Millions in Canada rely on long-term disability (LTD) insurance to protect their income when life throws serious health challenges their way. But the unfortunate reality is that a significant amount of LTD claims are initially denied each year in Canada.

If you or someone you care about has received a letter rejecting their LTD application, it can feel overwhelming. Insurance carriers often deny claims, even legitimate ones, to protect their bottom line. The good news? You don’t have to face this fight alone.

Why Long-Term Disability Claims Get Denied

There can be any number of reasons an application for benefits under a long-term disability policy gets denied, however the most common reasons insurance companies refuse LTD claims include:

• Policy exclusions like pre-existing conditions
• Insufficient medical evidence to support the disability
• Misrepresentation on the application, whether intentional or unintentional
• Unwillingness to comply with a return-to-work program or independent medical exam
• Submitting the claim too late
• Not being under the care of a medical professional
• Failure to provide required documents
• A surveillance report showing you doing what you previously claimed you couldn’t do

Whatever the reason your application for LTD benefits was denied, receiving a denial is not the end of the road.

Taylor & Blair LLP’s Disability Denial Handbook

Understanding how to respond to your insurance company is half the battle. That’s why Taylor & Blair LLP created the free Disability Denial Handbook, a comprehensive guide you can download right now. The handbook walks you through:

1. Strategies to challenge your denial, whether through internal appeals or court action.
2. Essential FAQs: everything from what a COLA rider is to how surveillance may impact your case.
3. Local British Columbia resources: from counselling services, grocery and phone discounts to free children’s programs, because you need support beyond legal advice.

Download the Disability Denial Handbook here to get informed and armed with tools and resources that empower you.

What You’ll Discover Inside

While not a replacement for actual legal advice, Taylor & Blair LLP’s free Disability Denial Handbook will provide information on various aspects of an LTD denial and the options you have available for moving forward, including:

A. Preparing to Challenge the Denial

• Request your full insurer file, including surveillance reports and medical documents.
• Analyze their denial letter closely, identifying the policy clause relied upon.
• Consult your treating physicians for detailed documentation supporting your disability—these letters carry far more weight than third-party evaluations.

B. Appealing or Going to Court

• Internal appeals can be a quick way to resolve a denied LTD claim, but insurers often stall to run down legal time limits and the chances of convincing your insurance company that they made the wrong decision, absent significant new evidence, is often small.
• A lawsuit, while more formal, can be more effective. Insurers may settle when faced with legal scrutiny, especially if sworn testimony is on the line.

C. More Than Legal Support

Denied benefits stretch beyond finances; the stress affects your entire family and well-being. That’s why the handbook also lists resources for those suffering from a disability and with financial considerations:

• Information regarding BC Persons With Disability (PWD), Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPP-D), and the Disability Tax Credit.
• Low-cost medical care access, including PharmaCare drug plans, free counselling and mental health supports.
• Discounted phone, internet, groceries, and programs for kids.

Don’t Let a Long-Term Disability Denial Define Your Future

Whether you’ve only just received your LTD denial or are already in the thick of it, the Disability Denial Handbook is an essential first step. But if the process becomes daunting or complex, the legal team at Taylor & Blair LLP is ready to step in to help. We offer:

• Free consultations: We will assess your situation and let you know if we’re a good fit.
• Local expertise: Offices in Vancouver, Richmond, North Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Port Coquitlam, and Langley.  Virtual intake also available.
• No win, no fee for many LTD cases: Get legal backing without upfront cost.

Take Action Today

1. Download the Disability Denial Handbook: https://insurancedenialbc.ca/resources/disability-denial-handbook/
2. Read the guide fully, paying special attention to timelines, evidence, and appeal steps
3. Book your free consultation with an insurance lawyer from Taylor & Blair LLP. We’ll review your case, help you build a solid appeal, or discuss litigation strategies.

Experienced Insurance Denial Lawyers

If you plan on taking legal action to challenge your LTD denial, there are strict timelines in which you have to act. While often provincial legislation dictates the timeline, sometimes insurance policies contain specific provisions about how long an individual has to start a lawsuit and what jurisdiction they have to bring that lawsuit in. Don’t let the internal appeal run out your clock. Contact the experienced insurance lawyers at Taylor & Blair LLP today for a free consultation.