As NFL players transition into training programs, mini-camps, and Organized Team Activities (OTAs), they’re also preparing for one of the most financially vulnerable periods of the year. In fact, 80% of the NFL athletes we insure choose to purchase disability insurance during July and August - right before the pads go back on and the risks ramp up.
This timing isn’t coincidental. It’s strategic.
Disability insurance is a vital financial safeguard designed to protect three key types of athlete income:
- Non-Guaranteed Contracts: Many NFL contracts only guarantee a portion of the total deal. Disability insurance helps secure the non-guaranteed portion against injury or illness.
- Future Earnings: Players heading into free agency are protecting projected future income.
- Draft Potential: College athletes projected to be early-round draft picks often protect their future NFL contracts before draft day.
Coverage That Goes Beyond Game Day
While game-time injuries are top of mind, they’re only part of the risk landscape. Athletes spend more time off the field than on it - traveling, driving, vacationing, or simply living their everyday lives. A serious off-field injury could derail a career just as easily as an on-field one.
[Read: Defensive Tackle Loses Arm in Car Accident]
Injuries get the spotlight, but illnesses can be just as damaging - and often, contracts don’t protect against them. Conditions like cancer, ALS, multiple sclerosis, or heart-related issues typically aren’t covered under standard player contracts unless they occur during team-sanctioned activities.
[Read: Defensive End Out After Emergency Procedure]
The Role of Permanent Total Disability (PTD) Coverage
A PTD policy provides 24/7, worldwide protection under an “own occupation” definition - covering your client specifically as a professional football player. Whether it's a traumatic injury, stroke, concussion, or diagnosis of a neurological or cardiac condition, this policy helps ensure that a career-ending event doesn’t lead to financial devastation.
Critical Injury Rider
For athletes preparing for the season, bowl games, or the NFL draft, the Critical Injury Rider offers highly targeted protection against specific major injuries - during the most vulnerable times, including:
- Regular season
- Bowl games
- NFL Combine
- Pro Day
- Pre-draft workouts
The rider includes three tiers of protection, based on the severity and nature of the injury. This rider is especially relevant for draft-eligible athletes and free agents entering career-defining phases. It provides confidence and financial protection in case the unthinkable happens at the worst possible time.
ADVISORS: Stand Out in a Crowded Field
To thrive in today’s sports insurance landscape, advisors need more than just access to products - they need insight, credibility, and a trusted partner. That’s why we’re hosting a special session:
Upcoming Webinar: Insuring NIL: What Every Advisor Needs to Know About Name, Image, and Likeness Coverage
Join Matthew Ferraro and Tim Smith of Exceptional Risk Advisors as they break down NIL coverage, the latest trends, and how you can effectively support your athlete clients in this evolving space.
