Hartford's most common reasons for denying long-term disability claims

Hartford Insurance denies long-term disability claims most often because the medical evidence does not show your condition prevents you from working in any occupation, because you did not report your condition soon enough, or because Hartford believes you can still perform your own job. These are not the only reasons — Hartford also denies claims when you miss a important date, when you do not respond to a request for records, or when the policy itself excludes your condition.

The reason Hartford gives in the denial letter matters because it tells you what to challenge. A denial based on "insufficient medical evidence" requires different next steps than a denial based on "you did not meet the definition of disability." Read the denial letter carefully and look for the specific language Hartford used. That language is your roadmap.

Hartford is required by law to explain why it denied your claim in writing. If the letter is vague or does not clearly state the reason, that vagueness itself can become part of your appeal. Keep the original denial letter — you will need it.

Key Takeaways

  • Hartford denies claims most often because the medical records do not show you cannot work in any job, not because your condition is not real or serious.
  • The specific reason in your denial letter determines what evidence you need to gather for your appeal — medical records, work history, or both.
  • You have a limited window to appeal (usually 180 days from the denial date, but check your policy), and missing that important date closes the door to internal appeal.
  • Hartford must respond to your appeal within 45 days for disability claims, and if they deny again, you can pursue an external review or legal action.
  • Many people strengthen their appeal by obtaining a new medical opinion from a doctor who understands how your condition affects your ability to work.

Understanding Hartford's definition of disability

Hartford's definition of disability is narrower than most people think. Early in your claim, Hartford usually applies the "own occupation" definition — you are disabled if you cannot do your specific job. But after a certain period (often two years), Hartford switches to the "any occupation" definition — you are disabled only if you cannot do any job you are reasonably suited for by education, training, or experience.

This switch is where many denials happen. You might be unable to return to your job as a nurse or carpenter, but Hartford argues you could work as a consultant, customer service representative, or office manager. Hartford does not have to prove you can actually find that job — only that it exists and that your condition does not prevent you from doing it.

Your denial letter should state which definition Hartford applied. If it does not, ask Hartford directly in writing. Understanding which definition was used tells you what kind of medical evidence you need for your appeal.

What to do when ready after receiving a denial

Do not wait. Write down the date you received the denial letter and count forward to find your appeal important date. Most Hartford policies give you 180 days to appeal, but some give 60 days. Your policy document or the denial letter itself will state the important date. If you cannot find it, call Hartford and ask — do not guess.

Request a copy of your entire claim file from Hartford. This file contains everything Hartford reviewed when it made the denial decision: your medical records, your job description, any statements you gave, and any reports Hartford obtained. You have the right to this file. Hartford must send it to you within a reasonable time, usually 10 to 15 business days. Review it carefully. Sometimes Hartford's file is incomplete or contains errors, and those gaps become ammunition for your appeal.

Do not contact Hartford by phone alone. Send a written request for your claim file and your appeal, either by email (if Hartford accepts it) or certified mail. Keep copies of everything you send. Phone calls leave no record, and Hartford representatives sometimes give incorrect information about important date or procedures.

Gathering medical evidence for your appeal

The strongest appeals include new medical evidence — not just the records Hartford already reviewed, but a fresh opinion from a doctor who understands how your condition affects your work capacity. This does not have to be a specialist. It can be your primary care doctor, but the opinion must address your ability to work, not just your diagnosis.

Ask your doctor to write a letter that explains: what your condition is, what symptoms or limitations it causes, how those limitations affect your ability to sit, stand, walk, concentrate, remember, or perform other job tasks, and whether those limitations are permanent or likely to improve. The letter should be specific. "The patient is disabled" is useless. "The patient experiences severe pain with standing that limits her to two hours per day, and her job requires eight hours of standing" is useful.

If Hartford's denial was based on the "any occupation" definition, ask your doctor to address whether you could perform sedentary work, light work, or other categories Hartford might argue you are suited for. If your condition affects your memory or concentration, ask your doctor to explain how that affects your ability to learn new jobs or perform jobs with complex instructions.

Gather any other evidence that supports your claim: work evaluations, emails from your employer about your performance before you became ill, statements from coworkers about what you could and could not do, or records of treatment you sought after the denial. If you tried to return to work and had to stop, that is powerful evidence.

Writing and submitting your appeal

Your appeal letter should be clear and organized. Start by stating that you are appealing Hartford's denial dated [date], and include your claim number. Then address the specific reason Hartford gave for the denial.

If Hartford denied you because of insufficient medical evidence, your appeal should say: "I am submitting new medical evidence from Dr. [name], dated [date], which shows [specific limitation]. This evidence demonstrates that I cannot [specific work task]." Do not argue that Hartford was wrong in general. Argue that the new evidence changes the picture.

If Hartford denied you because you do not meet the "any occupation" definition, your appeal should address the specific jobs Hartford said you could do. For example: "Hartford states I could work as a customer service representative. However, my condition causes severe fatigue that prevents me from concentrating for more than one hour at a time. Customer service work requires sustained concentration for eight-hour shifts. Therefore, I cannot perform this work."

Keep your appeal letter to one or two pages. Attach the new medical evidence and any other supporting documents. Send everything to Hartford by certified mail and keep copies for yourself. Do not send originals of documents you cannot replace.

What happens after you submit your appeal

Hartford must review your appeal and send you a decision within 45 days. If Hartford approves your claim, you will receive back pay to the date of the original denial, plus ongoing benefits. If Hartford denies your appeal, the letter will explain why and will tell you about your right to an external review.

An external review means an independent doctor (not employed by Hartford) reviews your claim. You have the right to an external review if Hartford denies your appeal. The external reviewer looks at the same evidence you and Hartford reviewed, plus any new evidence you submit. The external reviewer's decision is binding on Hartford in most states.

If you disagree with the external review decision, or if you believe Hartford violated the law in how it handled your claim, you can file a lawsuit. Many people hire a lawyer at this stage. Some lawyers work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of what you win rather than charging you upfront. If you are considering a lawsuit, consult with a disability lawyer before the external review important date, because some legal claims have their own important date.

Common mistakes that weaken appeals

Do not miss your important date. Once the appeal period closes, you lose your right to an internal appeal. You may still have the right to an external review, but that is a different process with different rules.

Do not submit the same evidence Hartford already reviewed and rejected. If Hartford said your medical records do not show you cannot work, sending the same records again will not change the outcome. You need new evidence or a new interpretation of existing evidence.

Do not argue about whether your condition is real or whether you deserve sympathy. Hartford does not care. Argue about whether your condition prevents you from working. Focus on function, not diagnosis.

Do not assume Hartford made a mistake in reading your file. Assume Hartford read it correctly and disagreed with your interpretation. Your appeal should address Hartford's reasoning directly, not assume Hartford missed something.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I appeal a Hartford denial more than once?

You have one internal appeal with Hartford. If Hartford denies that appeal, you can request an external review by an independent doctor. After the external review, your options are a lawsuit or, in some cases, a complaint to your state insurance commissioner. You cannot keep appealing to Hartford indefinitely.

Do I need a lawyer to appeal a Hartford denial?

You do not need a lawyer for the internal appeal or external review, but many people find a lawyer helpful, especially if the claim involves complex medical issues or if Hartford's reasoning seems unclear. A lawyer can also advise you on whether a lawsuit is worth pursuing. Some lawyers offer free consultations.

What if Hartford says my condition is not covered by my policy?

If Hartford's denial is based on a policy exclusion (for example, your policy excludes mental health conditions or pre-existing conditions), your appeal should argue that the exclusion does not explore to you. You may need a lawyer to interpret the policy language, because exclusions are often written in ways that are hard to understand.

How long does the appeal process take?

Hartford has 45 days to respond to your appeal. An external review usually takes 30 to 60 days. If you pursue a lawsuit, the process can take months or years. The total time depends on how quickly you gather evidence and submit your appeal, and whether Hartford or the external reviewer approves your claim or denies it again.

Will Hartford pay me while I am appealing?

No. Hartford stops paying benefits when it denies your claim. If you win your appeal, Hartford will pay you back to the date of the original denial, but you will not receive benefits during the appeal period itself. This is why it is important to appeal quickly and gather strong evidence.