What Insurance Carriers Offer Long Term & Private Disability Insurance?
Disability insurance policies, whether short-term or long-term, private or employer-sponsored, all serve to replace at least a portion of the income lost by individuals who suffer a non-job-related injury or illness that prevents them from working. A critical safety net for many, policies of this type have saved countless families from financial ruin and promise to do so for numerous more in the future. Unfortunately, there is a sizable group of insurance carriers that routinely deny benefits to claimants who are entitled to receive them, forcing lengthy dispute and appeals processes to occur.
If you are among those who are seeking information about the claims process or are interested in pursuing an appeal of a prior denial, it may be wise to familiarize yourself with some key facts about several common insurance carriers of long term and private disability insurance. Any questions, contact our Pennsylvania long term disability attorneys.
Common Carriers of ERISA and Private Disability Insurance
The market for disability insurance policies is vast, with many carriers offering a wide range of coverage options and terms. It is important, however, to note the distinction between policies obtained through employer-sponsored programs and those purchased privately or directly through insurers or independent agents. Policies secured by virtue of an employment relationship fall under the protection of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), whereas private disability insurance policies are considered to be conventional contractual agreements. Some carriers specialize in one type of plan, while others provide choices within both categories. Our Bucks County disability lawyers can answer all your questions.
Unum Group
Also known as Unum Provident, this carrier is a market leader in the realm of disability insurance and has repeatedly been the top provider of individual and group policies in the United States. The company has been the subject of significant bad faith litigation, however, with widespread claim denial practices and unfair tactics having been exposed.
Prudential Life Insurance Company
This is among the largest providers of disability insurance in the nation, specifically when it comes to its group offerings. Allegations of unfair claim delay and denial tactics by Prudential have received substantial media scrutiny in recent years.
Mutual of Omaha
Getting its start in 1909, Mutual of Omaha is yet another top provider of disability insurance, particularly in the group benefit context.
MassMutual Financial Group
A Fortune 500 company with origins dating back over 160 years, this firm offers a wide range of products, including disability insurance.
MetLife
Long known as a market leader in life insurance, this company also offers and oversees a range of group disability insurance plans governed by ERISA regulations as well as individual policies purchased privately.
Hartford
Policies offered by this company originate from the Hartford Financial Services Group and encompass both short and long-term disability coverage options under ERISA as well as private alternatives.
Common Insurance Carriers List is Extensive
Though the aforementioned carriers of private and long-term disability coverage represent some of the largest in the country, there are numerous additional firms offering policies intended to provide protection in the event of unexpected injury or illness. Other such companies include:
- The Standard
- Sun Life Insurance Company
- Northwestern Mutual
- Reassure America
- Assurant
- CIGNA
- Aetna
- New York Life
- Principal Life Insurance Company
- Guardian/Berkshire
The Importance of Truly Knowing Your Disability Insurance Carrier
The overarching purpose of disability insurance is seemingly unambiguous. Policies of this type exist as a means of protecting the financial well-being of the numerous individuals each year who experience a disability rendering them unable to work. However, given the propensity of certain insurance carriers to deliberately delay and deny benefits to those deserving of them, it is extremely important to gain a solid understanding of the tactics used by to evade the duty to pay, even before a claim is filed.
Experience Matters When Confronting Long Term and Private Disability Carriers
If you are in the midst of filing a disability insurance claim or have already been dealt the disappointing blow of a formal denial, it is best to affiliate yourself with an attorney who has in-depth knowledge of the common carriers of long-term and private disability insurance policies, including your own.
At Young, Marr and Associates, we stand prepared to fight for the disability benefits to which you are entitled and have the knowledge and experience necessary to vindicate your rights. For a confidential evaluation of your claim, contact us at 1-(609) 755-3115. Our Pennsylvania long term disability lawyers are ready to answer any questions.