Now that insureds are more and more managing their own claims, I see them making so many mistakes bringing them to my door anyway. Some things I can fix, others aren’t fixable.
Here are the most common mistakes insureds make with their own disability claims, sometimes to their own demise.
- Taking yourself out of work. In my opinion I don’t think most insureds realize they can’t do that. Only a qualified physician can recommend, then document, cessation of work. There’s a whole procedure for this prior to leaving work.
- Not knowing how to defend the provisions in your Plan or Policy. Some ERISA claimants don’t ever obtain copies of their policies, and non-ERISA insureds have no idea what the provisions mean. You can’t defend what you don’t know, and no one should be writing letters to insurers without citations from the Plan or Policy that support what you say. Basically, you don’t know, what you don’t know, and cannot possibly support contract provisions.
- Not doing what the insurance company asks you to do. While most insureds realize “this is not their show” some actually become obstinate and refused to submit, for example signed Authorizations. If you don’t submit updated paperwork including signed Authorizations, claims will be denied. Period. Another is, “no physician paperwork, no claim.” Some insureds would do well to remember this.
- Speaking to insurance reps on the phone. Given the fact that claims handlers are trained to “one up you” speaking with them on the phone is not a good idea. Despite this best practice, many insureds ignore my advice and call them any way.
Don’t take any action or engage in any communication when you don’t know what you’re doing. This is really good advice. Any, by the way, attorneys often don’t know what they’re doing either. Be careful.
