When
an individual makes a claim for disability insurance they seldom
understand and appreciate what needs to be done to protect their rights
under the insurance policy. There are many different types of
disability policies which provide varying degrees of benefits. The
insurance company will conduct a thorough review and investigation of
any claim that involves the payments of substantial benefits.
Everything that a claimant says and does from the time that a claim is
submitted is critical in obtaining the benefits promised in the
insurance policy. Many claimants unknowingly prejudice their rights by
simply filling out the claim forms required by the insurance company.
Edward E. Wallace, ESQ. says that filing
a successful disability claim can
actually be more difficult than most
people realize.
Most claimants mistakenly believe that the insurance company will
simply review the medical records of their treating physician and
determine that they are disabled. However, most treating doctors
do not understand disability insurance and they can inadvertently
prejudice their patients' rights if they are not educated about the
specific issues that need to be addressed. Almost no claimants actually
review what has been said by the treating physician in the medical
records and understand how it can affect their claim.
The insurance company knows precisely what is it is looking for and has
many opportunities to discover facts that can be used to deny coverage.
Insurance companies often require the claimant to have a medical
examination by a doctor that they selected. The insurance company
doctors are familiar with the issues which are critical to coverage
under a disability policy. An insurance company adjuster may also
conduct an unannounced visit to interview the claimant to obtain facts
to deny coverage. The insurance company may conduct a review and audit
of your accountant's records. In some cases, the insurance company may
conduct video surveillance of the claimant.
The claimant only needs
to make one mistake in what they say to significantly prejudice their
ability to recover under the policy.
When an
individual makes a claim for disability insurance they should retain a
knowledgeable attorney or consultant as soon as possible to help them
understand the issues and protect their interests.
Contact us today for a free consultation on the merits of your
claim.
