Personal Injury Law

Long and Short Term Disability Insurance - Knowing when to see a lawyer

By Steve Lombardi

Question: IS THERE ANY WRONG DOING WHEN YOUR LTD INSURANCE (Unum) DOES NOT GIVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DIAGNOSIS, REASON TO CHANGE DIAGNOSIS, QUESTIONS RE ABBREVIATIONS IN POLICY AND LETTERS, NO RULES THEY HAVE TO GO BY, NO SPECIFIC REASON GIVEN SO AS TO HELP WITH THE APPEAL?

Answer: If I understand your question, the answer would appear to be, yes there is something wrong with an insurance company essentially denying your coverage or terminating your disability coverage and not conveying to your the basis of that denial or termination. If you were covered by the policy and paid your premiums the insurance policy is a contract. The terms of the contract should explain how to proceed. Insurance contracts are difficult to understand and it's not unusual for terms to need to be interpreted. So my suggestion is to get a lawyer involved.

If I understand your question, the answer would appear to be,no there is nothing wrong with asking theinsurance company to explain why they are denying your coverage or terminating your disability coverage. If you were covered by the policy and paid your premiums the insurance policy is a contract. The terms of the contract should explain how to proceed. Insurance contracts are difficult to understand and it's not unusual for terms to need to be interpreted. So my suggestion is to get a lawyer involved. Take a copy of the policy, all correspondence and medical records with you to the lawyer's office. Don't expect an answer that day. The lawyer will have to review all documents before providing advice. If you are able, drop off all documentation a few days ahead of your scheduled appointment.

Full post as published by Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer on August 02, 2008 (boomark / email).