Guardian review

Guardian has the deepest feature set we found on an insurer's own pages. Its individual policies are non-cancellable and guaranteed renewable, so the monthly price is fixed and the company cannot cancel cover while you pay on time. Standard features include waiver of premium that keeps waiving payments for six months after you recover, a hospice care benefit and an unemployment premium suspension. Optional riders add a future increase option without new medical proof, cost-of-living adjustments, a catastrophic disability benefit up to 100% income replacement, retirement contribution protection and a student loan rider covering $250 to $2,500 a month. On price, Guardian gives a guideline rather than a quote: 1 to 3% of annual salary, or roughly $85 to $250 a month on a $100,000 income. An online quote form asks for gender, age, occupation, state and income. It scores slightly below Northwestern Mutual on value because its published figure is a broad estimate.

Who it is for

professionals who want own-occupation cover and riders

Price

Guardian's own guideline: about $85 to $250 a month for someone earning $100,000 (1 to 3% of salary).

So for example, if you earn $100,000, expect to pay roughly $85–$250/month, or $1,000–$3,000/year.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 13, 2026.

Key features

• Non-cancellable and guaranteed renewable: the monthly price is locked and the policy cannot be cancelled while you pay
• Waiver of premium continues for six months after you recover
• Future increase option raises cover as income grows without a medical exam
• Student loan protection rider covers $250 to $2,500 a month in loan payments
• Online quote tool asking gender, age, occupation, state and income

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Choice of own-occupation definition of disability
• Strength: Catastrophic disability benefit can bring income replacement up to 100%
• Strength: Retirement protection rider replaces plan contributions while you are totally disabled
• Weakness: Its published cost guide is a range estimate, not a quoted premium
• Weakness: Riders such as cost-of-living adjustment add cost
• Weakness: Guardian says individual short-term disability is usually expensive and steers buyers to long-term cover

Key facts

• Contract: Non-cancellable, guaranteed renewable
• Cost guide: About 1 to 3% of annual salary
• Student loan rider: $250 to $2,500 a month
• Quote: Online quote tool

Where it ranks

Guardian is No. 2 in our Best Disability Insurance Companies verdict.