When Is Disability Insurance Needed? 
Assuming the question at what age or circumstance is disability insurance needed , most advisers recommend the day you start working full time . Most American workers have 90 days in cash reserves to pay household expenditures . The average long term disability is around 30 months and the odds of a disability event during your working years is significant . And while Social security disability is available , its benefits may not be enough , so purchasing individual disability insurance is necessary and part of your defensive financial plan . 