“Objective Evidence” and Long-Term Disability Denials in Vancouver

Posted on by David Goldberg Posted in Long-Term DisabilityTagged , ,

If your long-term disability claim in Vancouver has been denied for “lack of objective evidence,” you are not alone. That phrase appears in denial letters from all the big insurance companies constantly. It sounds authoritative, but in many cases it is being used too broadly, too rigidly, or without proper attention to the actual wording of the policy and the real-world nature of the disabling condition. Courts have repeatedly recognized that many legitimate disabilities do not show up neatly on an x-ray, MRI, or blood test. Chronic pain, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, post-concussion symptoms, depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric conditions can be profoundly disabling even when the insurer says the evidence is “subjective.”

What matters in a British Columbia long-term disability claim is not whether the insurer can point to a perfect lab result. The real question is whether the available evidence proves that, because of … Continue reading

Bad Faith In Insurance Denials

Posted on by Ben Tarnow Posted in Insurance Denials, Life Insurance Claim Denials, Long-Term Disability, Critical Illness Claim DenialsTagged

An insurance company and their insured have a special relationship of utmost good faith. That’s why when a legitimate insurance claim is denied, people are often left frustrated and unable to understand why “their” insurance company would do this to them. Insurance denials can arise in all forms of insurance claims, including long-term disability (LTD) insurance claims insurance, life insurance claims, and critical illness insurance claims insurance, amongst others.

When an insurance claim is denied in bad faith, it can have significant implications for both the insurance company and the insured. However, understanding what qualifies as a bad faith insurance denial is not always as straightforward as it may seem. In Canada, insurers are also subject to regulatory oversight that requires them to handle claims fairly and in good faith, as outlined by the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC), which provides guidance on consumer rights and insurer obligations… Continue reading

Can I Travel While on Long-Term Disability?

Posted on by Brian Jacobson Posted in Long-Term DisabilityTagged

Just because you are on long-term (LTD) disability doesn’t mean you aren’t allowed to still live your life to the fullest. Traveling can be an enriching experience, allowing individuals to explore new places, cultures and create lasting memories. However, for individuals on long-term disability, before you make travel plans you should carefully consider the question of how it could impact your long-term disability claim, benefits eligibility, and ongoing obligations. 

Review Your LTD Insurance Policy

Your ability to travel while on long-term disability can depend on various factors, however the most important two are usually the terms of your long-term disability insurance policy and the nature of your disability.

All insurance policies can differ, however many LTD insurance policies include specific restrictions on travel, such as limitations on the duration or type of travel permitted. The nature of these limitations can differ, with some policies only having language dealing with out-of-country … Continue reading

Understanding Long-Term Disability Insurance Premium Waivers

Posted on by David Goldberg Posted in Long-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Insurance DenialsTagged , , ,

What Is a Premium Waiver in Long-Term Disability Insurance?

Long-term disability (LTD) insurance policies exist as a safety net for individuals if, through accident or illness, they become unable to perform their duties of employment. As with other types of insurance, in order to keep your policy in good standing premiums need to be paid on it, whether monthly or yearly.

But what happens when an insured is rendered disabled from work and unable to afford to pay their ongoing insurance premiums? The answer is a long-term disability premium waiver. 

In many policies, this waiver is triggered once the insured meets the plan’s definition of “total disability” under their LTD policy, at which point the insurer temporarily suspends premium payments while coverage remains in force. Although the specific criteria vary by policy, the concept aligns broadly with how disability is understood in public programs, which generally require a severe and … Continue reading

Denied Long-Term Disability Claims for Financial Advisers: Why It Happens and How We Help

Posted on by Kevin Blair Posted in Long-Term Disability, Return-to-Work ProgramTagged , ,

Financial advisers, whether you call yourself an advisor, planner, investment or wealth manager, work in roles that are cognitively demanding, highly regulated, and client-facing. When illness or injury keeps you from performing at the level the job requires, long-term disability (LTD) benefits are supposed to be the safety net. Too often, they aren’t.

If your claim has been wrongly denied or terminated the insurance denial lawyers at Taylor & Blair LLP can help.

Why financial advisers face unique disability challenges

At first glance, insurers view advisory work as “sedentary”. Insurance companies focus on the ability to sit at a computer or make calls, and they minimize the core demands of your actual occupation which are sustained concentration, complex risk analysis, relationship management, sales pressure, compliance documentation, and continuous learning.

Many conditions that are disabling to financial advisers don’t show up on an X-ray. Depression, anxiety, burnout, PTSD-like symptoms after workplace … Continue reading