At Disability Insurance Law Group, our national claims attorneys know that insurance companies have countless processes that allow them to dispute or deny policyholders’ claims.
Disability insurance is designed to provide income if a worker cannot perform their work due to disabling conditions, including injuries or illnesses. Unfortunately, disability insurance policies are not written to provide a straightforward assessment of what is covered and what is not. One way they can dispute or deny claims is by leveraging the policy’s language to fit their narrative. Unfortunately, Voya Financial, previously known as ING and ReliaStar, has a reputation for assessing claims in the insurer’s favor.
Voya Financial is one of the top twenty largest group disability insurance companies. In most Voya disability policies, policyholders commonly see an own occupation definition of disability in the first 24 months, and then the definition of disability will change to any occupation after. This period is where most of the Voya disability denials at the change of the disability definition.
That is why we are here. Our disability insurance attorneys represent Voya Financial policyholders nationwide — no matter where they live or work in the U.S. — with their best interests and true success in mind so our clients can pursue the benefits they are entitled to from their employer-provided coverage or personal policies.
The terms “own occupation” and “any occupation” refer to different definitions used in disability insurance policies to determine when a policyholder is eligible for benefits. These definitions are critical in understanding the scope of coverage and the circumstances under which benefits will be paid.
To follow are the crucial differences:
With an “own occupation” definition, a policyholder is considered disabled if they cannot perform the duties of their own occupation — the job they were engaged in when the disability began.
This definition is typically more favorable to the policyholder because it allows a broader range of disabilities to qualify for benefits. Even if the policyholder can work in a different occupation, they can still receive benefits if they cannot perform the specific duties of their own occupation.
For example, suppose a surgeon injures their hands and can no longer perform surgeries but still teach or work in a medical consulting capacity. With an own occupation policy, they may still be eligible for disability benefits because they are unable to perform the specific duties of their original occupation as a surgeon.
In contrast, an “any occupation” definition considers a policyholder disabled only if they cannot perform the duties of any occupation for which they are reasonably suited by education, training, or experience.
This definition is more restrictive, as it requires a higher level of disability for the policyholder to qualify for benefits. Even if they can’t perform their previous job, as long as they can work in another occupation, they may not be considered disabled under this definition.
Using the same example, if the surgeon can work in a non-surgical medical role or a different field altogether, they may not qualify for benefits under any occupation policy because they can still perform the duties of another occupation for which they are reasonably suited.
It is crucial for individuals to carefully review the terms and definitions of disability insurance policies to understand the scope of coverage they provide. Some policies may also have a transition period during which an own occupation definition applies, followed by a shift to any occupation definition after a certain period of disability — this is common in Voya Financial policies and often when policyholders lose their coverage.
With over 50 combined years of experience, our national Voya Financial disability insurance attorneys know that understanding the definition that dictates your coverage is vital to winning and maintaining your disability benefits.
Whether you are considering applying for benefits, are waiting for a claim’s decision, or have been denied, we can assist you with your Voya Financial disability claim anywhere in the country, starting with a free consultation.
We are fully dedicated to providing transparent legal services that allow us to pursue real results for real people who need our help – no matter where they live or work in the U.S.
If you are receiving resistance from Voya Financial for your U.S. disability claim, or if your claim has already been denied, contact our dedicated disability insurance attorneys nationwide at 954-989-9000 or online to schedule a free, confidential case assessment without delay.
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