Appealing Hartford Decisions

How to appeal Hartford LTD denials or calculation disputes

Last updated: 2026-01-11

Appealing Hartford LTD Decisions

If Hartford denies your LTD claim or you believe their calculation is wrong, you have appeal rights.

Reasons to Appeal

Claim Denial

Hartford may deny your claim for:

Not meeting definition of "disabled"
Pre-existing condition exclusion
Missing documentation
Alleged misrepresentation

Benefit Calculation

You might dispute:

Incorrect salary used in calculation
Wrong offset amount
Improper application of policy terms
Mathematical errors

Other Issues

Benefits terminated too early
Retroactive denial
Change from "own occupation" to "any occupation"

The 180-Day Deadline

You have 180 days from the date of denial to appeal. This deadline is set by ERISA (federal law) and is strictly enforced.

Counting the Days

Day 0:     Denial letter date
Day 1:     Next day (start counting)
Day 180:   FINAL day to submit appeal

Don't wait until day 180. Submit well in advance.

Before You Appeal

Request Your Claim File

Under ERISA, you're entitled to:

Complete copy of your claim file
All documents Hartford relied upon
Policy documents
Internal notes and correspondence

How to Request: Send written request to Hartford:

I hereby request, pursuant to ERISA § 503 and 
29 C.F.R. § 2560.503-1(h)(2)(iii), a complete 
copy of my claim file including all documents, 
records, and other information relevant to my 
claim for benefits.

Claim Number: [Your claim number]

Review the Denial Carefully

Understand exactly why you were denied:

What reason(s) did Hartford give?
What policy language did they cite?
What evidence did they rely on?
What evidence did they ignore?

Writing Your Appeal

Required Elements

Clear statement of appeal
Response to each denial reason
Additional evidence
Request for specific remedy

Appeal Letter Template

[Date]

Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company
[Appeals Address from denial letter]

RE: APPEAL OF CLAIM DENIAL
Claim Number: [Your claim number]
Claimant: [Your name]
SSN: [Last 4 digits]
Date of Denial: [Date from denial letter]

Dear Hartford Appeals:

I am writing to formally appeal the denial of my 
Long-Term Disability claim dated [date].

REASON FOR DENIAL:
Hartford denied my claim stating [quote their reason].

MY RESPONSE:
[Explain why their denial reason is wrong or 
incomplete. Be specific and factual.]

ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE:
I am submitting the following additional evidence:
1. [List each document]
2. [With brief description of what it shows]

POLICY PROVISIONS:
The policy provides that [quote relevant sections].
My situation meets this requirement because [explain].

REQUESTED REMEDY:
I request that Hartford:
1. Reverse the denial of my claim
2. Pay benefits from [date] forward
3. [Any other specific requests]

I reserve all rights under ERISA, including the 
right to bring a civil action if this appeal is 
denied.

Please confirm receipt of this appeal in writing.

Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Printed name]
[Contact information]

ENCLOSURES:
[List all attachments]

Strengthening Your Appeal

Medical Evidence

The most important factor in disability appeals:

Detailed physician statement
- Specific diagnosis
- Objective findings
- Functional limitations
- Why you cannot work
Medical records
- Test results
- Treatment notes
- Hospital records
Specialist reports
- Relevant specialists
- Second opinions