As the years I have been handling short term disability and American Fidelity long term disability benefits claims have turned into decades and now into scores of years, I thought maybe I had gotten to the point where I can faithfully say to my clients that I have dealt every insurance company on every issue which might arise. Now I know a run on sentence when I write one but the truth remains- every now and then a new insurance company pops up. I can tell my clients over the years that we have handled hundreds of claims against each of the well known companies- MetLife, Prudential, Cigna, Life Insurance Company of North America, Aetna, Standard, Reliance Standard, Lincoln and many others.
Are You Insured By The American Fidelity Assurance Company?
Just now, I have reviewed for the first time a policy from American Fidelity Assurance Company, or “American Fidelity” as it has branded itself. The Florida records demonstrate this is a for-profit corporation primarily located in Oklahoma City. It is authorized to do business in the state of Florida and has been so since 1984. It is, as are all insurance companies, subject to the Florida Department of Insurance and the Division of Corporations in terms of remaining so authorized.
Now, while we may have a new insurance company, that does not mean there are any new issues for the wary claimant. The American Fidelity
policy is very similar in form to other companies’ policies and offers no unusual provisions, at least when compared to the thousands of such polices reviewed by the undersigned over the years. It has every one of the usual potholes in it, designed to preclude payment of the benefits for which premiums were so faithfully paid. The policy does have the more favorable schedule of benefits in terms of the benefit period running through the Social Security Normal Retirement Age. However, it uses an artificial date for the termination of coverage to avoid payment of benefits. It also has the usual limitations on pre-existing conditions and evidences the industry’s continued bias against claims based on psychological medical conditions.
Was Your Claim Denied By American Fidelity Assurance Company?
Any questions about your American Fidelity Long Term Disability insurance policy, or your Short Term Disability or Long Term Disability claims in general, please give us a call at 407-839-0005 or, toll free, 844-454-5995, You can visit our website at www.herbertmhill.com. And communicate with us there, if you would like. After discussing your case, we can set a conference. In most circumstances, that conference would be free of charge but in no circumstance would you be under any obligation to hire me nor would you feel any pressure from me to do so.
Herbert M. Hill, P.A. is a law firm with offices located in Orlando, Florida with a practice extending throughout the Southeastern United States.
