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Disability Insurance

What can you do if an insurer terminates benefits you were already receiving?

Termination of benefits already being paid is more contestable than an initial denial, because the insurer previously accepted the claim and must justify the change. Terminations commonly follow an independent medical examination, a change in the policy's definition of disability, or surveillance and social media review.

What to do next

  1. Ask what changed

    Request the specific reason and any medical report relied on. If the insurer accepted the claim before, something in its assessment changed — identify what.

  2. Check whether the definition switched

    Many policies move from 'own occupation' to 'any occupation' after a set period. A termination at that milestone is about the test changing, not about your condition improving.

  3. Respond with current functional evidence and get advice

    Have your treating physicians address current functional capacity against the applicable definition. Note the limitation period — it typically runs from the termination.

Frequently asked questions

They relied on an IME I disagree with.

You can submit your own treating-physician and specialist evidence in response. Conflicting medical opinion is normal and is exactly what a court weighs.

Can an insurer use surveillance or my social media?

Insurers do use both. A single photograph rarely establishes capacity for sustained work, but consistency between what you report and what you do matters.

When does my deadline run from?

Generally from the termination, and the policy may shorten the ordinary limitation period. Confirm it early rather than after months of appealing.

This is general information, not legal advice. Laws vary by location and every situation is different — speak with a qualified lawyer about your specific circumstances.

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By submitting, you agree to be contacted about your inquiry. This is not legal advice and does not create a lawyer–client relationship.

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