Long-Term Disability Insurance for Accountants

Long-term disability insurance provides income replacement to policyholders who cannot work because of a covered disability or illness. For example, accountants spend long hours at their computers which puts them at risk of injuries or other illnesses that prevent them from working. As such, it is essential as an accountant to consider your long-term benefits.

If you need help filing your disability insurance claim or your claim has been wrongfully denied, the long-term disability attorneys of Capitan Law are ready to help. Contact us today at (267) 419-7888 for a case evaluation and to discuss your legal options,

What Is Long-Term Disability Insurance?

Long-term disability insurance is an insurance policy that usually provides a monthly benefit payment. Many employers offer long-term disability. You will only receive this benefit if you cannot work for an extended period because of a covered disabling injury or illness. The benefits replace a portion of your income. Usually, the benefits account for around 60 percent of your pre-disability income.

Eligibility for your disability benefits depends on the specifics of your policy. For example, sometimes your policy may require that you are unable to work for 30 days, while other policies may require longer waiting periods, such as 12 weeks before benefits kick in.

Own Occupation Long-Term Disability Insurance

You may be able to purchase “own occupation” long-term disability insurance, which usually has higher premiums than other disability policies. They have higher premiums because benefits usually start when you cannot perform your specific job’s material and substantial duties. This means you may receive benefits if you cannot fulfill your accounting duties, even if you can perform other types of work.

These types of insurance policies can provide greater protection and flexibility for people who have spent time and money developing their skills. Therefore, if you have an “own occupation,” you may be able to get long-term disability benefits if you can work but cannot perform your duties as an accountant.

One thing to keep in mind is that your policy may limit how long you can get benefits. For example, it could say you are only eligible for benefits for two years. Additionally, it may change the definition of disability from your occupation to an inability to work after you receive a certain amount of benefits. Therefore, you should carefully review your policy to understand your eligibility for benefits.

Reasons Accountants May Need Long-Term Disability Benefits

Accountants may be at risk of developing several disabling conditions that could prevent them from working, including:

• Repetitive stress injuries: As an accountant, you likely spend a lot of time typing and working on your computer. This type of repetitive work can cause stress injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis.
• Back pain: As an accountant, you likely sit for an extended period to complete your work. This can cause back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders.
• Vision problems: Staring at a computer for extended periods can cause eye strain and other vision problems.
• Mental health issues: You likely experience long hours, tight deadlines, and pressure from your work environment. This can lead to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
• Injury or illness: Accountants, like anyone else, may experience unexpected illnesses or injuries that could prevent them from working.

If you have disability insurance, you might receive benefits if you cannot work because of one of these conditions.

Why Your Long-Term Disability Claim May Have Been Denied

Unfortunately, insurance companies are for-profit businesses that are trying to save money. As a result, they may deny your claim if they have a chance. Some reasons an insurance company may deny your long-term disability claim include the following:

• Failure to meet the definition of disability: Insurance policies usually have strict definitions of disability that you must meet to qualify for benefits. The insurance company may deny your claim if your disability does not fall within this strict definition.
• Lack of medical evidence: You must usually provide evidence to support your claim. The insurer may issue a denial if you do not provide enough evidence to show you cannot work due to your condition.
• Pre-existing conditions: Many companies exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions. If your inability to work is due to a pre-existing condition that’s not covered, the insurance company may deny your claim.
• Failure to comply with treatment: Sometimes, insurance companies require you to undergo specific treatments to qualify for benefits. If you fail to follow the requirements of your policy, the insurer may deny your claim.
• Administrative errors: Some claims may get denied due to administrative errors, such as missing deadlines or submitting incomplete paperwork.

If your long-term disability insurer denied your claim, you might be able to appeal the decision.

How Capitan Law Can Help You Get the Benefits You Deserve

If your insurance company has denied your long-term disability claim, you should seek legal assistance from an attorney who handles disability insurance claims. The long-term disability insurance attorneys of Capitan Law can help you navigate the complex disability claims process and fight for the benefits you deserve. Some ways that we can help include the following:

• Reviewing your claim: An experienced disability attorney can review your claim and insurance policy to determine the reasons for the denial and assess the strengths of your case.
• Gathering evidence: Our team can gather evidence to support your claim. We can do this by working with your healthcare providers to obtain the necessary medical evidence to get approval for your claim.
• Negotiating with the insurance company: We have experience negotiating with insurance companies. As a result, we can handle communications with the insurance companies and try to reach a fair agreement.
• Filing an appeal: If your insurer denied your claim, our attorneys could help you file an appeal and represent you during the appeal.
• Representing you in court: If it is necessary to file a lawsuit to get your benefits, we can represent you by presenting evidence and making persuasive arguments on your behalf.

Contact Capitan Law For a Free Case Evaluation Today!

Long-term disability insurance can provide financial protection and peace of mind if you cannot work as an accountant. However, if you are struggling to file your claim or it has been wrongfully denied, the disability attorneys of Capitan Law are ready to help.

Using our experience, we will fight for your best interests. To discuss your options during a confidential case evaluation, contact us today at (267) 419-7888 or online.