Over the past several years Unum Life Insurance Company, has been at the center of bad faith insurance allegations.

These claims indicate that the insurance company places their own interests ahead of their policyholders, which normally results in a claim denial.

Unum Life Insurance Company is the world’s largest provider of long-term disability insurance and covers millions of Americans, among these consumers are professional athletes. These individuals often need a complete coverage for disability benefits, due to the physical dangers their professions present.

With injuries being so common with professional athletes, it is vital that Unum and other insurance companies act ethically, honoring its contract with policyholders. Unfortunately this is not always the case, as a 2004 investigation determined that Unum has been practicing systemic claim denial tactics since 1994.

Ever since this report came out, Unum has been forced to pay various penalties and to reevaluate previously denied claims in order to properly pay policyholders who went through a wrongful claim denial. While Unum is far from the only insurance company to perform bad faith insurance denial, the company has gained infamy amongst its policyholders for this purpose.

This is bad news for professional athletes who more often then not, have their careers cut short due to injury or illness from the sport. Furthermore if an athlete is permanently dismissed due to sickness or injury, their income and benefits may be at risk.

Professional athletes and recently recruited athletes from colleges often purchase private long-term disability policies in order to protect them against potential career-shattering injuries. Sport teams also take out insurance policies on alternative players, in case the star of the team is put out of commission.

Despite signing up for essentially the best of insurance policies, even professional athletes often find themselves struggling to receive their long-term disability benefits.

Insurance Claim Denial Complications

For most consumers, there are numerous policies and requirements that have to be followed when applying for long-term disability benefits. Oftentimes medical testimony from their physician is submitted to further prove the necessity of their medical condition.

Most of the time Unum and other insurance companies deny claims by trying to state the condition was pre-existing, or by changing the policy without notifying the policyholder.

With permanent disabilities being the most prominent concern, this policy is purchased by professional athletes or drafted players should they become unable to continue the sport due to sickness or injury.

These policies are costly as they insure millions in future earnings, which would dissipate in the event of an unexpected disability. Sadly these premium policies do not guarantee cooperation from the insurance company, as they often require athletes to jump through the same hoops as average policyholders.

Oftentimes insurance companies try to downplay the condition, or repeatedly request medical testimony from their physicians. Professional athletes who are victims of a disability insurance claim denial, are encouraged to talk to a lawyer immediately.