The different definitions in the USA

These are examples of the three most prevalent definitionsof disability in USA and Canada:

Pure own occupation

Due to accident or sickness, the inability to perform the material and substantial duties of your occupation.

Modified own occupation

Due to accident or sickness, the inability to perform the material and substantial duties of your occupation, and you are not working.

Any occupation

Due to accident or sickness, the inability to perform the material and substantial duties of any occupation you are reasonably suited by your education, training, and experience.

Each of these variations is combined with the following: "you are under the care of a physician appropriate to the treatment of the condition causing disability".

Companies that use the "any occupation" definition often feature the "own occupation" definition for the first two to five years of disability, and revert to the "any occupation" definition afterwards.