Short Term Disability and the Coronavirus

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, employees and employers alike are wondering if short-term disability insurance will cover their absence from work if they are diagnosed with the virus and must stay home.

They are also wondering if they can make a disability claim if they have not been diagnosed with the virus but were placed under a precautionary quarantine.  And with schools closing across the country, can they make a paid family leave claim to stay home and care for school age children if they don’t have other childcare arrangements.

As is the case in most insurance related claims, it depends.  Policies vary from Company to Company.  Some policies from certain carriers may carry quarantine provisions, but in short, a coronavirus diagnosis or a quarantine related to the pandemic does not constitute automatic approval of a short-term disability claim.  Short-term as well as long-term disability policies typically do not include treatment for a cold or the flu under short term disability policies.  

If an employee is sick and unable to work due to COVID-19, these claims will be determined on a case by case basis, depending on the severity and length of the illness.  In some situations, cases requiring hospitalization may qualify for short-term disability.  Claims submitted with a diagnosis of Coronavirus will be evaluated based on the provisions in the policy.  The claimant will need to provide proof that they are under the care of a Health Care Provider that can certify the disability and that they are unable to perform their job.

Similarly, employees cannot make Paid Family Leave claims to care for children who are home from school because the school closed as a precautionary measure.  The child would have to be sick.  But again, that would need to be decided on an individual basis, depending on the length and severity of the child’s illness.  For more information, contact your local, independent insurance agent, who will be more than happy to discuss this issue with you.

Kevin Connors is a Certified Insurance Counselor and licensed Property/Casualty and Life Insurance Agent with The Connors Insurance Agency in Mechanicville, NY.  Mr. Connors can be reached at (518)664-7307 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.