Hopefully, it doesn’t happen, but sadly, it is much more common than you think. People file a claim for long-term disability benefits. So, what should you do if that happens? Let’s take a look.
Understand Why Your Long-Term Disability Claim Was Denied
If your long-term disability claim is denied, then chances are that the insurance company will tell you why this happened. You should receive a letter or a phone call.
If you are not told why your claim has been denied, you have the right to call the company and ask why it was denied.
In almost all cases, it is something relatively minor. You may need to submit the proper evidence, for instance. In rare cases, the insurance company may not believe you have a long-term disability. That will be trickier to deal with.
Armed with the information about why your claim was denied, you can move on through the process.
Contact A Lawyer
If your claim has been denied, then it is highly recommended that you talk to a long-term disability lawyer. Their job will be to work out whether a claim can be made.
Remember, a lawyer has experience dealing with insurance companies for this type of claim. They will know what to do and what can be said to boost the chances of your claim’s acceptance.
Most lawyers will not require payment upfront for their services. Instead, they will take a chunk of what you get from a successful claim. Although, of course, it is always worth talking to the lawyer beforehand, so you know what is expected of you here.
Ask Your Lawyer To Speak To The Insurance Company
Once you have retained the services of a lawyer, we suggest that they become the person who talks to the insurance company.
Once again, we want to reiterate that this is the lawyer’s job. They will know what to do and what can be said to these insurance companies. This means they have a greater chance of helping you succeed with your insurance claim.
Most insurance companies tend to be a bit more ‘strict’ when dealing with customers directly (as the customers have no legal knowledge), but lawyers do.
Follow The Lawyer’s Advice
As your lawyer talks to the insurance company, they will learn more about why your claim was denied. They will also learn more about what you can do to fix the claim.
Because of this, your lawyer will start throwing a ton of information at you about your insurance claim. You must listen to them. They may ask you to gain additional evidence. They may ask you to sign documents, etc.
Everything your lawyer tells you will be helping towards you make a successful claim. A lawyer is unlikely to take on a case like this when they cannot win, mainly because they only get paid if you do win. This means that if the lawyer is telling you to do something, then do it quickly. It means that you are much more likely to get your payout quickly.
Final Thoughts
Having a long-term disability claim denied can be devastating, but it isn’t the end of the world. If you have a genuine long-term disability and an active insurance policy, you will likely be able to make a successful claim eventually. It may be worth retaining the services of a lawyer to increase your odds of making a successful claim, though.