What is a disability according to long-term disability claims?

When Coloradans apply for long-term disability benefits, the issue of what is considered a disability will often come into play. The insurance carrier may deny the claim by saying that you are not really disabled. This decision is made on a case-by-case basis. A disability for one person may not be what is considered a disability for someone else.

Different things may be considered disabilities

Remember that long-term disability insurance kicks in when you are not able to work. This means that what you do for a living will have a large bearing on whether you are really disabled. For example, if you do physical labor, a back injury could lead to disability benefits, but it may not be for an office worker. Conversely, mental health issues could lead to a disability finding for someone who is expected to work with people every day.

Policies could be different

Much of what is considered a disability depends on the exact language of your policy. Your insurance carrier will have specific language that could govern this. In most cases, the specific definition will be tailored to what could keep you out of work. It may not specify which conditions are considered long-term disabilities.

You get what you pay for

Long-term disability policies are like any other product in that you get what you pay for. The insurance carriers know exactly what they are doing when they devise policy language. The broader the definition of disability in your policy, the more you will need to pay for it. More narrowly tailored policies will cost you less, but you may have uncertainty over whether you can receive benefits when the time comes that you may need them. Everything comes with a trade-off.