What does the definition of disability mean in own-occupation versus modified-own-occupation policies?

The disability definition determines when your policy actually pays. True own-occupation pays benefits if you cannot perform the duties of your specific profession, even if you take a different job earning income; a surgeon who can no longer operate but starts teaching still collects. Modified (or transitional) own-occupation pays if you cannot do your own occupation and are not working in another gainful job; taking new work reduces or ends benefits. Any-occupation, the strictest, pays only if you cannot work in any job suited to your training, so it rarely pays professionals. Own-occupation costs more but offers the strongest protection for specialists whose skills do not transfer. Read the exact wording, since carriers use similar labels for meaningfully different definitions.