Mass. Mutual offers disability options

Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. said yesterday that it will allow buyers of its disability income insurance customize their coverage based on their occupation.

Disability income insurance policies protect workers from financial hardships due a disability or serious illness. MassMutual's own occupation rider, according to the company, will help consumers tailor their disability income insurance to fit their needs for an extra fee.
"Our 'own occupation' rider will give our policyholders the flexibility to choose the coverage that's right for them individually, depending on
their profession and their unique, changing needs," said Melissa Millan, senior vice president of product management, MassMutual's U.S. Insurance
Group, in the company's press release.

Robert Taylor, executive director of Council for Disability Awareness, said in the press release that most Americans think they'll never become disabled in their lifetime. He said this assumption is incorrect, quoting a 2006 US Bureau of the Census report that said 51.2 million Americans were disabled in 2002.