Manulife Denied Disability in Ontario
Have you had your Manulife short term disability claim denied, or perhaps your long term disability insurance claim? Many clients with Manulife’s disability insurance policies have experienced the frustration of having their claims refused or benefits cut off unexpectedly. Common reasons for denials include insufficient medical evidence or a determination that the claimant can perform other types of work, based on changes to total disability assessments.
If your Manulife short term or long term disability claim in Ontario has been denied, it’s important to know that you have the right to appeal the decision. Understanding the appeal process is crucial, as many people are unaware of how to effectively contest claim denials and rebuild their case.
We recognize how stressful and overwhelming this situation can be, and many individuals seek assistance navigating Manulife’s claims and appeal procedures. Insurance companies often deny disability claims—both short term and long term—with the hope that claimants will not challenge the decision or lack the resources to provide the necessary medical documentation and evidence to support their disability status.
At Himpro, we specialize in helping clients whose Manulife disability claims have been denied. We carefully evaluate your case, review the medical and financial documentation, and guide you through Manulife’s appeal process. Our goal is to maximize your chances of obtaining the income replacement benefits you deserve under your policy.
Manulife Long-Term Disability Benefits: What Happens After 2 Years?
If you have private disability insurance through Manulife, your policy typically provides short-term disability benefits for up to the first two years during which you are unable to perform most of the essential duties of your “own occupation”—the job you held before becoming disabled, generally based on your experience and training.
However, after this initial 24-month period, the process for Manulife long term disability (LTD) claims becomes more complex. At this stage, your policy usually requires you to meet a stricter definition of “total disability,” meaning you must be unable to perform any occupation for which you are reasonably suited by education, training, or experience. Manulife often disputes this definition and may deny your LTD claim by terminating your long-term disability benefits.
Successfully navigating this stage requires assembling comprehensive medical and occupational evidence demonstrating that your condition qualifies as a total disability under Manulife’s criteria. Proper documentation and expert assessments are critical to building a strong case that supports your claim for continued income replacement benefits.
Can You Win Manulife's Internal Appeals Process When Your Claim is Denied?
If your Manulife short-term or long-term disability claim has been denied, you have the option to challenge that decision by following Manulife’s internal appeals process. Initially, you should work with one of Manulife’s customer service managers to review your case. If you remain dissatisfied with the outcome, the next step is to escalate your appeal to Manulife’s internal ombudsman. The ombudsman conducts a thorough and impartial review to ensure that the company’s policies and procedures were properly followed when assessing your claim for long-term disability benefits under your policy.
Meeting all the requirements to prove “total disability” according to Manulife’s standards is often a complex and challenging process. It is your responsibility to present compelling and persuasive medical and occupational evidence to satisfy either the ombudsman or, if necessary, the courts.
An experienced disability lawyer can be invaluable in navigating Manulife’s appeal process. They know exactly what types of evidence to gather, which medical and vocational experts to consult, and how to build a strong, credible case to maximize your chances of reclaiming the disability benefits you deserve.
Common Reasons For A Manulife Denied LTD Claim
Regardless of the reason that Manulife denied your long-term or short-term disability claim, you can still get the decision reversed using Manulife’s appeal process if you build a winning case and a court decides in your favor. You will most likely need the help of a seasoned Toronto-area disability lawyer who has previously challenged Manulife’s denials to prove your case and navigate the legal system efficiently.
About Manulife Financial: originally called the Manufacturers Life Insurance Company, is a leading Canadian financial services and insurance company. Manulife offers short-term and long-term disability insurance policies, such as the ProGuard, Venture, Synergy or Personal Accident insurance plans. While many people have subscribed to their policies through group insurance offered by their employer, some plans are offered directly to business owners or can be subscribed to by individuals.
How To Appeal a Denied Claim by Manulife for LT Disability Insurance: 5 Tips
A denied LTD insurance claim by Manulife is not the end of the game. Long-term disability claims are routinely denied by insurance companies. In most instances, you should use the appeal process to fight your case. However, it’s important to do it right to preserve your credibility and build a winning case. A Toronto-area long-term disability lawyer from Himelfarb Proszanski can help, here’s how:
Timing your Manulife long-term disability appeal is crucial for success: there is a 2-year window to file a claim in court, which starts when the applicant receives a “clear and unequivocal denial” of the claim from Manulife. There is also an internal appeal timeline to obey, which can vary depending on your Manulife disability insurance plan.
It’s important to gather as much evidence and information as to why your claim has been denied when working through the appeal process. You can also ask Manulife to see your insurance claim file and any other documentation your insurance company may have about your claim.
Trying to defend your rights to receive disability benefits and engaging in a legal case can be intimidating and stressful, on top of the disability issue itself. Our team fully understands this and will support you from the start. From our first contact, our immediate goal is to relieve the stress you and your family are experiencing due to a denial by the insurance company. We also understand you want us to be responsive to your enquiries and be kept up to date along the process. For us, you are NOT a number, and we will treat you with full respect for your person and situation, while providing the best legal representation possible.
If English is not your first language, we provide professional translators to assist you in this process, which will limit the stress due to language barriers.
After Manulife denies your long-term disability benefits, you have 2 options to ask the insurer to reconsider their decision: an internal appeal process within Manulife, and an external appeal process done outside the insurance company, through tribunals or courts. It’s critically important to choose the right process, which depends on your specific situation. An LTD lawyer who has challenged Manulife’s denial decisions successfully can help you make that choice.
There are many hurdles when you try to challenge an insurance company’s denial of your LTD benefits. Without the help of an experienced disability lawyer these hurdles become major obstacles between you and your benefits. HIMPRO’s team has recovered long-term disability benefits for many clients, after they’ve been denied by Manulife. We can help you achieve the same.
