<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD W3 HTML//EN"> <HTML> <HEAD> <META content=text/html;charset=iso-8859-1 = http-equiv=Content-Type> <META content='"MSHTML 4.72.2106.6"' name=GENERATOR> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><< Please pardon the intrusion however, I thought I possibly = could be some help in your question to the piano tech forum.  I am a insurance agent who reads the piano tech info for interest.  I have = a Kawii KG3 First, you can not apply for social security until = you have been disabled for at least 6 months.  Social Security will = not provide benefits unless you are unable to do any type of work = including standing in a convenience store punching a cash register.  The qualifications to receive SS is very stiff and difficult to receive. Disability insurance can cover you exclusively for = "Your Occupation".  In other words, if you were capable of doing something else but perhaps something that didn't pay as much, the = disability coverage would still provide you with benefits.  Plus, good = disability coverage will  pay 100% benefits if you should lose your = eyesight , hearing, or limbs, even though you may be able to do something = else.  In addition, good disability provides partial benefits if you are only = able to work on a limited basis.  For instance, if you were able to only = work 2 hours a day your benefits would continue to be paid to you based on = the percentage of time that you were unable to work.  Last of = all, good coverage will have policies that are what we call non-cancellable and guaranteed renewable.  That means if your premiums never = increase and you can not be cancelled for any reason.  Obviously, no = company would cancel coverage while you were receiving benefits but what if = you had received benefits for 2 years and then returned to work...they may = cancel your coverage after benefits were received and after that first = disability you may no longer be able to get coverage with any other = company.  Disability is a type of coverage that you pay for what you get.  = I hope this is helpful. Best regards, Diana D. McKinney <A href="mailto:dd.mckinney@mci2000.com">dd.mckinney@mci2000.com</A></DIV>= </BODY></HTML>