By late 2021, Todd became unable to carry on with his duties as a manager in a retail environment. He was struggling with burnout that was accompanied by cardiac issues, anxiety, and stomach pain.
After realizing burnout isn’t considered a medical condition, he quickly realized that he might have issues getting his long-term disability (LTD) application approved.
As a result, Todd took to Google to see if there was information online that could help him win his claim. He eventually stumbled upon our book, A Beginner’s Guide to Disability Insurance Claims in Canada, and he knew he had struck gold. Todd read the book from cover to cover, and by the time he closed it, he knew exactly what he needed to do, which was to tell the best story in his application.
He followed the author, David Brannen’s, advice and made sure his application went beyond the bare minimum, which is when you only complete the forms the insurance company gives you. Instead, he submitted a claim that was comprehensive, persuasive, and included overwhelming evidence in favour of his approval. Brannen calls this a winning claim.
He did this by including a claim letter that organized all the information in his application and explained why his claim should be approved. His letter also went into great detail about the progression of his disability and the years leading up to his last day of work. It also described his job duties and how his disability interfered with his ability to do those duties. In addition, he explained the steps he took to get better and to try to stay in the workforce.
But Todd didn’t stop there. He knew his claim wouldn’t be approved for his claim letter alone. So along with his written statement, he submitted all the corresponding evidence and records to back up his narrative.
Todd was well aware that an insurance adjuster would be skeptical of his claim. So, he also ensured his application addressed all his “red flags.” And to make his claim even more convincing, he remained entirely credible throughout the process. Meaning he didn’t exaggerate his symptoms or limitations and only made statements that were accurate and verifiable.
Once Todd felt his application was complete, he crossed his fingers and submitted his claim. About a month later, he received notice that his claim was approved.
Todd was ecstatic. He was finally able to relax and focus on what really mattered: his recovery.
So, what can we learn from Todd’s story?
Todd’s application was ultimately approved because he went beyond the bare minimum and submitted a winning claim. After reading David’s book, he knew that claim adjusters are much more likely to approve an application when it is well organized and presented effectively, so he did just that. He took what he thought was an unwinnable claim and made it impossible to deny.
Todd’s story is a great example of how people can win on their own — without legal representation or counsel. We hope this story inspires you to do the same. But if you ever need support, you know who to call.
Quotes from Todd
Using your guide to applying for LTD, I was able to write a rock-solid narrative that resulted in the immediate acceptance of my claim. Had I not used your guide, my claim would have likely been denied or at the least severely delayed with appeals etc.
Thank you for helping me achieve peace of mind and helping turn what has been a humiliating and stressful chapter of my life into a more useful time of healing.
** All names have been changed to protect the privacy of our clients**
Free Book Offer
Want to submit a winning claim like Todd? Click on the link below to learn the secrets to formulating an application that is almost impossible to deny.
