There are two types of disability insurance: short-term disability and long-term disability. Long-term disability insurance may have a waiting period—also called the elimination period—of several weeks to several months, with benefits lasting from a few years to retirement. Short-term disability insurance may have a waiting period of zero to two weeks, with benefits lasting up to two years. While long-term disability insurance with benefits lasting until retirement may offer the ultimate protection, you may want to protect yourself with a short-term policy, too. Typically, you may pay higher premiums for shorter waiting periods and a longer benefits payout period. For an extra fee, you may also look at a noncancelable policy—which means the insurance company can’t cancel the policy for any reason except for not paying the premiums. Another policy option, guaranteed renewable, also means the provider can’t cancel your policy, but the insurance company may increase premiums for a group of insured folks (also known as the same rating class).  You may also pay more for extra riders, which may boost your disability coverage like cost of living adjustments (COLA), residual benefit or partial disability, the return of premiums for no claims, waiver of premium for disability, and more.