Tactics Long Term Disability Insurers Use to Deny Claims
If you’re on disability, it’s because you cannot work. Insurers routinely search for reasons to cut off benefits and in my experience there are three common tactics used: medical record misinterpretation, surveillance footage, and social media posts.
I routinely see the clinical notes and records of the family physician and other treatment providers taken out of context. Long term disability insurer’s will ignore the records supporting disability and rely on the one or two other brief scribbles in the records. For example, a brief note like “doing better” can be twisted to imply full recovery, while extensive evidence supporting your disability and your inability to work at any job is overlooked.
Early in your claim, you’ll likely have a recorded phone interview about your limitations. Later, you may complete forms about your daily activities. Small differences between what you said and what you wrote can be flagged as “inconsistencies.” That’s often enough for an insurer to hire a private investigator. Even a single “good day,” like running errands, may be used to argue you’re exaggerating your condition.
Lastly, insurers monitor your online presence. A smiling photo, a trip, or even an updated LinkedIn profile can be taken out of context to suggest you’re capable of working. It’s not about accuracy but rather, it’s about building doubt.
These tactics are common and often unfair. If your claim has been denied, don’t assume the insurer got it right. Sometimes, the real question isn’t whether you’re disabled – it’s whether they’re hoping you won’t fight back.
