In the course of assisting insureds with their disability claims, I’ve discovered, sometimes unfortunately, that having disability claims in combination with narcissistic outlooks and behaviors on the part of insureds, often cause claims to be untimely, and basically unworkable.
Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD F608) is a is a mental and nervous impairment in which a person is excessively preoccupied with personal adequacy, power, prestige and vanity, mentally unable to see the destructive damage they are causing to themselves and others. It is commonly identified as a cluster B personality disorder.
While I’ve assisted many insureds who are able to go out on disability with a primary diagnosis of NPD, that’s really not what I’m writing about today. I’m writing about professional insureds who probably haven’t been officially diagnosed as having NPD, but are in the process of applying for disability while exhibiting characteristics that are entirely opposed to successful claims.
I’m referring to various professionals – in my experience all males (but also can be females), who appear to be in the habit of getting what they want, when they want by coercing others to do what they say; and, using intimidation and sometimes aggressive conversation to convince others they are superior and deserve to “get” what they want, whenever they want. It’s as though some insureds are entirely used to moving people around on a chessboard in order to win at every junction. Narcissists feel very comfortable in telling others what to do and ordering them around.
Now, think about the above, and try to imagine how this type of personality is going to fit into a claims process that displays narcissistic tendencies on its own! Who do you think is going to win this match and come out on top?
When filing a disability claim, the typical narcissist expects his insurer to do what he wants and says within his own timeframe. All of my readers should know by now that disability insurers have required protocols and work within their own processes at their own pace. No insured will ever be allowed to dictate strategy to an insurance company, narcissist or not.
Narcissism also suggests that those with NPD often disrespect others and use manipulation to achieve what they want. Given my experience in disability claims, I can honestly say that it is not possible to manipulate insurers. In fact, narcissists who attempt to engage in manipulation with disrespectful dialogs are often pegged as “crazy, and should be on mental and nervous claim status.”
My point is, that “narcissism”, whether officially diagnosed or not diagnosed at all, usually works against having successful claims, because insureds are NOT regarded as the highest priority within the claims review process, but profitability at their expense is. It is very hard at times for an NPD affected insured to understand why disability insurers are not at their beck and call and doing what they want them to do.
Here are some of the things NPDs try with insurers that never work:
- Pay the claim now. Don’t take your time, I need the money now, so pay the claim now. (And, I’m going to call you every day until you do.)
- I’ve paid premium all these years so you (the insurer) should pay my claim.
- I want my insurer to pay my claim on my own terms. (Example: it doesn’t matter that I can go to the gym and lift 100 lbs. – pay me.)
- I’m going to make them pay my claim by calling in my chits from those who will have influence with the company.
- If a representative or attorney is involved: “You’re not doing enough.” “Are you going to help me or what?” “Why aren’t you doing something to get me my money?” etc.
- Insistence that everything about the claims process must be on their terms.
- Rudeness and disrespect directed toward claims handlers and advocates when he/she doesn’t get what they want, when they want it.
- I can send in my application whenever I want and my insurer will have to pay me. Or, I’m only going to respond to the insurer on my own terms.
- “I decided to stop working. How dare you tell me I’m not disabled when my doctors say I am?”
While I could go on with this list, I think you get the point. Narcissistic Personality Disorder makes the claims process much harder than it needs to be simply because insureds fail to accept their rightful place within the claims process and work with it.
Also, many of the successful tactics used to ensure payable disability claims involves, negotiation, patience, positioning and a willingness to work through the insurance protocols or processes. Narcissists often lack these qualities.
In my opinion I believe that at some point NPD individuals should seek treatment if it becomes obvious that how they deal with people is not working for them and is causing problems with their jobs and/or relationships. In addition, when it becomes obvious that narcissistic tendencies are causing abuse to others, it may be time to seek help.
Bottom line, narcissistic personality types usually have a very hard time with disability insurers because insurance companies do not set priorities to do what insureds demand they do.
NPD types have to work within the same system as everyone else, and although it makes them red-faced furious, well…….I can just hear some VP of claims somewhere saying, “That’s just too damn bad.”
