Based on our experience, here are some of the ways that Sun Life will try to make your life more difficult: Ignore the opinion of your treating doctor and give it no weight, instead deferring to the opinion of a subjective and self-interested doctor who will find a reason to deny your claim. Introduce different requirements into the policy that do not appear in the four corners of the document Change the rules as they go along, finding a reason to strip your benefits after you have already started receiving them Ask you for far more documentation than is required under the terms of the policy Set their investigators on you to follow you - they are looking for any piece of evidence possible to undercut your claim ERISA Gives Sun Life More Power than the Average Insurance Claim Sun Life is also notorious for denying claims and making low settlement offers when you appeal. Unfortunately, the way that ERISA works is that insurance companies have a wide berth to deny claims. They do not face the same bad faith claims that traditional long-term disability companies not subject to ERISA may face. You need an attorney to fight for you because Sun Life is out to push you around and wear you down. They count on your being desperate and grateful to accept whatever small amount they offer you as a settlement. If the facts and the law are on your side, you do not need to sell your legal rights for pennies on the dollar.