A recent MSN article about some of the financial shocks new college graduates run into, correctly included the need for disability insurance and specifically individual disability insurance. The article made some good points including: 1. Even if some company disability insurance is available, it’s worth looking into an individual disability policy. 2. Try to get a non-cancelable, guaranteed renewable disability insurance policy. I would add: 3. Get a disability insurance policy that defines disability as your occupation. 4. Get a disability policy that has a residual (partial) benefit - you’re still partially disabled and have a loss of income. 5. Make sure that the policy has a recovery benefit - if you return to work after disability with a loss of income even though you’ve recovered. 6. Choose the insurance company that has highest financial strength ratings from Moody’s, Standard and Poor’s and A.M. Best and Company. You can read more about these important points at Tips on Purchasing Disability Insurance.