Most disability insurance policies require you to produce proof of loss
within a limited time frame and state that the company can limit or
deny providing you with disability benefits if you do not provide the
information within that time frame. However, there are legal rules that
allow for delay if it would be impossible or unreasonable for you to
produce the proof within the required time frame.
These same exceptions also may apply in instances where you are
already on claim and the disability insurance company is requiring an
update from your doctor.
Whether these exceptions are available to you will depend on what your
policy says and the law in your jurisdiction. An experienced disability
attorney can help you request an extension if you need it.
Action Step. Speak with an
experienced disability lawyer to assess whether it would be appropriate
to file a claim and start the process prior to obtaining your doctor’s
statement. If you are already on claim, ask for an extension and if the
insurance company refuses to grant one, speak with a disability lawyer.
Each dentist’s claim for disability benefits involves different
facts, disabling conditions, policy requirements, insurance companies,
etc. While our attorneys are making an effort to share general knowledge
with the dental community and answer dentists’ questions about the
impact of the coronavirus, this not a substitute for individualized
advice from an experienced disability insurance lawyer. If you would
like to speak with our attorneys and have them take an in-depth look at
your particular situation, please feel free to contact us directly.