New York Life Ratings & Reviews

1.5 out of 5
Read 109 reviews
0%would recommend
5
0%
4
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3
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2
50%
1
48%
Timely Payments
1.9out of 5
Handling Claim
2.0out of 5
Customer Service
2.0out of 5
Dependable
1.8out of 5
Value
1.8out of 5
Showing 20 of  109 Reviews
New York Life

NY Life Short Term Disability Team is Terrible

Reviewed by Dr. T on July 22nd 2025   Verified Policyholder | August 2024 date of disability
I am a physician and was in a high velocity rear impact car accident. The person slammed into my stopped car going almost 50mph. Was not physically or cognitively able to ...
New York Life

Lyme Disease Disability Claim Denial

Reviewed by Bob C. on November 13th 2024   Verified Policyholder
I have had repeat claims for genuine medical leave and they have repeatedly been denied by NY Life. I have even been diagnosed with Lyme and going through treatments and t...
New York Life

Disappointed with NY Life Disability Excuses

Reviewed by Carina S. on November 12th 2024   Verified Policyholder
I am beyond disappointed with NY Life Disability Insurance’s handling of my father’s claim. My father, a 66-year-old man who has suffered two strokes and continues to ...
New York Life

New York Life is a joke!

Reviewed by Heather on October 3rd 2024   Verified Policyholder | August 2024 date of disability
This company sucks when it comes to disability claims. They are slow at processing stuff, then they always say they didn't recieve the doctors information. You spend your ...
New York Life

Claiming They Are Not Receiving Paperwork

Reviewed by Macey on June 26th 2024   Verified Policyholder | February 2024 date of disability
After suffering from medical issues from my delivery in February, I had to have a colostomy bag placed. Now New York Life is trying to claim my condition was pre-existing ...
New York Life

Keeps claiming they will not approve claim for pre existing conditions but my illness is not preexisting

Reviewed by M.T. on February 15th 2024   Verified Policyholder | May 2023 date of disability
I have been appealing a claim for LTD for 8 months! New York Life keeps claiming they will not approve claim for pre existing conditions but my illness is not preexisting ...
New York Life

Payment delays!

Reviewed by Kim W on May 7th 2022   Verified Policyholder | September 2021 date of disability
I have a Long term disability claim with New York Life. Approval process did not take too long and they did start my LTD just a few days after my STD ended. First check wa...
New York Life

NYL denied my claim

Reviewed by Trapped in the cogs on March 7th 2022   Verified Policyholder | May 2021 date of disability
I’ve been an RN for 31 years. I lost 6 family members (3 of those to cancer) in 9 months and suffered a breakdown, I just couldn’t watch people die anymore. Cigna (NYL...
New York Life

Hold up on payments!!!

Reviewed by A Crews on January 20th 2022   Verified Policyholder | July 2021 date of disability
I have had 3 people on my case since July 2021! This last person Amanda S drag her feet on my claims and payments. I literally have to go to my mom for help! When I contac...
New York Life

Paid Family Leave

Reviewed by Paid Leave on January 4th 2022   Verified Policyholder | November 2021 date of disability
I haven’t received a single check while on paid family leave for over a month. Thankfully my wife is receiving from her job while on maternity leave. New York Life is ri...
New York Life

They should all rot in hell

Reviewed by Shawn on January 2nd 2022   Verified Policyholder | September 2020 date of disability
NY Life had been paying on my LTD policy for 7 months when I reached $100,000 in claims they had paid for me. Immediately my policy I had through my employer changed, the ...
New York Life

They will constantly come up with anything to delay paying you

Reviewed by Jackie on November 1st 2021   Verified Policyholder | August 2020 date of disability
I have been on disability since august of 2020 and it is now November 2021. I have not seen a dime from them and every time I call it's always something else they need or ...
New York Life

Don't count on New York Life!!! You will be very disappointed!!!

Reviewed by Evan on October 27th 2021   Verified Policyholder | September 2021 date of disability
I had complications to a previous hip surgery. I was given some time off to get the issues figured out. During this time I had complications with my prostate gland. I ende...
New York Life

They will do anything to avoid paying

Reviewed by Kayla on July 9th 2021   Verified Policyholder | June 2021 date of disability
I was under the impression they covered maternity leave until after I had my baby. I worked till the day I had him, my pregnancy was considered pre-existing so I have no c...
New York Life

New York Life denied my disability claim because they didn't read the "continued on next page"

Reviewed by Barbara on June 28th 2021   Verified Policyholder
I am Barbara. I worked for a Nursing Home in md of March 2005. I fell on ice and hurt my back, well I tried to keep working until 2006 but I had to have surgery on my spin...
New York Life

New York Life denied my STD claim

Reviewed by Jason G. on June 22nd 2021   Verified Policyholder
I was denied an STD claim by New York Life.
Reply
Sent on June 22nd 2021 by Attorney Jay Symonds

Jason, I suggest you contact our office and speak with one of the attorneys to discuss in more detail your circumstances and your options.

New York Life

New York Life denied me and I had no other choice but to go back to work when I wasn't ready

Reviewed by Maria G. on September 15th 2020   Verified Policyholder
I’ve had a lot of issues with New York Life. I am under stress and depression, they denied me and I had no other choice but to go back to work. I wasn’t getting the in...
Reply
Sent on September 15th 2020 by Attorney Jay Symonds

Maria: That sounds terrible. Once you returned to work your coverage likely remained in effect if your issues deteriorate in the future.

New York Life

New York Life claiming they never got the forms I sent them

Reviewed by Aaron Z. on August 25th 2020   Verified Policyholder
New York Life is denying my extension for short term disability. They ask for medical records, I send them, then New York Life never claims they got them.
Reply
Sent on August 25th 2020 by Attorney Rachel Alters

Aaron, you should have the right to appeal the determination. During the appeal process you can send in all the records again. I would send them certified.

New York Life

My doctor signed paperwork and they still denied my pregnancy claim

Reviewed by Macii on May 11th 2020   Verified Policyholder
I was denied my claim for short term disability regarding my claim. My first pregnancy was premature. This is my second pregnancy I am filing for and I was denied because ...
Reply
Sent on May 11th 2020 by Attorney Cesar Gavidia
Macii, you should review your denial letters to see what options are available for you to challenge the disability insurers decision. You should be given the option to app...
New York Life

I'm using my off time off when it should be under my New York Life short term disability

Reviewed by Tom M. on February 11th 2020   Verified Policyholder
New York Life is preparing to deny my continuance of a short term disability claim. I had surgery in December and at the 6 week review the doctor said I should stay off wo...
Reply
Sent on February 11th 2020 by Attorney Stephen Jessup
Tom, New York Life will have to (if they haven’t already) send you a detailed letter explaining the denial and your rights to appeal same. The majority of short term dis...

Resources to Help You Win Disability Benefits

Disability Benefit Denial Options
Submit a Strong New York Life Appeal Package

We work with you, your doctors, and other experts to submit a very strong New York Life appeal.

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Sue New York Life

We have filed thousands of disability denial lawsuits in federal Courts nationwide against New York Life.

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Protect Your Benefits
Get Your New York Life Disability Application Approved
We help claimants throughout the entire application process.

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Prevent a New York Life Disability Benefit Denial
We manage every aspect of your disability claim following claim approval.

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Negotiate a New York Life Lump-Sum Settlement

Our goal is to negotiate the highest possible buyout of your long-term disability policy.

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Answered Questions by Our Lawyers
(34)
Showing 4 of  34 Answered Questions

Q: SSDI Backpay and LTD Reimbursement: What New York Life Can and Can't Claim?

Answered on March 18th 2026 by Attorney Jay Symonds
A: The payment of retroactive SSDI benefits likely created and overpayment that you would be required to pay back...

Q: New York Life outstanding overpayment

Answered on July 17th 2025 by Attorney Gregory Dell
A: I am very sorry for your loss. There is a strong argument that you are not responsible, but they may be able t...

Q: What can I do if my appeal is denied?

Answered on July 7th 2025 by Attorney Jay Symonds
A: Andie, if the appeal is denied, NYL may offer a voluntary second level appeal. If not, you will have exhausted...

Q: LTD canceled their request for updated med records?

Answered on March 10th 2025 by Attorney Jay Symonds
A: Most Authorizations are only good for two years so depending on when you signed it, it may no longer be valid ...
Helpful Videos
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Showing 12 of  925 Videos
Disability Benefit Tips
(331)
Showing 4 of  331 Benefit Tips

How Will Sale of Cigna Disability Division to New York Life Insurance Co. Affect Disability Claimants?

On December 18, 2019 Cigna entered into an agreement to sell their disability insurance and life insurance division for $6.3 billion. This is a monster deal in the disability insurance world as Cigna was one of the top five largest disability insurance companies in the world prior to the sale.  With the purchase, NY Life Insurance company will instantly go from being a small disability insurance company to o...

Why Must Your Disability Insurance Lawyer Understand Your Disabling Condition?

When it comes to securing your disability insurance benefits, it's vitally important that your disability insurance lawyer thoroughly understands the symptoms and impact of your disabling condition. Doctors can help you create strong medical records, but they're not accustomed to dealing with the rigorous documentation disability insurance companies require. Lea...

Disability Benefit Denial Reason #5 – Your Medical Evidence is Weak

If you're seeking long term disability benefits from an insurance company, you may be concerned that you're facing an uphill battle. Fortunately, the stronger your medical evidence, the greater the odds that your claim will be approved. On the other side of the coin, one of the most common reasons for denial of long term disability benefits involves too-weak med...

Disability Benefit Denial Reason #4 - Your Doctor Is Misled By the Disability Company

When you're seeking disability insurance benefits, your medical records and treating physician's statement are two of the most important components of your claim. But because the insurance company has a vested interest in denying your disability insurance claim, it often will rely on tactics like ambushing your doctor with a phone call in an attempt to get them ...
Our Resolved Cases
(387)
Showing 4 of  387 Our Resolved Cases

New York Life Wrongfully Denied Disability Benefits to Lockheed Martin Employee with Eye Disorders

New York Life paid our client's long-term disability benefits for two years — and the moment the policy definition shifted at the 24-month mark, the insurer cut her off. She had spent 38 years at Lockheed Martin Corporation as an Information System Security Officer in Georgia, doing work built on classified cybersecurity, technical guidelines, sustained computer use, and det...

Veradigm Salesperson With PTSD Wins New York Life Disability Appeal

New York Life denied long-term disability benefits to an Arizona-based Veradigm Expert Solutions Specialist — a highly skilled IT professional responsible for delivering complex technical presentations to healthcare executives — based almost entirely on a paper review by a physician who never examined her, never spoke to her, and never evaluated the cognitiv...

Estes Express Diesel Mechanic Wins New York Life Disability Appeal After Prior Law Firm Sucked

Following a denial of his claim for Long Term Disability (LTD) benefits, our client came to us almost 7 months after he received an April 29, 2021 denial letter. Prior to contacting us, he had taken no action to challenge this denial and no administrative appeal had yet been filed. As his claim is governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)...

New York Life Approves Disability Benefits for School Teacher With Multiple Sclerosis

Our client, a former elementary school teacher suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, contacted our office after New York Life terminated her claim for short term disability benefits and spoke with Attorney Stephen Jessup. New York Life had initially approved her claim for short term disability benefits, but in doing so awarded benefits only on account of a mental health condition, even though our client had filed...
Disability Lawsuit Stories
(766)
Showing 4 of  766 Lawsuit Stories

Missouri Court Rules New York Life Wrongfully Terminated Disability Benefits

In the case of Lapidus vs. Life Ins. Co. of N. Am. a Missouri federal court ruled against New York Life finding that New York Life wrongfully terminated long term disability benefits to Lapidus after having initially approving her claim for benefits. Prior to filing for disability benefits Lapidus worked as the vice-president of medical benefits for BJC Healthcare. Despite having undergone a spinal fusion and ...

Missouri Court Orders New York Life to Pay LTD Benefits to Medical Sales Executive

The Plaintiff in this case was vice-president of Medical Benefits at BJC Healthcare when a severe back condition required her to have a spinal fusion. She was awarded short term disability (STD) benefits while she recovered. Unfortunately, she suffered serious complications following the surgery which delayed her recovery. Her application for long term disability (LTD) benefits was initially approved, but four...

Lockheed Martin Systems Integration Analyst Wins Long-term Disability Lawsuit against New York Life

Cal Van Steen had been employed as a Systems Integration Business Analyst at Lockheed Martin Corporation and participated in the company’s group long-term disability plan with New York Life.In 2011 while walking his dog he was assaulted during an altercation which resulted in a traumatic brain injury that affected Mr. Van Steen’s cognitive abilities, namely his abilities to concentrate, focus, organiza...

Court rules New York Life cannot use 24 month mental health limitation to deny disability benefits

Too many disability companies try to wrongfully use the 24 month mental nervous disorder limitation to deny long term disability insurance claims. How can New York Life pay disability benefits for 5 years and then claim a person should be limited to only 24 months of disability payments?In an ERISA Disability Lawsuit, a United States District Court in Oregon recently ruled that the New York Life decision t...

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Five Ways We Help Get Your Disability Benefit Paid

5 Ways We Help Get Your Benefits Paid

Get Your Disability Application Approved

Our goal is to get your application for disability insurance benefits approved. Applying for disability insurance benefits can be a difficult process and the information you provide is critical. Most disability insurance companies look at your application in hopes of finding a reason to deny your claim. Your disability company will ask you to complete numerous forms, interview you, request lots of information, speak with your doctors and possibly request to have you examined by their hired gun doctor.

Through our experience of having helped thousands of disability insurance claimants, our disability insurance lawyers will guide you through the entire application process and give you the best chance to get your disability claim approved the first time.

Submit A Strong Appeal Package

If your disability insurance benefits have been wrongfully denied, then our disability insurance lawyers know exactly what it takes to get your disability claim approved. You only get once chance to submit an Appeal, therefore every piece of evidence that will support your disability claim must be included. The goal is to win your disability benefits at the Appeal level, but while preparing your Appeal you must consider how a federal judge will review your disability claim if your benefit denial is upheld.

Preparing a strong disability appeal package is an art that requires you to understand how the courts interpret your disability policy language, ERISA regulations / laws, and how to strategically present evidence in support of your definition of disability. We encourage you to contact any of our long-term disability attorneys for a free immediate review of your disability denial.

Sue Your Disability Company

98% of the disability insurance lawsuits filed by our law firm have resulted in either the payment of benefits or a lump-sum settlement agreement. Our disability insurance attorneys have filed ERISA governed and private policy long term disability insurance lawsuits against every major disability insurance company in state and federal courts nationwide and we love fighting for the little guy against the multi-billion dollar insurance company giants.

We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients and we would like the opportunity to provide you with a free review of your disability benefit denial. There are many complex factors in a disability benefit lawsuit and the legal battle to win long term disability benefits can be fierce.

Prevent A Disability Benefit Denial

Approval of long-term disability is a continuous process as every disability insurance company will evaluate your eligibility for benefits on a monthly basis. You can never let your guard down and assume that your disability company will continue to pay your benefits for as long as you think you need them.

Our disability insurance law firm offers a reasonable flat fee monthly claim handling service in which we handle every aspect of your long-term disability claim and do whatever it takes to make sure you are paid every month.

Negotiate a Lump-Sum Settlement

Let's discuss if a lump-sum settlement or buyout of your disability insurance claim is both available and makes financial sense for you. Our disability insurance lawyers have negotiated more than five-hundred million dollars in disability insurance buyouts and we know how to get you a maximum settlement. A disability insurance company is not required to offer a buyout and not every disability company offers them.

Questions About Hiring Us

Who are Dell Disability Lawyers?

We are disability insurance attorneys that know how to get your short or long term disability benefits paid. As a nationwide law firm we have helped thousands of disability insurance claimants throughout the United States to collect hundreds of millions of dollars of disability insurance benefits from every major disability insurance company.

Our attorneys have been able to either get our clients paid monthly disability benefits or obtain a one-time lump-sum settlement in more than 98% of our cases. Our disability insurance lawyers have seen it all when it comes to disability insurance claims and we know exactly what it takes for your disability claim to be approved.

We offer disability insurance attorney representation nationwide and we welcome you to contact any of our LTD lawyers for a free immediate review of your disability claim. We also invite you to visit and subscribe to our YouTube channel where we have more than 900 videos and regularly provide tips to help protect your disability benefits.

Who do you help?

Our disability insurance attorneys help individuals that have either purchased a long term disability insurance policy from an insurance company or obtained short or long term disability insurance coverage as a benefit from their employer. We have helped individuals in almost every type of occupation with monthly disability benefit payments ranging from $1,500 to $50,000.

Our clients include all types of employees ranging from retail associates, sales representatives, government employees, police officers, teachers, janitors, nurses, pilots, truck drivers, financial advisors, doctors, dentists, veterinarians, lawyers, consultants, IT professionals, engineers, professional athletes, business owners, and high level executives.

A strong understanding and presentation of the duties of your occupation is essential for securing disability insurance benefits.

Do you work in my state?

Yes. We are a national disability insurance law firm that is available to represent you regardless of where you live in the United States. We have partner lawyers in every state and we have filed lawsuits in most federal courts nationwide. Our disability insurance lawyers represent disability claimants at all stages of a claim for disability insurance benefits. There is nothing that our lawyers have not seen in the disability insurance world.

What are your fees?

Since we represent disability insurance claimants at different stages of a disability insurance claim we offer a variety of different fee options. We understand that claimants living on disability insurance benefits have a limited source of income; therefore we always try to work with the claimant to make our attorney fees as affordable as possible.

The three available fee options are a contingency fee agreement (no attorney fee or cost unless we make a recovery), hourly fee or fixed flat rate.

In every case we provide each client with a written fee agreement detailing the terms and conditions. We always offer a free initial phone consultation and we appreciate the opportunity to work with you in obtaining payment of your disability insurance benefits.

Do I have to come to your office to work with your law firm?

No. For purposes of efficiency and to reduce expenses for our clients we have found that 99% of our clients prefer to communicate via phone, email, fax, or video conferencing sessions. If you prefer an initial in-person meeting please let us know. A disability company will never require you to come to their office and similarly we are set up so that we handle your entire claim without the need for you to come to our office.

How can I contact you?

When you call us during normal business hours you will immediately speak with a disability insurance attorney. We can be reached at 800-698-9159 or by email. Lawyers and staff must return all client calls same day. Client emails are usually replied to within the same business day and seem to be the preferred and most efficient method of communication for most clients.

Let's discuss your disability insurance claim

Call 800-698-9159 now to speak with one of our disability insurance lawyers or email one of our attorneys for an immediate response.

Five Ways We Help Get Your Disability Benefit Paid

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