How do you file a disability claim with Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance?

How do you file a disability claim with Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance?

Author: Attorney Lonnie Roach
To file a claim, a policyholder can either call (800-748-9493) or fill out a simple online form. After the online notification is completed, the company will mail or email the claimant a kit containing instructions on how to file a claim. A claims analyst will then be assigned to the claim and the claimant may be asked to verify or supplement information.

Northwestern Mutual approves more disability claims than they deny, but the company looks for very specific information in medical records to determine disability.

Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company is an American financial services company based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In addition to providing estate planning and advisory services, the company offers life insurance, annuities, long-term care insurance and disability income insurance.

---

Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance was founded in 1857 as Mutual Life Insurance Company of the State Wisconsin.

Its first claim resulted from a train wreck where two policy owners died. The claims for the accident totaled $3,500, but when the company had only $2,000, the President and Treasurer borrowed money to fund the claims. Following this incident, the company’s sales and markets increased and the company changed its name to Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company.

Northwestern Mutual focused its business on life insurance through the 20th Century and began offering disability income insurance in 1969.

In 2001, it formed Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company, a federal savings bank, and offered a wide range of financial services. Today Northwestern Mutual has a Fortune No. 1 ranking for “Quality of Products and Services” and “Financial Services.”

In 2017, Northwestern Mutual claimed:

•   $265 billion in total company assets;
•   $25.2 billion in surplus (funds set aside for the unexpected);
•   $125 billion in investment products owned by clients;
•   Over $1.5 trillion in insurance in force;
•   4 million insured; and
•    $5.3 billion total dividend payout to policyowners in 2018.

What products does Northwestern Mutual provide?

Northwestern offers a variety of products, including:

•   Group health, dental, vision and life insurance;
•    Group disability income insurance;
•   Individual disability income insurance;
•   Retirement plans; and
•   Long-term care insurance.

Individual benefits include plans for stay-at-home parents and part-time employees as well as plans specifically designed for doctors, dentists and medical students.

Northwestern Mutual has a well-designed website that is easy for insured to navigate.

To file a claim, a policyholder can either call (800-748-9493) or fill out a simple online form. After the online notification is completed, the company will mail or email the claimant a kit containing instructions on how to file a claim. A claims analyst will then be assigned to the claim and the claimant may be asked to verify or supplement information.

All forms requested should be complete, accurate, and timely submitted.

An initial decision on a claim is usually made within 30 days with the claimant notified by mail as well as telephone or e-mail. If a claim is awarded, the claimant will receive a confirmation of the benefit and when to expect it. If a claim is denied, the claimant is given an opportunity to resubmit it.

If you have been denied disability benefits don’t give up! Contact a Disability lawyer at 512-454-4000 for a free consultation and get the benefits you deserve.

Private and individual policies comprise a large proportion of Northwestern Mutual’s disability insurance business, particularly people in the medical profession.

It is important to be aware that many of these policies contain a Residual or Partial Disability clause, either as a rider or included in the policy itself, which provides that an insured receives a percentage of his or her disability benefit based on the percentage of income loss the sickness or injury has caused. For example, a surgeon who has been disabled and can no longer perform complex surgery, may still be able to perform other procedures or assist patients in other ways. Their income would decrease according to their inability to perform the tasks of their previous occupation. As a result, Northwestern Mutual requires very detailed information about the work a doctor performed before they became disabled and will request monthly profit and loss statements, tax returns and daily appointment books in addition to medical records.

Northwestern Mutual approves more disability claims than they deny, but the company looks for very specific information in medical records to determine disability.

As with all insurance companies which provide disability insurance, it is important to provide thorough and detailed medical records that are up to date. Most claimants are also asked to be interviewed by a company representative and this is best done with an attorney present. That is why it’s important to have a qualified attorney with extensive experience in LTD disputes and ERISA to organize and manage your case.

Author: Attorney Lonnie Roach has been practicing law for over 29 years. He is Superlawyers rated by Thomson Reuters and is Top AV Preeminent® and Client Champion rated by Martindale Hubbell. Through his extensive litigation Mr. Roach obtained board certifications from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Lonnie is admitted to practice in the United States District Court - all Texas Districts and the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit. Highly experienced in Long Term Disability denials and appeals governed by the “ERISA” Mr. Roach is a member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Austin Bar Association, and is a past the director of the Capital Area Trial Lawyers Association (Director 1999-2005) Mr. Roach and all the members of Bemis, Roach & Reed have been active participants in the Travis County Lawyer referral service.