Single Workers Face Greater Disability Insurance Gaps
Author: Colonial Life
Published: 2010/11/29 - Updated: 2026/02/04
Publication Type: Survey, Analysis
Category Topic: Insurance - Related Publications
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This research presents findings from a Harris Interactive survey of 2,071 full-time U.S. workers, revealing a substantial coverage gap among single and never-married employees. The data holds particular relevance for individuals with disabilities and seniors who may face increased financial vulnerability without proper insurance protection. Only 39 percent of single employees maintain life insurance compared to 61 percent of all workers, while disability insurance coverage drops to just 26 percent among unmarried workers versus 42 percent overall. These statistics prove especially valuable for people assessing their financial risk, as the majority of single workers who do carry these policies - 74 percent for life insurance and 71 percent for disability insurance - recognize their importance for future security. The findings underscore a critical awareness gap between perceived need and actual coverage among unmarried workers who lack a spouse's income as a financial safety net - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
Colonial Life Survey Reveals Single Employees Much Less Likely to Have Life, Disability Coverage
Single and never married employees(1) are much less likely to have life insurance and disability insurance, yet the majority of those currently enrolled in these benefits say they will be important to them in the next five years. That's one of the findings of a recent online nationwide survey(2) commissioned by Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company and conducted by Harris Interactive.
Main Content
The survey queried full-time employed adults who are currently enrolled in benefits and revealed the following:
Only 39 percent of single and never married employees have life insurance, compared to 61 percent of all employees. Yet 74 percent of single and never married employees who have life insurance rate it as important, very important or extremely important to them in five years.
Only 26 percent of single and never married employees have disability insurance, compared to 42 percent of all employees surveyed. Yet 71 percent of single and never married employees who have disability insurance rate it as important, very important or extremely important to them in five years.
These findings indicate many single and never married employees could be at increased financial risk, says Randy Horn, president and CEO of Colonial Life. With most companies offering open enrollment for benefits now, employees have a good opportunity to review their benefits and make decisions about any additional coverage they may need.
"Although most single employees don't have anyone depending on them financially, they still need life insurance to help pay for final expenses and any outstanding debt such as credit cards or mortgages," says Horn. "And single employees place themselves at considerable financial risk if they're not insuring their income with disability insurance. If an illness or injury caused them to be unable to work, they couldn't pay their everyday living expenses for long and don't have a spouse to rely on for help."
Horn emphasizes the importance of benefits education and counseling for employees. He recommends workers carefully review their benefits options and ask questions so they can make the most informed decisions about their coverage.
Harris Interactive administered the online study on behalf of Colonial Life between June 3 and 7, 2010, via its QuickQuery(SM) online omnibus service. Harris Interactive interviewed a nationwide sample of 2,071 U.S. adults aged 18 years and older who were employed full-time and enrolled in an employer-provided or spouse's benefits plan. Data were weighted using propensity score weighting to be representative of the total U.S. adult population on the basis of region, age within gender, education, household income, race/ethnicity, and propensity to be online. No estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated; a full methodology is available.
(1) For the purposes of this survey "employees" were defined as U.S. adults ages 18+ who are employed full time.
(2) Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company/Harris Interactive Survey, June 3-7, 2010.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: The gap between insurance coverage rates and workers' acknowledgment of its importance reveals more than just numbers - it highlights a troubling disconnect in how single employees assess their financial security. Without dependents, many unmarried workers assume insurance becomes optional rather than essential, yet the reality of medical bills, final expenses, and lost income from disability doesn't discriminate based on marital status. If anything, single workers face heightened vulnerability since they typically can't rely on a partner's income during periods of illness or injury. The survey's timing during open enrollment season serves as a practical reminder that life circumstances change faster than we anticipate, and the best time to secure coverage is always before you need it, not after. For workers with disabilities or chronic health conditions, this message carries even greater weight, as their existing challenges could compound dramatically without adequate financial protection in place - Disabled World (DW).Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Colonial Life and published on 2010/11/29, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.