How to File a Disability Insurance Claim
Disability insurance can be helpful when people can’t work due to a physical or mental illness. Filing a claim is not as hard as you may think. It’s important to provide all the required information plus any supporting documentation to help the claim so there are no delays.
- Determine if you qualify for filing a claim by reading over the requirements. Contact the insurance company if you have any questions about the process.
- Obtain a claim form and fill it out correctly. Ask the insurance agent or a doctor if you don’t know the answers to specific questions regarding the disability. Get the doctor to explain the disability illness in writing to send with the form.
- Obtain other supporting documentation to go with the form if possible. Include documentation if you were hospitalized or treated by a specialist because it will help support the claim.
- File the claim with the insurance company. It’s important to file the claim as soon as the disability is diagnosed because if too much time lapses, the insurance company may deny benefits. Send in the disability claim by registered or certified mail so you’ll have proof it has been received. Give the original copy to the insurance company and keep a copy for your own records.
- Follow up with the claim status through the insurance company’s website or by contacting an insurance agent. If there is a problem they will mail a letter with instructions on what is missing or what needs to be completed.
- Wait for a response. There is usually a 2 week wait to receive insurance benefits.