I think you would be surprised to hear how many times I receive phone calls from Unum insureds who are so scared they believe Unum will “do something to them”, or “harass them”, even when there is no more claim, Plan or policy.
Just yesterday I received a call from a woman recently turned 65 years of age who asked me “what Unum could do to her now that her claim had reached maximum duration.” I really feel bad for Unum’s insureds when it’s apparent they are so scared about Unum even after the claim is ended.
Unum has always been an aggressive insurance company going back to Unum’s incorporation in the mid-80’s. Apparently, Unum was reported to be “not so bad” when its organization was still a mutual stock company, but once incorporated, the company changed from “Lighthouse to the world” to “America’s outhouse.”
Unum’s claims management strategies, including rude and biased phone calls have justly earned the company a reputation of unfair claims practices, and illegitimate claim denials. There is sufficient information on the Internet to publicaly discredit the company, and put fear into those who need benefits to support their families.
Therefore, allow me to explain. The only relationship any claimant or insured has to Unum is/was represented as written directly in the Plan or policy. Whatever Unum did, or will do to insureds ends when the claim, and/or policy ends, including when claims are “settled with a lump sum.” Unum’s so-called authority extends only to what is written in the Plan or policy. When claims reach maximum duration, or are settled, Unum’s authority to do anything goes away. It is done with you, and you are done with it.
Another way of looking at this is that Unum has no reason to spend money surveilling, or investigating you when they have NO liability for the claim. In fact, that would be pretty stupid of Unum to do that. Unum is more than happy to be absolutely done with you, and won’t ever bother you again once a claim or policy ends. Again, this includes settlements.
But, think about this for a moment. The fact that an insurance company can consistently, and persistently scare people to the point of panic after a claims ends is pretty astounding. How do they do that?
First, Unum reminds insureds in nearly every letter that “if they don’t do what the letter asks”, claims will be denied. Unum’s power of holding “the dollar purse strings” is a constant reminder that Unum (or any other insurance company) has power over you and can make or break your family financially. Living with fear for years drives insureds to living in constant panic states to the point of actually believing the company can continue to harass even when the policy and claim are gone.
Second, Unum never gives up. Letters flow out to insureds on a regular basis and insureds are never given any peace or security about their claims. It’s a constant battle of proving one’s disability, not being believed, and proving it again and again.
If there are no longer any claims, or Plans or policies in force, insureds are free from the constant fear of Unum and “what it can do to you.” When you sign your name on the lump-sum settlement line, Unum is more than happy to see you go, and you should be just as happy to be out from under the Unum tyranny.
Once your Plan or policy ends, or you agree to settle your claim, Unum is done and you are free to live a quality of life that you want. No more looking over your shoulder, or dreading that “fireball in the night” denial call. Enough is enough already, be happy, and don’t be afraid of the hungry vulture anymore!
