Disability insurance will pay a portion of your income if you are unable to work for an extended period of time due to an injury or illness. There are two types of disability insurance: short-term disability insurance and long-term disability insurance. As the name implies, short-term disability insurance replaces much of your paycheck (up to 80%) for a short period of time—usually three to six months—and is often available through your employer as a free employment benefit or at low cost. And long-term disability insurance replaces some of your paycheck if you are unable to work for years or decades—sometimes until retirement. Long-term disability insurance is not often provided by employers—but you may purchase an individual policy. Because long-term disability insurance often does not pay enough to cover your expenses, some people purchase supplemental long-term disability insurance policies.

In West Virginia (WV), disability insurance is regulated at both the state and federal levels. Short-term disability insurance typically covers a significant portion of an individual's income for a brief period, such as three to six months, and is often provided by employers as a benefit. Long-term disability insurance, on the other hand, offers income replacement for longer periods, potentially until retirement, but is less commonly provided by employers. Individuals in WV may purchase long-term disability insurance on their own. Additionally, some opt for supplemental long-term disability insurance to ensure adequate coverage. It's important to note that the specifics of disability insurance policies, including the percentage of income replaced and the duration of benefits, can vary widely. Individuals should review their policy details and consider state regulations and protections under the West Virginia Insurance Code, which governs insurance practices in the state. Furthermore, federal laws such as the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) may apply to employer-provided disability insurance plans, setting minimum standards for these benefits.