By Frank N. Darras > Founding Partner, DarrasLaw | Nationally Recognized Disability Advocate > Last Updated: September 2026

Reliance Standard Life Insurance Claim Denials

Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company, a prominent player in the group and individual insurance market, provides a range of products, including life, disability, and accident insurance. While these policies offer crucial financial protection during challenging times, policyholders may encounter claim denials, adding stress to an already difficult situation. Understanding the common reasons for these denials and the steps to appeal them is crucial for securing the benefits you deserve.

With more than 30 years of experience and nearly $1 billion recovered for disabled policyholders, Frank Darras and the DarrasLaw team represent people nationwide whose Reliance Standard disability benefits have been denied or terminated. Our attorneys help policyholders challenge denials involving medical evidence, occupational duties, policy definitions, ERISA administrative appeals, independent medical examinations, vocational reviews, and other issues that can affect long-term disability benefits.

Common Reasons for Reliance Standard Denials

Reliance Standard, like other insurance providers, has specific policy terms and conditions that dictate eligibility for benefits. Denials often stem from discrepancies between the submitted claim and these policy provisions. Some frequent reasons for claim denials include:

• Lack of Sufficient Medical Documentation: Insurance companies require comprehensive medical evidence to substantiate a claim. This may include doctor’s notes, test results, diagnoses, and treatment plans. A denial might arise if the submitted documentation is incomplete, illegible, or doesn’t clearly demonstrate the claimed condition or its impact on the insured’s ability to work or perform daily activities. For disability claims, this often involves demonstrating an inability to perform the material and substantial duties of one’s occupation.
• Pre-Existing Conditions: Many insurance policies have clauses that exclude or limit coverage for pre-existing conditions. These are medical conditions that existed before the policy’s effective date. If Reliance Standard determines that the current claim is related to a pre-existing condition, they may deny coverage. The definition and application of pre-existing conditions can be complex, and disputes often arise in this area.
• Misrepresentation or Fraud: Providing false or misleading information on the insurance application or during the claims process can lead to a denial. This includes failing to disclose relevant medical history or exaggerating the severity of a condition. Insurance companies take instances of suspected fraud seriously and may conduct thorough investigations.
• Disputed Diagnosis or Treatment: Reliance Standard may disagree with the medical diagnosis or the recommended treatment plan. They may consult with their own medical experts, who might offer a different interpretation of the medical evidence. This is particularly common in disability claims where the extent of functional limitations is subjective.
• Policy Exclusions and Limitations: Insurance policies contain specific exclusions and limitations that define what is not covered. For example, certain conditions, treatments, or occupations might be excluded from coverage. Carefully reviewing the policy documents is essential to understand these limitations. A denial might occur if the claimed condition falls under a specific exclusion.
• Failure to Meet the Definition of Disability: Disability insurance policies have specific definitions of what constitutes a disability. These definitions vary depending on the policy and may require the insured to be unable to perform their own occupation or any occupation. If Reliance Standard determines that the insured does not meet the policy’s definition of disability, the claim will be denied.
• Lack of Timely Filing: Insurance policies often have deadlines for filing claims. Failing to submit the claim within the specified timeframe can result in a denial. It is crucial to be aware of these deadlines and submit all required documentation promptly.

If you are facing a Reliance Standard denial, the expert team at DarrasLaw is here to help.

Appealing a Denial

Receiving a claim denial from Reliance Standard can be disheartening, but it is not the end of the process. Policyholders have the right to appeal the decision. The appeal process typically involves reviewing the denial letter, gathering additional documentation, writing a formal appeal letter, meeting deadlines, and considering legal counsel. If your appeal is denied or if you encounter difficulties navigating the appeals process, consider seeking legal counsel from an attorney specializing in insurance claims. An experienced attorney can help you understand your rights and options and represent you in your appeal. Our Reliance Standard denial attorneys can help you collect any additional medical records, test results, or other evidence that supports your claim. This might include obtaining a second opinion from a specialist or providing more detailed information about your functional limitations. They can also assist in examining your denial letting to understand specific reasons for denial in order to address the issue raise by Reliance Standard.

Reliance Standard Denials and Your Occupation

Disability insurance is often occupation-specific. That means the question may not simply be whether you can perform some type of work, but whether your medical condition prevents you from performing the material duties required by the policy’s definition of disability.

A detailed occupational analysis may therefore be necessary when Reliance Standard denies a claim based on work capacity.

Important evidence may include:

• Your actual job duties before becoming disabled
• The physical demands of your occupation
• The cognitive demands of your occupation
• Hours worked and schedule requirements
• Travel requirements
• Production or performance expectations
• Specialized duties unique to your profession

A generic job description may not always accurately reflect what a claimant actually did. If Reliance Standard’s occupational analysis understates the material duties of your work, that issue may need to be addressed during the appeal.

When Reliance Standard Changes From “Own Occupation” to “Any Occupation”

Some Reliance Standard long-term disability policies apply one definition of disability during an initial benefit period and a different definition later.

During an “own occupation” period, the policy may focus on whether the claimant can perform the material duties of his or her regular occupation.

After a specified period, the policy may shift to an “any occupation” definition that examines whether the claimant can perform another occupation for which he or she may be reasonably suited by education, training, or experience.

This transition can result in benefits being terminated even after Reliance Standard has paid a claim for months or years.

If Reliance Standard terminates benefits at the change in definition, the appeal should carefully evaluate the insurer’s medical conclusions, vocational analysis, transferable-skills assessment, and any occupations the carrier claims the insured can perform.

Reliance Standard ERISA Denials and the Administrative Record

Many Reliance Standard disability policies obtained through private employers are governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, commonly known as ERISA.

For an ERISA-governed claim, the administrative appeal should not be treated as a short letter simply stating that you disagree with Reliance Standard’s decision.

The appeal is an opportunity to challenge the reasons for the denial and develop the administrative record with evidence supporting the claim.

Depending on the case, an appeal may include:

• Additional medical records
• Detailed physician narratives
• Functional Capacity Evaluations
• Vocational reports
• Occupational analyses
• Responses to Reliance Standard’s medical reviewers
• Responses to IME findings
• Witness statements
• Evidence addressing surveillance or activity allegations
• Documentation regarding unsuccessful return-to-work attempts

If the appeal is later denied and the matter proceeds to federal court, the court may focus heavily on the evidence developed during Reliance Standard’s administrative process. That makes it important to identify and correct weaknesses in the record before the appeal concludes.

How Long Do You Have to Appeal a Reliance Standard Denial?

The applicable deadline depends on the policy, plan, and type of claim. Your Reliance Standard denial letter should identify the deadline that applies to your administrative appeal.

Many ERISA disability claims provide a limited period in which to appeal an adverse benefit decision. Missing the applicable deadline can significantly affect your ability to challenge the denial later.

Do not assume that you should wait until the deadline is approaching before preparing the appeal. Obtaining the claim file, collecting medical records, requesting physician reports, arranging functional or vocational evaluations, and responding to insurer reviews can take time.

Case Result: Reliance Standard Disability Denial Reversed

DarrasLaw has successfully handled Reliance Standard disability appeals, including a claim involving a respiratory therapist who had worked for MedStar Health for approximately 17 years before multiple serious orthopedic conditions prevented him from continuing his work.

The claimant had knee, back, hip, shoulder, and carpal tunnel problems, along with prior cervical and lumbar spine fusions. Reliance Standard initially approved his long-term disability claim and paid benefits for nearly two years.

As the claim approached an important policy transition, Reliance Standard required an Independent Medical Examination. The insurer later denied continued benefits.

The appeal focused on inconsistencies between the IME conclusions and the claimant’s extensive medical history. Evidence included updated medical records, attending physician statements, objective orthopedic findings, and a Functional Capacity Evaluation concluding that the claimant could not sustain even sedentary work.

The appeal also challenged findings in the IME report that suggested the claimant could perform fine manipulation and prolonged sitting despite evidence of carpal tunnel syndrome, significant orthopedic problems, and contrary functional testing.

Reliance Standard ultimately reversed the denial and reinstated the claimant’s long-term disability benefits.

Past results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any other case. Every disability claim depends on its own policy language, medical evidence, occupation, procedural history, and facts.

When Reliance Standard Changes From “Own Occupation” to “Any Occupation”

Some Reliance Standard long-term disability policies apply one definition of disability during an initial benefit period and a different definition later.

During an “own occupation” period, the policy may focus on whether the claimant can perform the material duties of his or her regular occupation.

After a specified period, the policy may shift to an “any occupation” definition that examines whether the claimant can perform another occupation for which he or she may be reasonably suited by education, training, or experience.

This transition can result in benefits being terminated even after Reliance Standard has paid a claim for months or years.

If Reliance Standard terminates benefits at the change in definition, the appeal should carefully evaluate the insurer’s medical conclusions, vocational analysis, transferable-skills assessment, and any occupations the carrier claims the insured can perform.

Reliance Standard ERISA Denials and the Administrative Record

Many Reliance Standard disability policies obtained through private employers are governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, commonly known as ERISA.

For an ERISA-governed claim, the administrative appeal should not be treated as a short letter simply stating that you disagree with Reliance Standard’s decision.

The appeal is an opportunity to challenge the reasons for the denial and develop the administrative record with evidence supporting the claim.

Depending on the case, an appeal may include:

• Additional medical records
• Detailed physician narratives
• Functional Capacity Evaluations
• Vocational reports
• Occupational analyses
• Responses to Reliance Standard’s medical reviewers
• Responses to IME findings
• Witness statements
• Evidence addressing surveillance or activity allegations
• Documentation regarding unsuccessful return-to-work attempts

If the appeal is later denied and the matter proceeds to federal court, the court may focus heavily on the evidence developed during Reliance Standard’s administrative process. That makes it important to identify and correct weaknesses in the record before the appeal concludes.

How Long Do You Have to Appeal a Reliance Standard Denial?

The applicable deadline depends on the policy, plan, and type of claim. Your Reliance Standard denial letter should identify the deadline that applies to your administrative appeal.

Many ERISA disability claims provide a limited period in which to appeal an adverse benefit decision. Missing the applicable deadline can significantly affect your ability to challenge the denial later.

Do not assume that you should wait until the deadline is approaching before preparing the appeal. Obtaining the claim file, collecting medical records, requesting physician reports, arranging functional or vocational evaluations, and responding to insurer reviews can take time.

Case Summary: Reliance Standard Disability Denial Process

The case involves a respiratory therapist employed by MedStar Health for 17 years, who enjoyed a respected career until multiple physical ailments forced him to stop working. He suffered from a range of conditions, including knee issues, back problems, carpal tunnel syndrome, hip issues, shoulder problems, and prior lumbar and cervical spine fusions, with pending knee replacements and hip surgeries. These conditions severely limited his physical capabilities, leading him to file a long-term disability claim with Reliance Standard in early 2022. Reliance Standard approved the claim and paid benefits for nearly two years.

Meet Our Disability Attorneys

Frank N. Darras, Founding Partner
Experience: For more than 30 years, Frank N. Darras has focused exclusively on long-term disability and insurance litigation, including high-stakes disputes against Lloyd’s of London syndicates.

Track Record: He and his firm have recovered nearly $1 billion in wrongfully delayed and denied insurance benefits for policyholders nationwide.

Recognition: Named to Lawdragon’s Top 500 Lawyers in America for 18 consecutive years and listed in Best Lawyers in America since 2006, Mr. Darras is widely regarded as a leading authority on ERISA and disability insurance law.

Susan B. Grabarsky, Senior Trial Attorney
Experience: Ms. Grabarsky represents both individual policyholders and employee groups in complex disability disputes. Her prior experience as an insurance cost-containment analyst provides unique insight into how carriers evaluate and deny claims.

Approach: She leverages her understanding of insurer review tactics to strategically challenge Lloyd’s denials and push for full payment of valid benefits.

Reputation: Known for meticulous preparation and assertive advocacy, she has built a strong record confronting unfair disability practices.

Heather Gardner, Senior Associate
Experience: Heather Gardner concentrates on ERISA-governed and individual disability appeals involving national and international carriers.

Role in Litigation: Working closely with Frank Darras, she helps develop comprehensive administrative records and appellate strategies designed to withstand federal court scrutiny.

Professional Strength: She is respected for her precision in analyzing policy language and dismantling complex denial rationales.

Phillip S. Bather, Associate Attorney
Experience: Phillip S. Bather focuses on ERISA litigation and insurance bad-faith disputes, assisting clients through intake, claim development, and administrative appeals.

Case Strategy: He works to assemble compelling evidentiary records aimed at reversing unjust denials and positioning cases for successful litigation when necessary.

Client Commitment: Recognized for his responsiveness and detail-oriented advocacy, he supports claimants facing aggressive insurer resistance.

Trusted Legal Credentials

• AV Preeminent® Rating – Martindale-Hubbell
• Best Lawyers in America – Disability Law
• Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Lawyers

Contact Our Reliance Standard Denial Lawyers

If Reliance Standard has denied or terminated your disability benefits, do not assume the insurer’s decision is the final word.

DarrasLaw represents policyholders nationwide in Reliance Standard disability denials, benefit terminations, ERISA administrative appeals, and disability litigation. Our attorneys can review the denial letter, policy language, medical evidence, occupational information, and claim file to identify the issues Reliance Standard relied upon and determine what evidence may be needed to challenge the decision.

Contact DarrasLaw at (800) 898-7299 or request a free, confidential case review to discuss your Reliance Standard disability denial.

Frequently Asked Questions About Reliance Standard Denials

This page is provided for general educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Disability policies, claim procedures, ERISA requirements, appeal deadlines, standards of review, and legal remedies vary depending on the policy, plan, jurisdiction, and facts of the particular claim.