlestick incidents, patient handling injuries, slips, and falls are all common. The Bureau of Labor Statistics consistently ranks nursing among the top occupations for musculoskeletal injuries and days away from work.
Travel nurses face elevated risks. Every new assignment means unfamiliar equipment, different facility layouts, new team dynamics, and varying safety protocols. You may float to units outside your primary specialty, work with patient populations you are less experienced with, or use equipment models you have never operated. These factors increase your exposure compared to a staff nurse who knows every corner of their unit.
No employer-sponsored safety net. Staff nurses at hospitals typically have employer-paid short-term disability, sick leave banks, and well-established worker’s compensation processes. Travel nurses usually have none of this. When your contract ends — whether on schedule or early due to injury — your income stops immediately.
How quickly savings drain. Consider a travel nurse earning $2,000 per week. A six-week injury means $12,000 in lost income. Add in housing costs you are still paying (lease obligations do not pause when you get hurt), health insurance premiums, car payments, and daily expenses, and a nurse without disability insurance can burn through an emergency fund alarmingly fast.
Beyond physical injuries. Disability insurance also covers illnesses that prevent you from working. Cancer treatment, severe infections, autoimmune flares, surgeries, mental health conditions, and pregnancy complications can all trigger disability claims. These are not rare events over a 20- to 30-year nursing career.
Short-Term Disability Insurance
Short-term disability (STD) insurance replaces a portion of your income during the initial weeks or months after a qualifying illness or injury.
What STD covers. A typical short-term disability policy pays 60 to 70 percent of your pre-disability income for a benefit period of three to six months. Some policies extend to 12 months. The benefit begins after an elimination period (a waiting period before benefits start), which is usually 7 to 14 days for illness and 0 to 14 days for accidents.
Monthly premium ranges. For a travel nurse in their 20s or 30s, short-term disability premiums typically run $25 to $75 per month, depending on the benefit amount, elimination period, and benefit duration you choose. Older nurses or those with pre-existing conditions may pay more.
When benefits kick in. The elimination period is a critical feature to understand. A 14-day elimination period means you must be disabled for 14 days before benefits start paying. A zero-day elimination period for accidents means benefits begin immediately after an accidental injury. Shorter elimination periods cost more in premiums but provide faster access to benefits.
Best STD providers for contract workers. Look for providers that offer portable individual policies (not tied to an employer). Aflac, Mutual of Omaha, and Principal are commonly used by travel nurses. Individual policies follow you between agencies and remain active during gaps — a major advantage over employer-provided STD.
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Long-term disability (LTD) insurance kicks in after short-term disability benefits are exhausted, providing coverage for extended periods of disability.
What LTD covers. Long-term disability typically begins after a 90- to 180-day elimination period (which is why you need STD to cover the initial months). LTD pays 50 to 70 percent of your pre-disability income for an extended benefit period — commonly two years, five years, 10 years, or until age 65. The longer the benefit period, the higher the premium.
Own-occupation vs. any-occupation. This is the single most important distinction in a disability policy, and it matters enormously for nurses. An “own-occupation” policy considers you disabled if you cannot perform the duties of your specific occupation — nursing. An “any-occupation” policy only pays if you cannot work at any job for which you are reasonably suited by education, training, or experience.
Why own-occupation matters for nurses. Imagine you injure your back and can no longer perform the physical demands of bedside nursing — lifting patients, standing for 12-hour shifts, responding to codes. Under an any-occupation policy, the insurer could argue you can still work a desk job and deny your claim. An own-occupation policy would pay benefits because you cannot perform nursing, regardless of whether you could do other work. For a profession as physically demanding as nursing, own-occupation coverage is essential.
Monthly premium ranges and cost factors. Long-term disability premiums for travel nurses typically run $50 to $200 per month, depending on age, health, benefit amount, elimination period, benefit period, and whether you choose own-occupation coverage. Generally, LTD costs between 1 and 3 percent of your annual income. For a nurse earning $90,000, that is $75 to $225 per month.
Benefit periods. A policy that pays to age 65 provides the most comprehensive protection but costs the most. A five-year benefit period covers most disability events (the majority of long-term disability claims resolve within five years) at a lower premium. A two-year benefit period is the minimum worth considering. Your choice should reflect your savings, other assets, and risk tolerance.
Agency Disability Benefits vs. Personal Policies
Understanding the difference between agency-offered and personal disability coverage is critical for travel nurses.
What agencies typically offer. Some large agencies offer group short-term disability coverage as part of their benefits package. Coverage is usually modest — often 60 percent of your base hourly rate (not including overtime or stipends) for up to 12 weeks. Not all agencies offer disability benefits at all, and those that do typically require a waiting period.
Limitations of agency-provided coverage. Agency disability benefits have the same fundamental problem as agency health insurance: they end when your contract ends. If you are injured during a gap between assignments, agency disability coverage will not protect you. The coverage amount may also be based on a lower salary figure that does not reflect your true earnings.
Why a personal policy provides better protection. A personal disability insurance policy stays with you regardless of your employment status. It covers you during assignments, during gaps, and even if you leave travel nursing entirely. You control the benefit amount, elimination period, and benefit duration. And because you own the policy, no agency change or contract ending can take it away.
Portability is everything. For a worker who changes employers every 13 weeks, portability is not a nice-to-have — it is a necessity. A personal policy eliminates the need to re-enroll, re-qualify, or worry about pre-existing condition exclusions every time you start a new contract.
How to Choose the Right Policy
Here is a practical framework for selecting disability insurance that fits your situation.
Assess how much coverage you need. A common guideline is to insure 60 to 70 percent of your gross income. Since disability benefits from a personal policy you pay for yourself are tax-free, 60 percent of your gross income may replace close to 80 percent of your take-home pay. Calculate your essential monthly expenses (housing, food, insurance premiums, debt payments) and make sure the benefit amount covers them.
Elimination period options. A 90-day elimination period is the most common choice for LTD. If you have a solid emergency fund (three to six months of expenses), a longer elimination period reduces your premiums. If your savings are thin, a shorter elimination period provides faster access to benefits. Pair your LTD elimination period with an STD policy that covers the same number of days so there is no gap.
Riders to consider. Several optional riders can enhance your disability policy:
- Cost-of-living adjustment (COLA): Increases your benefit amount annually to keep pace with inflation during a long-term claim.
- Future increase option: Lets you increase your coverage later without new medical underwriting, valuable if your income grows.
- Residual or partial disability: Pays a reduced benefit if you can work part-time but not full-time, or if your earning capacity is reduced.
- Return-to-work incentive: Provides additional benefits during a transition period when you return to work after a disability.
How pre-existing conditions affect eligibility. Most individual disability policies require medical underwriting. Pre-existing conditions like back problems, depression, or autoimmune disorders may result in exclusions for those specific conditions, higher premiums, or in some cases, denial of coverage. Apply while you are healthy to get the best rates and fewest exclusions.
Top disability insurance providers for nurses. Guardian, Principal, Mutual of Omaha, and The Standard are well-regarded providers for individual disability insurance. Each offers own-occupation coverage and nurse-friendly underwriting. Compare quotes from at least two providers, as pricing can vary significantly for the same coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does disability insurance cost for travel nurses?
Short-term disability insurance typically costs $25 to $75 per month for travel nurses in their 20s and 30s, depending on the benefit amount, elimination period, and benefit duration. Long-term disability insurance runs $50 to $200 per month, generally costing between 1 and 3 percent of your annual income. For a nurse earning $90,000 per year, that is roughly $75 to $225 per month for long-term coverage. The exact premium depends on your age, health, chosen benefit amount, and whether you select own-occupation coverage.
What is the difference between own-occupation and any-occupation disability insurance?
This distinction is critical for nurses. An own-occupation policy considers you disabled if you cannot perform the duties of your specific occupation, which is nursing. An any-occupation policy only pays if you cannot work at any job you are reasonably qualified for. If you injure your back and cannot perform the physical demands of bedside nursing but could theoretically work a desk job, an any-occupation policy could deny your claim. For a profession as physically demanding as nursing, own-occupation coverage is essential and worth the higher premium.
Does agency disability insurance follow me between contracts?
No. Agency-provided disability coverage ends when your contract ends, just like agency health insurance. If you are injured during a gap between assignments, agency disability coverage will not protect you. The coverage amount may also be based on a lower salary figure that does not reflect your true earnings including overtime and stipends. A personal disability insurance policy stays with you regardless of your employment status, covering you during assignments, during gaps, and even if you leave travel nursing entirely.
Do I need both short-term and long-term disability insurance?
Ideally, yes. Short-term disability covers the initial weeks or months after a qualifying illness or injury, typically paying benefits for three to six months after a 7- to 14-day elimination period. Long-term disability kicks in after the short-term benefits are exhausted, usually beginning after a 90- to 180-day elimination period. Together, they provide continuous income protection from the first few weeks of disability through an extended recovery. If you can only afford one, long-term disability provides more financial protection over time.
Can I get disability insurance if I have a pre-existing condition?
Most individual disability policies require medical underwriting, and pre-existing conditions like back problems, depression, or autoimmune disorders may affect your coverage. The insurer may issue a policy with an exclusion for that specific condition, charge a higher premium, or in some cases deny coverage entirely. This is why the best advice is to apply while you are healthy to secure the best rates and fewest exclusions. The earlier in your career you purchase a policy, the more likely you are to qualify for comprehensive coverage at a lower cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does disability insurance cost for travel nurses?
Disability insurance typically costs 1 to 3 percent of your annual income. For a travel nurse earning $90,000 per year, that translates to roughly $75 to $225 per month for long-term disability coverage. Short-term disability premiums are lower, usually $25 to $75 per month. The exact cost depends on your age, health, benefit amount, elimination period, benefit duration, and whether you choose own-occupation coverage. Younger and healthier nurses pay less, which is a strong argument for purchasing a policy early in your career.
What is the difference between own-occupation and any-occupation disability insurance?
Own-occupation disability insurance considers you disabled if you cannot perform the specific duties of your occupation, which is nursing. Any-occupation insurance only pays if you cannot work at any job for which you are reasonably qualified. This distinction matters enormously for nurses because if a back injury prevents you from performing bedside nursing, an any-occupation insurer could argue you can still work a desk job and deny your claim. Own-occupation coverage pays benefits because you cannot perform nursing, regardless of whether you could do other work. For a physically demanding profession like nursing, own-occupation coverage is essential.
Does my agency provide disability insurance, and is it enough?
Some large travel nursing agencies offer group short-term disability as part of their benefits package, typically covering 60 percent of your base hourly rate for up to 12 weeks. However, agency disability benefits have two major limitations: they usually do not include overtime or stipend income in the benefit calculation, and they end when your contract ends. If you are injured during a gap between assignments or after leaving an agency, you have no coverage. A personal disability policy stays with you regardless of your employment status and can be tailored to your actual income level.
Should I get both short-term and long-term disability insurance?
Ideally, yes. Short-term and long-term disability insurance work together to provide continuous income protection. Short-term disability covers the initial three to six months after a qualifying illness or injury, while long-term disability kicks in after the short-term benefits are exhausted. If you can only afford one, long-term disability is the more critical coverage because an extended disability has a much greater financial impact than a brief one. However, pairing both ensures you have income replacement from the first week or two of disability all the way through a potentially career-ending event.
Can I get disability insurance if I have a pre-existing condition?
Most individual disability policies require medical underwriting, and pre-existing conditions like back problems, depression, or autoimmune disorders may affect your eligibility. Depending on the condition, the insurer might exclude coverage for that specific condition, charge higher premiums, or in some cases deny the application entirely. This is a strong reason to apply for disability insurance while you are young and healthy, before any conditions develop. If you have a pre-existing condition, working with an insurance broker who specializes in disability coverage can help you find a carrier with more favorable underwriting for your situation.
Key Takeaways
- Travel nurses face higher injury risk and have no employer sick leave. Disability insurance fills the gap that agency benefits do not cover.
- Short-term disability covers the first three to six months; long-term picks up after. Both work together to provide continuous income protection.
- Always choose own-occupation coverage to protect your nursing career specifically, not just your ability to work any job.
- A personal policy follows you between agencies and assignments. Agency-provided disability coverage is too limited and too unreliable for travel nurses.
- Premiums typically cost 1 to 3 percent of your annual income. For a nurse earning $90,000, that is roughly $75 to $225 per month — a worthwhile investment to protect $2 million or more in lifetime earnings.
- Apply while you are healthy to get the best rates and broadest coverage. See our guide on covering insurance gaps between assignments for strategies to keep all your coverage active.
Related Resources
- Travel Nurse Health Insurance: Complete Guide
- Life Insurance for Travel Nurses: Do You Need It?
- Best Malpractice Insurance for Travel Nurses
- Travel Nurse Agency Benefits Comparison Guide
- How to Cover Insurance Gaps Between Assignments
- How to Become a Travel Nurse
Affiliate Placement Notes
- Short-term disability provider links after STD section
- Long-term disability comparison widget after LTD section
- “Get a disability insurance quote” CTA after How to Choose section
- Sidebar widget for disability insurance calculator