Under most insurance policies, what constitutes a 'total disability'?

Total disability in insurance terms is generally defined as the insured's inability to perform any work for which they are qualified due to injury or sickness. This definition focuses on the individual's capacity to engage in work that they are trained for or have experience in, regardless of the type of employment that may be available. It reflects the insured's complete loss of ability to work in their specific field or any other field they might be qualified for, largely influencing how benefits are calculated and provided.

If an individual cannot perform any work due to their medical condition, this situation meets the criteria for total disability, thereby allowing them to access relevant benefits under their insurance policy. This concept is critical in determining eligibility for disability benefits and is a key factor in many policy definitions.

The other options typically describe aspects of disability but do not align with the conventional definition of total disability as understood in most insurance contexts. For instance, the inability to perform daily activities independently may refer to functional limitations but does not specifically address the work-related capacity necessary for assessing total disability benefits.