University of South Florida

90 days. This is the number of days following the start of disability before benefits become payable.

To Age 67. This is the maximum period of time for which you may receive benefit payments for a continuous disability. Refer to your policy's Schedule of Maximum Benefit Periods for details.

The Standard will provide the policy’s full basic monthly benefit if you are unable to perform the substantial and material duties of your regular occupation, even if you earn money in another occupation. Regular occupation is defined as the occupation(s) in which you are regularly engaged at the time your disability begins. This includes your specialty if you are a physician or dentist and have limited your occupation to a professionally recognized specialty. If you are a trial attorney who has limited your regular occupation to the performance of the usual and customary activities of a trial attorney, trial attorney will be deemed your regular occupation.

Example: Finding work in a new occupation with the Own Occupation Rider

Jason, an orthopedic surgeon, injured his right hand in an accident and was unable to return to his job because he couldn't perform surgery. Due to his medical training, he was able to return to work as a family medicine physician. Jason was considered totally disabled in his regular occupation as an orthopedic surgeon — even though he earns an income from another occupation as a family medicine physician — because of the own occupation definition of total disability included in his Platinum Advantage policy. Because of this, he receives the policy's full basic monthly benefit, in addition to the income he receives in his new position.

If you were to experience a disabling medical condition and an income loss of at least 20 percent, yet be able to work in some capacity, the Enhanced Residual Disability Rider would provide you with residual disability benefits. The Enhanced Residual Disability Rider allows you to satisfy the benefit waiting period if you have at least a 20 percent loss of time or duties or income. After the waiting period, you will be eligible for a benefit if you have a loss of income of at least 20 percent. This rider pays a minimum of 50 percent of the policy's basic monthly benefit for the first 12 months. After 12 months, the benefit amount is proportional to your loss of income.

Our Family Care Benefit helps provide you with financial support if you need to take time away from work to care for a child, parent, spouse or domestic partner with a serious health condition.

Example: How the Family Care Benefit provided the ability to care for a loved one

Jared's daughter was born with a heart defect. They visited multiple specialists to diagnose the condition and determine the appropriate treatment. Then his daughter underwent surgeries, hospital stays and months of follow-up appointments. Benefits from Jared’s Platinum Advantage policy helped make up for the income lost when Jared spent time away from work to attend physician appointments and to be with his daughter in the hospital and throughout her extended recovery — providing peace of mind during a trying time.

Video: Stories of how different people used the Family Care Benefit

Your increases in income can qualify you to purchase increased coverage at three-year intervals, subject to issue and participation limits — without having to provide medical information. You’ll be asked to provide information about your income and other disability coverage, and we may offer a benefit increase up to the maximum amount you qualify for.

You may be eligible to increase your coverage earlier than the three-year interval via the Accelerated Option.

Example: Benefits that match career growth through the Benefit Increase Rider

David is completing his dermatology residency and just accepted an offer at a private practice. Before the end of his residency, he purchased a Platinum Advantage policy that included the Benefit Increase Rider, knowing his income will rise significantly after he starts his first post-residency job. The benefit also will allow his policy to grow with him as he progresses in his career and receives additional salary increases. David values the fact that his coverage going forward will match his developing career.

After an injury or sickness, you might want to seek additional assistance to help you recover and return to work. Platinum Advantage’s Rehabilitation Benefit may pay for modifications to your workplace, vehicle or home, training or educational programs, family care, or other job-related expenses. The Standard must agree to the terms and objectives of the rehabilitation program and determine it meets mutually agreed-upon objectives. Participating in a voluntary rehabilitation program is optional.

Example: Assistance on the road to recovery through a rehabilitation program

Jody's role as an accountant at a small firm requires a lot of computer work. After sustaining a serious back injury from a car accident, Jody was totally disabled under her Platinum Advantage policy. Jody’s doctor recommended she purchase assistive equipment to help her work comfortably at her desk without aggravating her condition. She was able to return to work full time after participating in a rehabilitation program in which expenses for a sitstand desk and other ergonomic accommodations were paid for under her Platinum Advantage policy. These modifications helped ensure she could return to work safely, without hindering her recovery.

Your premiums will be waived while disability benefits are payable under the policy.

With this rider, your premiums and policy provisions will be locked in for the duration of your policy. We won't cancel your policy, raise your premium rates or reduce your coverage as long as you pay the premiums on time.

If you were to suffer a catastrophic injury or sickness, such as one that prevented you from performing two or more activities of daily living (e.g., bathing, dressing or eating) without assistance, or if you suffer severe cognitive impairment, the Catastrophic Disability Benefit Rider would pay a monthly benefit, in addition to the total disability benefit, which can help offset the cost of additional expenses or care.

If you become totally disabled, The Standard will pay you a student loan benefit in the amount you paid under your student loan agreement, up to a stated maximum amount.

A pre-existing condition is one for which, during the three months immediately before the policy effective date, the insured individual consulted a physician, underwent diagnostic procedures, took prescription medications, or a reasonably prudent person would have sought medical advice, care or treatment. If a disability caused by a pre-existing condition occurs during the first 12 months that the policy is in force, that disability is not covered by the policy for as long as that disability continues. If a disability caused by a pre-existing condition occurs after the first 12 months that the policy is in force, that disability will be covered by the policy as long as all other eligibility requirements are met.