What does it mean if an insured continues to collect benefits from a disability income policy for the same cause of disability?

When an insured continues to collect benefits from a disability income policy for the same cause of disability, it signifies that they are experiencing recurrent disability. This concept is designed to address situations where an individual may again become disabled due to the same underlying condition after having previously been disabled and received benefits for it.

A recurrent disability often stipulates that there must be an interval of time where the individual is either back to work or has not received benefits, but they may then become disabled again due to the same initial cause. This policy structure is crucial as it provides financial assistance for ongoing issues related to a previous disability, emphasizing the importance of the continuity and persistence of the condition.

This is distinct from presumptive disability, where a condition is so severe that it is presumed to cause total disability without further proof. Concurrent disability refers to being disabled by multiple conditions simultaneously, while residual disability pertains to a situation where the insured can still work to some degree but has lost income due to the disability. Each of these terms reflects different circumstances under which benefits may be provided, making the definition and understanding of recurrent disability particularly relevant in the case described.