Manulife Disability Insurance Reviews

I've had three experiences on the claims side with Manulife. Two were of their life insurance policies and one was with their group employer short-term and long term disability coverage. In all three cases, I was not the claimant as such. With the two life insurance claims, I was the executor and administrator of two separate estates where the deceased was life insured by Manulife.

In both life insurance death benefits claims cases, Manulife's claims dept representatives were helpful, efficient and professional in their work. In both cases the death benefits were paid in full, expeditiously and without any delays or obstacles.

In the case of the short and long term disability case, it involved one of our company's employees. There again, Manulife's service was exemplary.

In a sense, am surprised by some of the negative reviews; however, it is more likely that one would be more motivated to place a negative review when feeling to be short-changed than a positive review for just receiving the expected. Thinking back I did have a terrible experience with one of the bank-owned insurance companies who did everything to deny a valid and fully documented travel medical emergency claim to the point that they eventually succeeded in frustrating the claim.

That case, not with Manulife but one of the bank-owned insurance companies, involved a medical emergency during a Carribean cruise. Despite having all the documentation, diagnosis, treatment, etc. they insisted on interviewing that attending physician whose personal contact information was unavailable due to privacy rules of the cruise liner. Apparently, they knew about that privacy rule of the cruise liner and used that knowledge to zap the customer.

I've been reading the negative reviews on here and it's funny because all of them have all of the info stating how the person did everything right and Manulife did everything wrong. I'm pretty sure if we were to look into each of these claims, we would find fault on the client's side too. I was on short-term, now long-term. I was off for a headache and Manulife supported me because my case worker was really smart enough to find something is not right - just a headache? I couldn't understand either, why was my headache so bad. But I knew this wasn't enough, so I said I'm going back to work. Manulife caseworker said no, let's wait until after the test results. 3.5 weeks later, I find out after testing that I have a brain tumour. I have 2 kids, one with special needs. I don't have long, the tumour is terminal and my wife is freaking out. My caseworker called me after getting my medical and she was sobbing talking to me and I felt she really felt for me. Two weeks later, she called and my wife answered and caseworker asked my wife how SHE and the kids were doing. My wife never talked to her before but was so grateful she asked. See? The caseworker didn't know I had a tumour but based on what she had, she had a feeling something was not right and was thoughtful and caring. Let me tell you, before this, I never had a claim. My coworker was on a claim and we thought he was very sick, we sent him baskets and cards. Found out he was working at another job (VERY SIMILAR JOB) the whole time, went to vacation in Costa Rica and was para-sailing and what not. Oh, I thought you couldn't do "anything" because you were sick like you told us. I had to do extra work because of him for 3 months WITH MY HEADACHE before going on claim myself. The whole time I had a tumour, working extra for someone scamming the system. You think the companies are stupid? Of course, they are going to look at all of the information - especially because of people who scam. Look at your coworkers and people who take advantage too. All of you who think you cannot work because of something minor, or because you have a problem with your coworker, think again - you can work, you choose not to. You are no disabled, you are trying to take advantage then blaming oh the big insurance company. What insurance company has mostly positive reviews? How many people would post a positive review more than negative? For those of you who have a real claim, but got declined, don't get frustrated. Try to figure out what is going on and work with your doctor. You tell your doctor something then he writes it down - that is not medical. That is your journal. Think about that.

I have now been on LTD for over 2 years via my employer group program, during which Manulife have been supportive and efficient. My case manager (Michelle G.) is easily accessible, friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. I have been careful to ensure that I cooperate and comply with my Doctors, employers and Manulife's requirements, and maintain good communications with all, to try and avoid any problems. So far, so good - Manulife have helped me through a very difficult time.

I have to say I have had nothing but great experience. My LTD claim was processed quickly and efficiently and everyone has been respectful and empathetic and supportive.

One does have to be careful to follow all instructions by Manulife and to fill in the paperwork (sometimes it is a lot) EXACTLY as requested and in full. This may cause a hold up in your claim. Other than that I am not sure why everybody had such a hard time with them?