There are many things you should not say to your Long Term Disability Insurance Claims Representative. Here’s what to avoid in order to obtain a successful claim.
An individual or group long term disability insurance policy is purchased to protect your financial well being when an injury or illness renders you unable to perform the important duties of your occupation. Unfortunately, insurance companies make this process overly complicated and there are many pitfalls along the way when filing Long Term Disability insurance claims.
A common mistake disabled claimants make is telling their claim representatives the wrong things. You may have to participate in phone interviews with your insurance company and possibly undergo an independent medical examination by a medical doctor which the insurance company chooses. The doctor may not specialize in the field of medicine which would be appropriate for the evaluation of your functional capacity. The claims representative and/or the doctor may use innocuous statements made by you in order to deny your claim.
An attorney from Herbert M. Hill, P.A. can help you navigate these common pitfalls by taking over the communication between you and the insurance company and its agents. In the meantime, there are a few communications to avoid when communicating with your claim representative.
Financial Situation
When answering questions regarding your personal life, it is best to leave your financial status out of the conversation. If the insurance company is aware that you are experiencing hardships as a result of your disabled status, they can and will use this against you. Your bargaining power is much reduced when the insurance company is aware that your back is up against the wall. This includes your living situation, other benefits you may receive, the dependence on you by other family members, and the list goes on.
Issues with Your Employer
When you explain why your disability makes you unable to ably perform the material and substantial duties of your occupation, it can be easy
to steer into drift into other employment-related issues. It is important not to give the impression that you just want to quit your job and by obtaining disability benefits, you would be able to solve your workplace issues. Disagreements between you and your boss or co-workers, recent job post or duty changes, and other unfair treatment are some of these taboo topics.
More importantly, you should focus your comments on why your disability makes it difficult or impossible to reliably perform the material duties of your occupation with reasonable continuity and in the usual and customary way.
Long Term Disability Claims: Travel Plans
Individual and group long-term disability insurance claims representatives believe that disabled people should never take vacations. This opinion comes from a financial and disability standpoint. Representatives raise their eyebrows when they hear about travel plans. For one, you may create suspicion that you’re funding the vacation with your anticipated individual or group disability benefits. Unsurprisingly, adjusters won’t bother to ask whether you booked and paid for the non-refundable cost of your vacation long before your disability. Additionally, vacations and other travel create the impression that you are functionally capable of undertaking the travel and this usually creates the illusion that you will be participating in idealistic vacation activities which are usually rather active.
If you have any questions about your Short Term disability or Long Term disability claim, please give Herbert M. Hill, P.A. a call and we would be glad to answer any questions you may have. We are available by phone at our office, or you can fill out our online contact form. 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 located in Orlando, Florida with a practice extending throughout the state of Florida. While the vast majority of cases handled are for disability insurance benefits, areas of practice include employee benefit claims of all sorts. The firm handles any claims arising under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) for disability benefits, medical benefits, retirement benefits of any sort, including pension, 401k, termination agreements or the like as well as claims arising under private disability policies.
