Disability Insurance Support
Disability Income Insurance can help protect your future finances in case of a sudden covered injury or illness by providing a benefit to help cover expenses while you’re unable to work. Learn more about disability insurance from the frequently asked questions and additional resources below.
Disability Insurance FAQs
General
What is disability?
Disability is an inability to perform the duties of your regular occupation for the period stated in your policy. After the stated period, disability is an inability to perform duties of any occupation based upon experience, training, or education. For consideration of disability, you must discontinue working, remain under regular and appropriate care of a physician, and proof of loss must be provided.
Does the payment go to me or my doctor?
Your disability benefit is paid directly to you, so you may apply the money toward your medical costs or daily living expenses as needed.
What is an Elimination Period?
The period of time specified within the policy an insured must be disabled and in which no benefits are payable. Please refer to your specific policy for details.
What is a disability payment?
The disability payment refers to the Disability Benefit purchased minus a Deductible Sources of Income within your policy. Sources of income which may impact your disability payment include but are not limited to the following:
- Sick leave/salary wage continuance
- Social Security benefits
- Other group disability insurance benefits
- Government or other retirement income
- State disability (if applicable)
- Unemployment compensation
- Workers compensation (if applicable)
How do I designate my beneficiary?
Download and complete the Change of Beneficiary Form, and mail or fax it to American Fidelity.
Mailing address:
American Fidelity Assurance Company
Attn: Account Admin Dept
P.O. Box 25523
Oklahoma City, OK 73125
Fax number: 800-620-8915
What is a Pre-Existing Condition?
A condition for which you have received treatment, incurred expense, taken medication, received services or a diagnosis or advice from a physician during the period described in the policy immediately before the effective date of coverage.
How do I allow others to speak to American Fidelity on my behalf?
In order for American Fidelity to release information to anyone other than the insured, the insured will need to update the Friends/Family Authorization to Disclose Information Including PHI to include the names of the individuals or organization we can release information to. Alternatively, the insured may create and submit a signed and dated statement indicating who they are giving authorization to speak on their behalf. If the insured is unable to sign their own authorization, we would need a Power of Attorney on file to release any information.
Claims
How do I file a disability insurance claim?
The fastest way to file a disability claim is through your online account, or on our mobile app, AFmobile®.
- Log in to your online account
- Download AFmobile from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store
For more details on how to file a claim, including required documentation and a step-by-step instructional video, visit our disability insurance claim page.
Where can I get a claim form?
You can download and print a paper claim form here. Please note, paper claim filing is not the fastest option. File a claim online or through AFmobile to get your money faster.
For more details on how to file a claim, including required documentation and a step-by-step instructional video, visit our disability insurance claim page.
What documentation do I need to submit?
When filing a disability insurance claim, you will need to provide the following documentation:
- Statement of Insured, completed via online claim filing or paper claim form
- Attending Physician Statement: You will complete the Statement of Insured on the first page, then have the physician in charge of your care complete the remaining pages. You can upload the form via your online account, or you can mail or fax it.
- Employer Statement: After your employer completes this form, you can upload the form via your online account, or you can mail or fax it.
We may also need:
- Authorization to Disclose Information Including PHI: This form gives us authorization to get records from your medical provider(s) and others who may hold information necessary for us to review your claim. Upload the form via your online account, or mail or fax it.
For more details on how to file a claim, including a step-by-step instructional video, visit our disability insurance claim page.
What is the processing time once a claim is submitted?
Claims are generally processed within 5-7 business days.
Do the claim forms need to be submitted all together? Can my doctor and/or employer submit their portion of the claim form themselves?
Your doctor and/or employer can submit their portion of the claim form themselves. You do not have to submit the forms all together. Your claim will be reviewed for processing once all required forms are received.
My disability has extended beyond what was originally approved. How do I extend?
If your disability has extended beyond what was originally approved, a continuing claim form should be completed in full by both you and your treating physician.
Who at my employer should fill out the Employer’s Report of Claim?
The Employer’s Report of Claim should be completed by your payroll representative.
My doctor is charging me to fill out a claim form. Does American Fidelity pay for this?
Unfortunately, American Fidelity does not pay for claim forms to be completed. This is the Insured’s responsibility to get the claim forms completed.
Are there circumstances that claims may be excluded?
Yes, the policy may include exclusions for disabilities such as intentionally self-inflicted injury, acts of war, disabilities contracted while in the services of the armed forces, periods of incarceration, and work-related injuries/sickness.
Benefits
What is a Schedule of Benefits?
A document that details information about specific plan benefits. You can view your Schedule of Benefits in your policy document through your online account.
What is a Disability Benefit Period? (How long will benefits be paid?)
The period of time for which benefits may be payable for a covered injury or sickness. Benefits may be payable up to the maximum Disability Benefit Period described in the policy.
Are there health conditions that could limit the amount of time I receive a benefit?
The policy may include limitations for certain health conditions.
Are my benefits taxable?
Benefits are taxable if any portion of your disability premiums are paid by your employer or if your disability premiums are withheld before tax. If your disability premiums are withheld after tax and the employer does not pay any portion of your disability premiums, the benefit is not taxable. Please refer to your employer to determine if your premiums are withheld before or after tax.
Prepare for the Unexpected
Disability insurance can help protect your future finances in case of a sudden accident or illness by providing a benefit to help cover expenses while you are unable to work. Watch this short video to learn about disability insurance.
Log in to your online account to view your policy details.
Need help?
If you need assistance filing a claim, visit the disability insurance claim page.