Be Sure That the Period of Contestability Is Two Years or Less

The period of contestability is the period within which the insurance company may challenge the validity of your application and deny your claim if something is incorrect. Since disability policies are based on representations that are made by the person obtaining the insurance, there is always the possibility of a challenge to your representations at a later time. You should be absolutely sure when you file your application that every representation you make is complete and correct, particularly those pertaining to your health and medical history. Nevertheless, you want there to be a time after which the issue is closed. The time period is frequently twenty-four months.

Obtain a Full Copy of Your Disability Insurance Policy

As with any insurance policy, it is important to have a complete copy of the policy and to keep it in a place where you or others can access it should you need to do so.

Making a Claim for Disability Benefits

If you are unfortunate enough to suffer an illness or injury that entitles you to disability benefits, you must be very serious about making your claim. The first thing you should do is read your insurance policy carefully to be certain that you do precisely what it indicates. Insurance companies are not anxious to pay disability benefits and you do not want to give your insurance company an excuse for delaying. The second thing you should do is get proper documentation from your doctors, therapists, and employer. Since you are telling your disability insurance company that you are not able to perform your work because of an illness or injury, you must be prepared to prove it.

Insurance companies will always require you to provide certain information to them and to consent to letting them contact other people, such as your doctor or employer. You will be required to complete and sign forms for these purposes. Prepare these people for such contacts by letting them know what you are doing and what you have advised the insurance company.

Be sure to keep a file of every document and letter that you send or receive in regard to a disability claim. You will need these materials as the matter progresses. Do not be surprised if, once you have filed a disability claim, you receive a telephone call from someone in the insurance company asking to visit with you. This is an appropriate request, and you should respond to it by scheduling the visit and fully advising the representative who visits you about your condition and its impact on your work.