Does the "Own Occupation" Change of Definition Point Mean Your Benefits Are Maxed Out?
Change Of Definition to your policy
You're in the middle of a Long Term Disability Claim and you receive a letter from your insurance company. This letter states that there has been a Change of Definition to your policy from "Own Occupation" to "Any Occupation".
You are not a lawyer and none of this makes any sense. It appears like your insurance benefits are about to be taken away. What do you do now?
In a long term disability claim, quite often during the first 24 months of receiving disability, benefits are payable if you are unable to work at your "own occupation." After 24 months your insurance company may notify you that your benefits are now payable only if you cannot work at "any occupation" for which you have the required education, skill, or experience.
Impossible to qualify for "Any Occupation" benefits?
Insurance companies will often try to make you believe it's impossible to qualify for "any occupation" benefits. Often they will ask for a transferable skills assessment to determine if you are able to do things like answer phones, flip burgers or attend to a parking lot. If you can get out of bed in the morning, they assume you are fit to go to work!
The good news is that this does not necessarily mean that you are no longer entitled to your disability benefits! Your education, skills and experience combined with the salary you were earning prior to applying for disability benefits are all very important in determining whether you are still entitled to benefits after the 24 months or Change of Definition has occurred.
Best to consult a lawyer
It's always best to consult a lawyer to help you during your case - Share Lawyers will fight to help you win the benefits you deserve.
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A note from our long term disability lawyers
Taking a medical leave from work is not an easy decision to make. Concerns about providing for yourself and your family and keeping your job may cause you to want to push through your pain, but this won’t make your problems go away. Stopping work is often the smartest decision for your long term health and well-being, and your disability benefits are there to provide you with financial support until you can return to work.
If you have made the tough decision to stop working and apply for your short term disability or long term disability benefits, you may feel overwhelmed by the process and have questions that your employer and your insurance company are not able or willing to answer. Share is There to see you through and answer your questions.
Our Disability law firm knows what you have been going through
We understand that things have not been easy for you over the last little while. Your health has been suffering, you are unable to work, and now your insurance company, who was supposed to be there in your time of need, has decided they will not pay your disability benefits or respect your disability claim. These benefits exist to provide you with the financial support you need so that you can focus on your health and rebuilding your life. It is unfortunate that your insurance company has not lived up to its promise. If your disability claim has been denied, we will fight to get you the benefits you are entitled to. Our disability lawyers have helped thousands of Canadians get their long term disability benefits over the past 35 years, and we can help you too.
Our experienced disability lawyers can fight back on your behalf
Share Lawyers believes that every client who is dealing with a disability claim deserves superior personal service. To achieve that goal, we have developed our team of experienced, compassionate, and caring long term disability lawyers, law clerks, and administrative staff to meet all of your needs. Our team of experienced long term disability, life insurance, employment, and critical illness insurance lawyers have made successful claims against many insurance companies, third-party administrators and employers.
If you are unable to work, your disability benefits should be there to provide you with the financial support you need. While your insurance company may be focused on finding ways to avoid paying your claim, our focus is on what is in your best interest. When Share Lawyers gets involved, you have an entire team of lawyers that are there to support you and to fight for what is yours.
Our disability claim lawyers fight for your disability insurance claim by relying on our many years of experience to apply the best strategic planning and approach in each case, using the latest technology available. Experience matters, and with Share Lawyers, you are in the best hands with 35 years of success on your side.
In this video, we explain the role of a long term disability lawyer and how we can support you when you have been denied your long term disability benefits.
Denied your long term disability claim?
Contact Share Lawyers today and put our experience to work for you. Our 35+ years of experience can help you win your case against Canada Life, Desjardins, Manulife, RBC Insurance, Sun Life, and other insurance companies. We offer free consultations and there are no fees unless you win your case. Join us on Facebook and become a Top Fan for a chance to win each month.
