Trustmark Benefit isn’t necessarily a household name when it comes to long term disability benefits—but when it comes to issuing disability denial letters, this insurance carrier could go toe to toe with any of the bigger companies. What should Trustmark disability insurance claimants know about the process, and are there any tips that can improve a claimant’s odds of being approved for long term disability benefits?
Claimants Must Be Extremely Cautious When Trustmark Requests an In-Person Meeting
At some point in just about every Trustmark disability insurance claim, this insurance carrier will request a face-to-face meeting with the claimant. Though this meeting is ostensibly a status update and an opportunity for the claimant to ask questions, its true purpose is a little less obvious. Trustmark often conducts video surveillance on disability claimants to ensure they’re not exaggerating their disability, and at this meeting, the Trustmark representative is likely to ask casual questions as a way to corner the claimant into telling a lie.
For example, if Trustmark conducted video surveillance and saw the disability insurance claimant go on a two-hour drive twice in the previous week, the Trustmark representative may casually ask the claimant how long they can ride in a car without discomfort. If the disability claimant states that he or she can only sit for 20 to 30 minutes without pain, this misstatement can cast doubt on the rest of their claims and lead Trustmark to investigate the claims of disability even further. It’s possible to rebut these claims, but it usually takes the help of a skilled attorney with specific experience in disability law.
Trustmark Will Carefully Analyze Your Past Pay and Employment Status
Many disability claimants happen to be small business owners. Trustmark often requests extensive billing and financial documentation from these business owners to ensure that their income claims are accurate and any benefits calculation uses correct data.
Because service and professional businesses (like a dentist’s or attorney’s office) often don’t have much residual value after the professional retires, long term disability insurance carriers like Trustmark tend to carefully scrutinize disability claims that are made just before or shortly after the claimant retired and sold his business. Companies want to avoid paying out disability benefits if it seems the claimant is simply using these benefits as a way to coast toward early retirement. Unfortunately, this prejudgment can all but ensure that many worthy claimants will receive disability benefit denial letters even if they’re unable to hold down full-time work.
Trustmark Often Settles Disability Claims With a Lump-Sum Payout
As the age-old saying goes, “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” By settling disability claims before a case moves to trial, disability claimants and the insurance carriers alike can reduce the uncertainty and cost of litigation. Though settlements are more common in situations where the claimant’s disability is disputed, in some cases, Trustmark will even settle approved disability claims through a lump sum buyout.
Settling the claim for a finite amount can seem preferable to rolling the dice with a lawsuit—for both parties. But before you agree to a settlement offer, it’s important to consult with an experienced long term disability insurance attorney to ensure you’re being fairly compensated for your disability. Give Dell & Schaefer a call today or visit our website to set up your FREE consultation.