In a long-term disability claim, a “material duty” typically refers to a job duty or function that is essential to the performance of the insured’s occupation.
When evaluating a disability claim, the insurance company will typically assess the insured’s ability to perform the material duties of their occupation. This assessment may involve reviewing the insured’s job description, consulting with the insured’s employer or healthcare providers, and conducting functional capacity evaluations or other assessments to determine whether the insured can perform the essential duties of their occupation.
If the insured is unable to perform the material duties of their occupation due to a covered disability, they may be eligible to receive long-term disability benefits. However, the policy language will define what qualifies as a covered disability and what specific job duties are considered material.
It’s important to carefully review the terms and conditions of an individual disability insurance policy or group long-term disability insurance policy to understand the definition of disability and the material duty requirements, as well as any exclusions or limitations that may apply.
