Disability insurance policies are purchased to cover loss of income and other expenses should you become unable to work for an extended period due to a debilitating illness or injury. When you purchase individual disability insurance, you enter into a contract with the insurance company. As long as you pay your premiums on time, the insurance company promises to cover specified expenses after you become disabled.

Unfortunately, insurance providers do not always honor their agreement, often writing ambiguous and confusing contractual terms into policies that allow them to interpret their responsibilities in a way that ensures their profitability at your expense. In addition, many insurance providers use deceptive tactics to delay and deny legitimate claims, thus putting the burden of proof for your claim on you.

The South Florida disability insurance attorneys at Blaut Weiss have extensive experience challenging insurance companies and recovering the financial compensation to which disability insurance policyholders are entitled and need. If your claim has been unfairly denied, call Blaut Weiss at 954.634.1800, to help you evaluate your case.

WHAT IS PRIVATE DISABILITY INSURANCE?

Disability insurance is generally intended to cover any injury or ailment that renders you unable to perform your occupational duties. This may include permanent physical injuries, neurological disorders, degenerative diseases, chronic illnesses or cognitive impairments. The more benefits a policy offers, the higher the premiums usually are, and individuals pay these premiums to ensure that they are taken care of if a serious injury or illness occurs.

An important distinction between group disability insurance and private disability insurance is that while group disability insurance will replace your lost income, private disability insurance plans usually provide payouts when you lose your ability to work in your specific occupation.

Blaut Weiss represents a variety of professionals whose disability insurance claims were denied, including:

• Doctors
• Dentists
• Mental health professionals
• Lawyers
• Executives
• Certified Public Accountants
• Business owners
• Architects

WHEN INSURANCE COMPANIES REFUSE TO PAY

Some insurance companies will do anything to avoid paying a claim. Some tactics used by insurance companies include:

• Claiming that you had a preexisting condition related to your disability
• Attempting to retroactively cancel your policy
• Making unreasonable requests that you submit to specific medical testing
• Relying on evidence by their “independent” medical examiner
• Asking that you submit tax records from years past
• Hiring a private investigator to follow you around in order to claim fraud or deny your claim on unsubstantiated grounds
• Misclassifying injuries and/or insisting your medical condition is pre-existing
• Denying your medical records and/or claiming you lack "objective medical evidence"
• Only making partial payments on disability claims
• Concealing benefits from policyholders
• Insisting you are able to work in another occupation

Suffering a disabling injury or illness can be stressful enough for you and your family, but forcing you to cope with rapidly mounting medical expenses and insurance company challenges is unconscionable.

When a disability insurance company delays or denies your claim based on a technicality or the questionable interpretation of its own policies, the dedicated disability insurance attorneys at Blaut Weiss may be able to help you recover the compensation you rightfully deserve.

If you believe you or a family member was wrongfully denied a disability insurance claim, please contact the experienced disability insurance attorneys at Blaut Weiss. To learn more about your legal options or to schedule a free consultation with Blaut Weiss, call us at 954.634.1800, to evaluate your case.