If you’ve paid into your individual disability insurance (IDI) policy for years, a denial can feel like a betrayal. You bought this policy to protect your career and your income—yet when the time came, the insurance company refused to pay.
Dabdoub Law Firm is here to help. We are a litigation powerhouse for complex disability claims, including IDI policies, and we represent professionals nationwide. We help clients across the U.S. appeal unfair denials and hold insurance companies accountable.
What Is an Individual Disability Insurance (IDI) Policy?
Unlike group disability coverage provided by an employer, IDI policies are purchased privately, often by high-income professionals such as doctors, dentists, executives, or lawyers. These policies frequently include “own occupation” coverage, which means you’re entitled to benefits if you can’t perform the specific duties of your job—even if you could work in a different capacity.
Because these policies are governed by state insurance laws, not federal ERISA, they often give you stronger legal protections—including the right to sue for bad faith and potentially recover punitive damages if your insurer acted unreasonably.
Common Reasons IDI Claims Are Denied
Insurance companies use a wide range of tactics to delay or deny valid claims. Common reasons include:
- Claiming you don’t meet the policy’s definition of disability
- Arguing your condition isn’t “severe enough”
- Stating you can work in another occupation
- Dismissing your medical records as “inconclusive”
- Alleging you missed a paperwork deadline
- Asserting you didn’t provide “objective” proof of limitations
These denials may sound technical, but they’re often designed to wear you down. You don’t have to accept them.
Your Right to Appeal a Denied Disability Claim
Regardless of where you live, most IDI policies allow you to submit an appeal after a denial. This is your opportunity to correct the record and submit compelling new evidence.
In state-regulated IDI policies, you may also have the right to:
- File a bad faith insurance claim if your insurer acted unfairly
- Demand punitive damages in egregious cases
- Seek a jury trial, rather than a limited ERISA bench trial
At Dabdoub Law Firm, we know how to leverage state law to protect your rights and push back when insurance companies don’t play fair.
Strengthening Your IDI Appeal: What You Need
A successful appeal must directly address the insurer’s reason for denial. This often includes:
- Updated and detailed medical records
- Statements from your treating physicians
- Functional capacity evaluations showing real-world limitations
- Vocational expert reports highlighting your inability to perform your job
- A precise review of your policy language to prove coverage
We help you build the strongest possible appeal—positioning your case for reversal or, if needed, litigation.
Why Hire Dabdoub Law Firm for Your IDI Appeal?
We don’t dabble in disability law—this is all we do.
We focus exclusively on disability and life insurance claims, with a track record of success in high-value, complex IDI cases. Our team has taken on and won against every major disability insurer, including Principal, The Standard, MassMutual, Unum, Guardian, and others.
What sets us apart:
- Nationwide Representation – We help clients in all 50 states
- Taken on Every Major Insurance Company – We know their tactics and how to beat them
- Proven Track Record in Federal and State Court – We’ve won precedent-setting victories
- Litigation Powerhouse for Complex Claims – Especially private and own-occupation policies
- No Fees Unless You Win – You pay nothing unless we recover benefits for you
Turn a Denial Into a Victory
If your individual disability insurance claim has been denied, don’t walk away. The appeal process is your chance to fight back—and you don’t have to do it alone.
At Dabdoub Law Firm, we’ve helped professionals across the country reverse unfair denials, win appeals, and recover millions in unpaid disability benefits.
Speak with an Experienced IDI Attorney Today
The insurance company has a team of lawyers working against your claim. You should have an experienced team on your side.
Call Dabdoub Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation. We’ll review your policy, evaluate your denial, and help you take the strongest next step—whether that’s an appeal, settlement, or lawsuit.