Many of us choose our jobs based on the health insurance offered by the employers; or, we at least let the health insurance play a role in whether or not we apply for and accept certain jobs. However, how many of us go beyond just asking about health insurance and asking about disability insurance, too? Probably not many of us, if any of us, ask whether or not the jobs we are considering, or even the jobs we already have, offer disability insurance.

Just like all types of insurance, disability insurance is designed to protect us. If we become sick or injured and aren't able to go to our jobs for a certain period of time, our disability insurance acts as a substitute paycheck. We can't get a paycheck for jobs we aren't working; however, when we are sick or injured, we have no other choice but to take some time off from our jobs. That's when disability insurance kicks in and provides us with some financial relief. How much disability insurance we receivewhat percentage of our normal incomedepends on the employer.

While disability insurance isn't something everyone is going to need at some point in their lives, it is something that the people who end up needing it wish they had. If you're job hunting, ask about disability insurance. If you already have a job, but aren't sure whether or not your employer offers disability insurance, find out.

If your employer does offer disability insurance, find out if you have been working there long enough to be eligible for it. Ask how long the disability insurance will last (some employers will cover you for a few weeks to a few months, while Rhode Island, New Jersey, New York, and Hawaii are required by law to provide disability insurance for 26 weeks), and how much income you'll be eligible for should you find yourself needing the disability insurance.