When a person is covered under an employee benefit plan, it typically includes disability insurance and life insurance, among other benefits. If the employee becomes disabled and is approved for long term disability (“LTD”) benefits by their disability insurance carrier they may also be entitled to a waiver of the premium of life insurance. We call this a waiver of life premium or WOLP.
This means that while you are disabled and receiving disability benefits under the LTD policy, you do not have to pay the premium for your life insurance policy. It is important to keep in mind that there is no guarantee you will continue to receive these benefits.
Just like an LTD claim, a WOLP claim is periodically reviewed by the insurer to determine if the claimant still meets the definition of disability. The life insurance policy may have the same or slightly different definition of disability, but under both policies the insurer must find you meet that definition of disability. If the insurer determines they do not, they can deny or terminate the claim. If your policies are governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”), you should be given a right to appeal the denial.
If you receive a WOLP denial, you should speak with your doctors about it. Ask your doctors not to communicate with your insurance carrier without speaking to you first. After receiving a WOLP denial, keep an eye out for an LTD denial as they usually go hand in hand.
Next, call one of the experienced disability insurance attorneys at Dabdoub Law Firm who can help you appeal the denial.
Lawyers with Expertise in Disability Insurance Claims
This law firm has always focused only on disability insurance law.
Because we specialize in long term disability, our clients get the benefit of:
- Having an attorney who is anexpert in long term disability claims;
- Having an attorney who has experience with every major disability insurance company;
- Being backed by a law firm that has a proven track record of winning tough disability lawsuits.
We can help with:
- Submitting a disability insurance claim;
- Appealing a long-term disability denial;
- Negotiating a lump-sum settlement; or
- Filing a lawsuit against your disability insurance company.
The firm represents clients nationwide with disability claims governed by federal law, even if we are not located in your state.