Dual Occupation Defense

When a professional that owns his or her own business files a disability insurance claim, the insurer will often try to exploit the claimant’s ownership status to deny total disability benefits.  For example, the insurer might argue that an insured is both a clinical dentist and a business owner.  The insurer will then argue that the insured is not actually disabled because he or she can still perform administrative or managerial functions, even if the insured cannot perform the duties of clinical dentistry.  This is sometimes referred to as the “dual occupation defense.”

Click here for more information about how an insurer may attempt to use a dual occupation defense.