The difficulties of disability insurance
Re “The Safety Net She Believed In Was Pulled Away When She Fell,” Aug. 21
My experience as one who’s been on the receiving end of poor treatment from a disability insurer and the article highlight several important points. First, any worker who can possibly afford it should own an individual policy that is not covered by the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act, which shields an insurer from any meaningful legal penalties. Second, legal counsel should be obtained immediately if the insurer shows any signs of failure to perform. Claimants with lawyers receive better treatment.
A person without a hint of medical problems can suddenly find himself unable to work and facing a financial precipice. Better one should face it with disability insurance, than with nothing at all.
ELLIE SCHERMERHORN
Ahwahnee, Calif.
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Of course the courts side with the insurance companies! They are merely conducting business the way insurance companies are meant to operate: Collect premiums, deny payments and, if payments are made, cancel the policy or raise the premiums (no matter how long the policy has been in effect). Fortunately, we only die once; otherwise I am certain that our life insurance policies would be canceled immediately on notification of our passing.
JEFFREY S. LEE
Newport Beach
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