Disability Insurance

The chance that you will become disabled and unable to work are higher than you might think.  If you become disabled, obtaining payment of the benefits from a disability insurance company can sometimes prove to be a difficult task. Disability insurance claims may be denied because ailments are not covered, medical reports are not received, the pain is not severe enough to prevent working, etc... The carrier may even engage in improper claims handling practices to deny a claim, including "post-claims underwriting".

What can you do to increase your chances of receiving your disability benefits?

First, as soon as you know of your disability, file your claim. The longer you wait to let the insurer know, the better the chances are that it can deny your claim.

Second, make sure that you have a copy of your application and that any information that is on your application is truthful to the best of your knowledge. There may be inconsistencies that will need to be addressed, so make sure that you have answers when questions regarding those inconsistencies arise.

Third, make sure that you understand your policy and that your disability is in fact covered under the policy. Your doctor can provide you with a written explanation of your disability that you can present to your insurance agency.

Disability insurance companies often have an initial elimination period. If you are disabled at the end of this period, you are eligible to claim your benefits. If you are no longer disabled at the end of this period, there is no need for benefits to be dispersed. The shorter the period, the more expensive the policy.

You should make sure that you keep a copy of all  the correspondence with your insurance company. It is also a good idea to keep a journal of all the times you speak to the company. If you have phone conversations, follow up with a letter or email confirming the conversation. This way you have a record in the case that they later deny a statement to you which is material to your claim.

Don’t let your insurance company wrongfully deny your claim or pay you less than you are entitled under your disability policy. You pay premiums and deserve to receive your coverage if you become disabled.