When you submit a claim for long-term disability benefits under your group or a private disability insurance plan, it is likely that the insurance company will want to learn more about your condition and the reasons behind your inability to work and will give you a call to discuss. Unfortunately, the primary aim of the insurance company in this process is to find any information that can be used as an excuse to deny your claim. Therefore, it is crucial to be very cautious when speaking to the insurance representative on the phone. Use simple, factual descriptions of your limitations, and do not exaggerate the severity of your disability.
An attorney for long-term disability claims from Marc Whitehead & Associates, Attorneys at Law, LLP, is dedicated to ensuring our clients get the disability benefits they deserve. We can put your mind at ease with some simple guidelines for your interview.
The experienced Long-Term Disability claims attorneys here at Marc Whitehead & Associates are all too familiar with these tactics. Hopefully, the simple guidelines below will help to put your mind at ease during your interview.
What You Should Not Say
Applicants for long-term disability benefits might hurt their case if they inadvertently respond in ways that undercut the information they submitted in their claims.
When it is time for your interview, be careful about the following:
- Admitting that you could do some work notwithstanding your disability — It is human nature to downplay the severity of problems or to appear strong regardless of a disability. However, any suggestion that you can work despite your disability will adversely affect your claim.
- Overplaying the severity of your disability — Do not exaggerate when describing your disability. Use simple, factual descriptions of your limitations.
- Telling an interviewer that you are not under a physician’s care for your disability – You should not stop your appointments with doctors and therapists, even if you see little or no progress as a result of their treatments. The interviewer will want to see that you are getting professional help to improve your condition.
- Using vague or general terms to describe your disability – Even if your disability causes pain throughout your body, describe specifically how your disability, for example, limits movements of your joints, prevents you from walking or standing for extended periods, or prevents you from concentrating on your regular job tasks,
- Adding irrelevant information to answers or failing to answer the questionUsing vague or general terms to describe your disabilitys that you are asked – Listen carefully to questions and take as much time as you need to formulate a response before you begin speaking. Do not refer to problems with your family, drug or alcohol dependence, or interactions with law enforcement authorities unless those matters are directly relevant to the question.
- Being less than truthful – Examiners and investigators are well-versed in drawing out the truth during interviews. If you try to hide something, your credibility will be questioned, and your claim will likely be denied.
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Your interviewer will ask some general background questions, then get into your work history, medical issues, your disability, and how it limits your ability to do your job. When you hire Marc Whitehead & Associates to assist you with your application, not only will we communicate with the insurance company to schedule the interview at a time that is most convenient for you, but we will thoroughly prepare you for the interview and. and one of our experienced long-term disability attorneys will participate as well.
Please call our offices for a free consultation. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront or out-of-pocket fees. We only get paid if you do.
Call or text 800-562-9830 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
