Fighting Denied Long-Term Disability Claims From Guardian/Guardian Life

Last updated on February 13, 2025

When serious illness or injury prevents you from working, your long-term disability (LTD) insurance should provide financial protection. But when Guardian Life Insurance Company denies your claim, the stress of fighting for your benefits can feel overwhelming. You don’t have to face this challenge alone. Our attorneys at ERISA Law Center have the experience and dedication to advocate for your rights.

Guardian is one of the largest insurance companies in America, providing a variety of insurance products and services. However, they also have a history of unreasonably denying LTD claims. In 2010, its practices came under scrutiny. This even led to New York State creating “Ian’s Law,” which banned unfair policy cancellations and made insurance companies give proper notice about coverage changes.

Unfortunately, Guardian continues to deny valid LTD disability claims. For over 35 years, ERISA Law Center has helped people in Fresno, California, fight for their disability benefits. We know how to challenge Guardian’s decisions and will guide you through every step of your case.

Understand Your Long-Term Disability Policy With Guardian

Before filing a claim, you need to know what your policy covers. Most Guardian policies include these key parts:

• Definition of disability: Guardian looks at whether you can do your own job (“own occupation”) or any job (“any occupation”) based on your training and experience.
• Waiting period: You must wait a certain time after becoming disabled before your benefits start. This waiting time is different for each policy.
• Length of benefits: Your policy states how long you can receive benefits. This often depends on your age and disability type.
• Coverage limits: Your policy may limit coverage for certain medical conditions or types of disabilities.
• What’s not covered: Your policy lists specific conditions and situations that Guardian won’t pay benefits for.

The way Guardian defines disability in your policy is especially important, as this often becomes the main issue in denied claims.

Reasons Why Guardian Denies Long-Term Disability Claims

Common reasons for Guardian disability claim denials include:

• Lack of medical evidence: If your medical records don’t provide clear proof of your disability, such as detailed doctor’s reports and test results.
• Conflicting information: If Guardian finds information in your records that appears to conflict with your disability claim.
• Preexisting conditions: If you received treatment for your condition before your insurance coverage began or if Guardian believes you didn’t disclose important medical history.

Understanding why Guardian denied your claim is the first step in deciding how to respond. Our attorneys at ERISA Law Center can help you review your denial letter and determine what additional evidence you might need.

Steps To Take After A Denial

If Guardian denies your claim, take these immediate actions:

• Review your denial letter thoroughly
• Request your claim file
• Gather additional medical evidence
• Keep detailed records of all communications

Don’t let a Guardian long-term disability denial discourage you. One of our long-term disability lawyers can help you understand your options and guide you through the appeals process.

How A Fresno Long-Term Disability Lawyer Can Help

At ERISA Law Center, we understand that dealing with a disability while fighting an insurance company can feel overwhelming. We can help you gather and organize compelling medical evidence to support your claim, build and file a strong, well-documented appeal and take your case to court if necessary to fight for your benefits.

Living with a disability is difficult enough without having to battle a large insurance company. Let the attorneys at ERISA Law Center put our decades of experience to work for you. We serve clients throughout California, as well as Nevada, Washington, Hawaii and Oregon. We are also available by phone and Zoom for your convenience.

At ERISA Law Center, we pride ourselves on building personal connections with our clients and being readily available when you need us. Call 559-549-6490 or complete our online form today to learn more about how we can help protect your rights and secure the benefits you deserve.