No one expects to become disabled, yet it happens every day and usually without warning. Having disability insurance is an effective way to protect your lifestyle in the event you are no longer able to earn income.

What injuries and illnesses account for the most disability claims?

Below is a breakdown of the types and relative prevalence of disabilities drawn from RBC Insurance open disability insurance claims at the end of 2006.

Disabilities don’t distinguish between gender, age or occupation.

Occupation	Gender	Year of claim	Age at claim	Cause of claim	Claim paid to date
Accountant	Male	1994	47	Brain tumor	$458,416
Biologist	Male	2001	45	Schizophrenia	$242,366
Commercial artist	Female	2003	35	Retinal disorder	$68,000
Computer programmer	Female	1997	41	Brain injury	$216,105
Dentist	Male	1994	37	Rheumatoid arthritis	$1,375,700
Draftsman	Male	2004	54	Parkinson Disease	$78,300
Electrician	Male	2003	56	Respiratory disease	$38,885
Executive	Female	1989	33	Multiple sclerosis	$635,529
Farmer	Male	2004	25	Spinal cord injury	$102,725
Family physician	Female	1989	33	Multiple sclerosis	$635,529
Painter	Male	2000	31	Severe arthritis, both knees	$147,900
Photographer	Male	2003	51	Severe injury, both wrists	$85,104

This information is provided by RBC Life Insurance Company based on number of active claims at December 31, 2006 for group and individual disability insurance products underwritted by RBC Life Insurance Company.