Own Occupation Period vs. Any Occupation Period – The Devil Is In The Definitions

Posted on by Graham Taylor Posted in Insurance Denials, Long-Term Disability

When it comes to client’s who have been denied their long-term disability benefits, we have many that when they first contact us are surprised that their own insurance company would treat them so unfairly.  They believe that since they have been paying their insurance premiums for however many years that their insurance company would fight on their behalf to ensure they obtained access to the disability benefits they are entitled to.  Nothing could be further from the truth.

At the end of the day the insurance company has only three considerations when it comes to their operations.  The first is: take in as much money as possible.  The second: pay out as little money as possible.  A far distant third consideration is: try not to get sued.  Concepts of “fairness” do not come into the equation.  The relationship between an insured individual and their insurance company is a strictly … Continue reading

The Important Role Of Doctors In Obtaining Long-Term Disability Benefits

Posted on by Ben Tarnow Posted in Insurance Denials, Life Insurance Claim Denials

All long-term disability policies require a medical report to be approved.  For many people the obvious choice for a medical report is their family doctor as these doctors often have a long history with their patients and are familiar with their physical and mental health history, which is often important in long-term disability applications.  Most family doctors are passionate about caring for their patients and want to help their patients when they can and gladly assist their patients in applying for long-term disability benefits if it will help them at the end of the day.

However, your long-term disability application isn’t about what is good for you or what you or your doctor would like, it’s about the insurance company’s obligations under the terms of your insurance policy.  It is a strictly contractual relationship, and you can be sure that the insurance company won’t provide you any benefits they … Continue reading

Long COVID & Long-Term Disability

Posted on by Graham Taylor Posted in Long COVID, Insurance Denials, Long-Term Disability

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020 most of the news surrounding the virus was focused on the number of hospitalizations and death that resulted from COVID-19 infections.  Over the years as the COVID-19 virus has been better understood and immunity has increased with the roll out of the vaccines and from natural immunity, it has become clear that COVID-19 will be with us for the foreseeable future and the new focus of COVID-19 has become those infected that end up with long-term symptoms, often called Long COVID.

Symptoms of Long COVID

Long COVID is more common than most people think with one study showing that 15% of Canadians infected with COVID-19 end up suffering from long-term symptoms.  Unfortunately, COVID-19 is still not well understood and how and why the various symptoms occur is still a mystery for the most part.  Long COVID symptoms are incredibly varied and require … Continue reading

Mortgage Protection Insurance Denials

Posted on by David Goldberg Posted in Insurance Denials, Mortgage Protection Insurance Denials

Taylor & Blair LLP was recently featured on the Advocate Daily where Kevin Blair discussed Mortgage Protection Insurance Denials. 

For those lucky enough to have one, most people’s largest asset is their house, and their largest debt is their mortgage.  For Canadians in general, and Vancouverites in specific, the cost of housing and the size of mortgages have ballooned to the point where they are some of the highest in the world.  With the recent interest rate hikes many British Columbians are worried about being able to meet their mortgage obligations.  It is not just a varied market that can stop people from meeting their mortgage payments, quite often an unexpected injury or illness, or even a death can prevent individuals from being able to afford their mortgage payments.  Fortunately, there is a type of insurance to deal with these situations: mortgage protection insurance.

What Is Mortgage Protection Insurance

… Continue reading

What To Do If Your Life Insurance Claim Is Denied?

Posted on by Brian Jacobson Posted in Insurance Denials, Life Insurance Claim Denials

The Insurance World – What is Insurable?

The insurance industry is a global one that is interconnected throughout most countries, industries, and activities of daily life the world over.  Something that happens in the Eastern hemisphere could have implications on insurance companies in the Western hemisphere.  This may seem complicated but when you boil it down to basics for insurance companies it is as simple as “take in as much money as we can” and “pay out as little money as possible”.

Insurance companies insure individuals and businesses for a multitude of things, including:

  • Insurance for Homeowners
  • Insurance for Automobiles
  • Insurance for Disability
  • Insurance for Travel
  • Insurance for Businesses
  • Insurance for Critical Illness
  • Insurance for Renters
  • Insurance for Identity Theft
  • Insurance for Data Breaches

This insurance money to pay out claims around the world comes from the same “pot” and when the insurance company notices the overall funds available to … Continue reading