Long-term disability policies usually pay out monthly benefits to employees who have been affected by a disability and are unable to perform their job duties as a result of the medical complications. Because the process of filing for disability benefits can be somewhat confusing, time-consuming, and even frustrating, this informative guide will help simplify the process and help you avoid some common mistakes that can negatively affect your claim.
Understand And Analyze Your Policy Details
You should initially obtain the specific details of your policy before you even consider filing your claim. If you have been provided cover by your employer you will be able to access the policy details through the human resources department of the company, alternatively, if you have purchased your own insurance policy you may need to contact your insurer to obtain a copy of the plan description for your policy if you do not already have one. Once you have received a copy of the details you should carefully analyze the policy specifics to fully understand what benefits you may be entitled to. To better understand the complete process, this video explains common mistakes that people make while filing for disability benefits. Also check with a high-value VA disability claims expert before you submit your paperwork.
Limitations And Exclusions
Most long-term disability plans exclude benefits for individuals who are claiming as a result of pre-existing conditions, which defines conditions that you may have received treatment for within a certain time period prior to purchasing the policy. However, you will need to confirm all the exclusions of your policy carefully before filing for a claim as certain conditions are often not covered by policies even if they are not pre-existing, such as drug abuse, alcohol addiction, and suicide attempts. Furthermore, you should consider that all policies usually restrict the time in which you may file for disability benefits, which means that you will need to file within a certain time to avoid your claim being rejected.
Why You Need Medical Evidence To Support Your Claim
You will need to include your medical records as well as the opinions of your medical practitioners as evidence to support your claim. Without medical evidence, it is most likely that your claim will be rejected. It is crucial to consult your doctor to provide an opinion with regard to your limitations to stand as medical evidence. However, it is vital to go over your claim and your supporting documents to ensure that all your records are as accurate as possible as any inaccurate pieces of information will negatively affect your claim. It would be a great idea to go over your file with your doctor to make necessary corrections to ensure everything is accurate.
The Importance Of Comparing Insurance Policies Beforehand
One of the most common mistakes when purchasing disability insurance is not comparing different policies from different insurers as this often results in unfortunate issues later on when the policy is needed, which is a common mistake with most types of insurance. Don’t make the mistake of buying into an insurance policy that will not be able to provide you with suitable cover when you need it most. Comparing policies is as important as assessing the details of each policy before purchasing one.
