Denied Claims for Berkshire Life Disability Income Insurance
Berkshire / Guardian Disability Income Claims Attorney
If your Berkshire Life disability claim has been denied, board certified disability insurance attorney Marc Whitehead can help. Our law firm represents professionals in their fight for benefits when billion dollar insurance companies such as Berkshire unfairly deny legitimate claims for private DI insurance.
Berkshire Life Insurance Company merged with the Guardian Life Insurance Company of America in 2001. Now titled Berkshire Life Insurance Company Of America, this insurer underwrites all Guardian Life individual disability income (DI) insurance policies.
If you privately purchased and own a policy from Berkshire / Guardian, you may be familiar with the plans named The Berkshire ProVider Plus Disability Plan. These policies focus on own-occupation disability insurance. The DI policies are primarily targeting high-earning individuals who need to protect themselves and their families, in the event their income stopped due to sickness or injury. The DI is marketed to professionals and white collar occupations such as dentists, physicians, accountants, executives and key corporate personnel.
The ProVider Plus disability income plans generally cover
- Own-occupation – You are protected if you can no longer perform the “material and substantial duties” of your own occupation due to sickness or injury, even if you are able to do some other kind of work.
- Non-cancellable and guaranteed renewable to age 65. As long as premiums are paid on time, premium rates and policy terms will stay the same. These are typically portable policies, so that if you change employers you can take the policy with you.
- Optional Benefit Riders – various riders are offered that, when added to a policy, provides extra protection.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-562-9830
How Does Berkshire Life Deny Disability Income Claims?
They may argue that you have a “dual occupation” – an unfortunate tactic frequently applied by insurance companies against medical and corporate professionals who return to work in a capacity different than their “own occupation.” For example, a doctor may practice surgery requiring a certain skill set, and then becomes disabled due to a back injury. Now the physician is only able to work with and diagnose patients in an office setting.
In such cases, providers of individual disability insurance such as Berkshire often elect to terminate benefits or switch from total disability to a residual disability claim, saying a claimant is no longer totally disabled and is able to earn substantial income. Yet, occupational disability policies are designed to compensate against loss of capacity to work in their own occupation, not against loss of income.
Other claim denials include cases of questionable policy interpretations, and failing to take appropriate action on claims. Berkshire is known to make persistent demands for additional information regarding claims, including medical records and financial statements. Berkshire also may not be forthcoming with your own claim file. These and other behaviors are without question an overwhelming burden upon a disabled claimant.
We Represent Disability Income Denials Across the U.S.
Marc Whitehead & Associates can assist you in these cases. We are knowledgeable in disability insurance law and have assisted hundreds of claimants across the country in their fight to win the benefits they have paid for and deserve.
If you choose our firm to represent you, our first step is to appeal your denied claim to your insurance carrier for reconsideration.
We will help you work with medical and vocational experts, CPAs and other specialists who are knowledgeable about the activities and requirements of specialized medical practices and many other professions. We are here to take the burden of extensive documentation and paperwork off of your shoulders.
We make every effort to obtain benefits prior to litigation. Insurers often elect to settle a claim upon the threat of litigation or the actual filing of a lawsuit.
Click to contact our disability lawyers today
When Insurance Bad Faith Happens, Call Marc Whitehead
If Berkshire has denied DI protection after a legitimate claim for benefits, our national law firm is prepared to help.
Contact us without delay for a free consultation about securing the benefits you deserve. There is no charge for an initial consultation, regardless of how long it takes. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day.
Toll Free: (800) 562-9830
Phone: (713) 228-8888
We represent individuals suffering from many medical conditions. Our law firm is ready to review your Berkshire Life disability claim and respond to your request for legal assistance.
Call or text 800-562-9830 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form