There is no one answer to how much disability insurance you will need to purchase. The policy you buy will depend on your income, expenses and number of dependents. Another factor to consider would be the size of your emergency fund. Plus, you should evaluate any income sources you may have that could help cover your bills outside of a paycheck.  You should buy a policy that will be sufficient to help you cover your essential bills if you’re unable to work. For most people, this translates to at least 50 percent of their income.