If a worker remains unable to work due to a sustaining injury, disability insurance may cover his wage replacement. Short-term disability can cover wage replacement for a two-year duration, beyond which disability insurance is classified as long-term. Long-term disability may be classified as either HISOCC ("his occupation"), in which the worker is disabled from all aspects of his job, or ANYOCC ("any occupation") in which the worker is no longer eligible for any type of work.

Under HISOCC coverage, an injured worker is eligible for benefits until capable of performing all aspects of his work. Coverage programs may have several-year limits, or may continue until retirement age. Purchase of long-term care insurance (coverage of long-term custodial care) is becoming more popular, due to the increasing prevalence of less costly policies, as well as the growing complexity of medical needs as lifespan increases. A purchaser of Nursing Home insurance pays premiums (based on age, health, and benefits included) to guard against large amounts per year ($40,000 - $60,000) or to avoid deliberately depleting resources for Medicaid qualification. The annual insurance premium tends to rise with age, thus the purchaser should be financially sound, yet not contain resources to pay the cost of nursing home care per year.

Nontraditional insurance policies (e.g. cancer insurance) are not recommended, as the high premiums are incongruent with the low risk of disease. A viatical settlement (in which a viatical company purchases life insurance for a percentage of the cash value) is available for sufferers of terminal diseases without resources for payment; however, it is suggested that consumers explore alternatives, and consider tax ramifications of this option. An accelerated benefits rider on a life insurance policy also allows an individual suffering from a terminal illness to receive an early percentage of the total policy value in cash. An insurance policy rider for accidental dismemberment may also offer a cash settlement for permanent losses suffered.