Over many decades, Unum Group has become one of the country’s largest insurance providers. Being one of the largest, however, does not mean being one of the best. Thousands of Unum claimants struggle to recover disability insurance benefits due to delayed or denied claims.
We know this because our insurance attorneys have helped thousands of clients enforce their Unum policies. We are Disability Insurance Law Group, a Florida law firm that represents clients throughout the U.S. in their fight to get disability insurance benefits.
Unum Group is the result of several mergers of smaller insurance companies into a single large company. Several major court rulings dating back to the 1990s have made clear that Unum frequently acts in bad faith toward its policyholders. Fortunately, the company no longer has a reputation for recklessly denying claims. Unfortunately, it often delays claims for an unreasonably long time or offers settlements far below what it owes its policyholders.
For claimants who are already dealing with serious medical conditions, these delays and denials can create enormous stress. Many people rely on disability insurance benefits to replace lost income when they can no longer work. When a claim is denied or delayed, policyholders may suddenly find themselves struggling to pay medical bills, mortgage payments, and everyday expenses.
Understanding how Unum evaluates disability claims and why it denies certain cases can be an important step toward protecting your rights.
Like many large disability insurance companies, Unum closely reviews claims before paying long-term benefits. While insurers have the right to investigate claims, many policyholders are surprised by how aggressively their medical records and work history are scrutinized.
Some of the most common reasons Unum denies disability claims include:
Many policyholders only discover these issues after receiving a denial letter. At that point, the appeal process becomes critical because the information submitted during the appeal can determine whether benefits are ultimately approved.
One of the most common issues our attorneys see with Unum disability claims involves the pre-existing condition limitation contained in many disability policies.
Under these provisions, the insurer may deny long-term disability benefits if it believes the claimant received treatment, advice, or medication for the condition during a specific look-back period before the policy became effective.
In practice, this can lead to situations where:
These determinations can be complex and often depend on careful interpretation of medical records and policy language. In many cases, the connection between the earlier medical history and the current disability may be disputed.
When this occurs, a carefully prepared appeal supported by medical evidence and expert analysis may be necessary to challenge the denial.
If Unum denies a disability claim, the denial letter will usually explain the reasons for the decision and describe the steps required to file an appeal.
The appeal stage is extremely important because it may be the claimant’s best opportunity to submit additional evidence and correct any misunderstandings about the medical condition or job duties.
During the appeal process, it may be necessary to:
Many people attempt to handle the appeal on their own, but the process can be challenging without a full understanding of the policy terms and evidence requirements.
In our extensive experience handling disability insurance law, we have learned the various strategies insurance companies use. From our experience, we know that Unum often denies claims or offers a low settlement, but with a well-prepared appeal, denials are often overturned.
Even if you have already received a denial or a settlement offer from Unum, our lawyers can help you by hiring vocational experts, gathering medical evidence, and preparing a strong appeal.
Our attorneys understand the types of documentation and expert opinions that may be needed to challenge an insurance company’s conclusions. We work closely with physicians, vocational professionals, and other specialists to present a clear picture of how a medical condition prevents a person from performing the duties of their occupation.
Receiving a disability claim denial can be overwhelming, especially when you are already dealing with a serious medical condition. Taking the right steps after a denial can help protect your ability to pursue benefits.
If your Unum disability claim has been denied, it may be helpful to:
A well-prepared appeal often requires addressing the insurance company’s specific concerns while also presenting strong medical and vocational evidence.
At Disability Insurance Law Group, We Also Offer Insurance Claims For The Following companies:
If you need a lawyer’s help to get the coverage that Unum’s policy promised you, Disability Insurance Law Group is ready to fight. Contact us at our Florida and Nationwide office to schedule a free, no-risk initial consultation. You can call 954-989-9000 or send us an email to begin.
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