Surprises can be fun. An unexpected gift or a call from a long-lost friend is a delightful diversion from the day-to-day routine. But some surprises, such as an accident or the onset of a long-term illness, can wreak havoc on your ability to support your family, maintain your budget, and meet your expectations for the future. Disability insurance plans are devised to help you cope when unexpected events prevent you from working. If you're thinking this will never happen to you, consider this fact from the Social Security Administration: A 20-year worker faces a three in 10 chance of becoming disabled before reaching retirement age (SSA Publication No. 05-10029). Unless you're among the lucky few who can keep up with the bills without an income, you should take a look at various options for disability insurance.

Disability insurance benefits provide a portion of the income you would have been earning if you were not injured. Many employers offer supplemental disability insurance as part of their package of benefits. These plans often address short-term needs that arise from an acute medical event. Some employer plans also offer long-term plans, which cover events that extend beyond a few weeks. In both cases, the plans provide financial benefits that help you continue to meet your monthly expenses until you can return to work.

When deliberating whether to pay for supplemental disability insurance, consider the costs of not purchasing it.

Could you continue to pay the mortgage, put food on the table, fill up the tank, and meet monthly expenses without an income?

If your condition is long-term, could your finances withstand the minimum of three to five months needed to process applications for Social Security benefits?

Whether you obtain disability insurance from your employer or privately, be sure to carefully evaluate the amount of coverage you really need. If your employer's coverage is minimal, consider paying extra to get the coverage you require. If your employer doesn't provide disability insurance, contact a reputable insurance agent for information on acquiring this added layer of protection. He or she will be able to provide a quote for the disability insurance policy that best fits your needs and those of your family.