Posted on Tuesday, December 16th, 2025 at 8:00 am
When your long-term disability claim is under review, your insurance company may request a field interview. This in-person meeting with an investigator can feel intimidating. Understanding what happens during a disability field interview helps you prepare and protect your claim. The process is straightforward once you know what to expect. At Capitan Law, we help clients navigate this critical stage of their disability insurance claims.
Why Insurance Companies Request Field Interviews
Insurance companies conduct field interviews as part of their standard investigation process. They want to verify that the information in your claim matches your actual daily activities and limitations. The investigator’s job is to gather information, not to judge you. They document how you function at home, what activities you can perform, and how your condition affects your ability to work. This information goes into a detailed report that the insurance company uses to make decisions about your long-term disability benefits.
If your disability plan is ERISA-governed (most employer-sponsored plans), the insurance company must comply with ERISA’s claims procedures and fiduciary standards when conducting field interviews. However, ERISA does not establish specific deadlines for when interviews must occur. For individual disability policies (non-ERISA), state insurance regulations apply instead. Learn more about how ERISA affects long-term disability claims and how it impacts your rights during the investigation process.
Under 29 U.S.C. § 1134, ERISA plans must provide claimants with access to information and the ability to appeal denials. This federal regulation ensures that insurance companies follow proper procedures when investigating your claim. Understanding your rights under ERISA can significantly impact the outcome of your field interview and subsequent claim decision.
What to Expect During Your Interview
Who Will Conduct the Interview
A trained field investigator or claims representative will conduct your interview. This person is not a doctor or medical professional. They are trained to ask questions and observe your daily functioning. The investigator may take notes or record information during the meeting. They represent the insurance company’s interests, so remember that this is a formal process. Understanding how surveillance can affect your long-term disability claim can help you prepare for what to expect.
Many claimants are surprised to learn that investigators may conduct surveillance activities before, during, or after the field interview. These observations are documented and used to assess whether your reported limitations are consistent with your actual functioning. This is why consistency in your statements and actions is absolutely critical.
Where and When the Interview Takes Place
Most field interviews happen at your home. You can request an alternative location if you prefer, such as your attorney’s office, a coffee shop, or hotel lobby. The interview typically lasts between 30 minutes and one hour. Some may extend slightly longer. If an investigator requests more than one hour, you have the right to set boundaries based on your symptoms or scheduling constraints. Some insurance companies schedule interviews in advance. Others may conduct unannounced visits. Check your policy to understand what your insurance company allows.
Having legal representation during this process can help you negotiate the location, timing, and duration of the interview. Your attorney can ensure the investigator respects your rights and follows proper procedures throughout the meeting.
Types of Questions You’ll Be Asked
The investigator will ask about your daily routine. They’ll ask how you spend your time, what activities you can and cannot do, and how long you can perform certain tasks. They’ll ask about your work history and the specific duties of your job. You’ll discuss your medical treatment, doctors, and medications. Be prepared to explain your functional limitations and how your disability prevents you from working. This is where the role of medical evidence in a long-term disability claim becomes critical.
The investigator may also ask about your functional capacity and whether you’ve attempted any work activities. They want to understand the gap between what you claim you cannot do and what you actually do in your daily life. Consistency between your statements and your documented medical records is essential for a successful claim outcome.
How Capitan Law Helps With Field Interviews
At Capitan Law, our experienced attorneys help clients prepare for field interviews. Our legal team understands how insurance companies conduct investigations. We’ve worked with many clients through this process and know how to protect your rights. We prepare you for the questions you’ll face. We help you keep your answers consistent with your medical records and previous statements. Having legal representation during this process shows that you take your claim seriously. You also demonstrate that you understand your rights.
Our attorneys, including Joe Capitan and Deborah Lewis, focus their entire practice on disability insurance claims. This means we concentrate on helping people like you recover the benefits you deserve. We understand the nuances of ERISA benefits claims and how to navigate the complex investigation process.
We also help clients understand their options if the insurance company denies their claim after the field interview. Whether you need to file an appeal or pursue legal action, we’re here to protect your interests.
How to Prepare for Your Field Interview
Start by being honest about your condition and limitations. Review your medical records and treatment timeline. This helps you discuss them accurately. Understand your job duties. Be able to explain specifically why you cannot perform them. Prepare concrete examples of how your disability affects your daily life. For instance, instead of saying “I can’t sit,” explain, “I can sit for 20 minutes before my back pain becomes unbearable.”
Learn the best ways to document your disability for your claim to strengthen your position. Proper documentation is one of the most important factors in winning your claim. Make sure your medical records clearly describe your symptoms, limitations, and how they prevent you from working.
Avoid exaggerating or minimizing your symptoms. Stick to what your doctors have documented. If you’ve told your insurance company you cannot lift more than 10 pounds, don’t mention lifting anything heavier during the interview. Consistency is critical. Keep all your medical documentation organized and accessible. If the investigator asks for records, you can provide them promptly. Consider bringing copies of key medical records to the interview so you can reference them if needed.
If you have mental health conditions like depression or anxiety, be prepared to discuss how these conditions affect your ability to work. Many claimants with mental health disabilities struggle during field interviews because they appear “fine” on the surface. Explain the invisible nature of your condition and how it impacts your functioning.
Similarly, if you have chronic pain conditions or fibromyalgia, be ready to describe how pain affects your daily activities. Investigators often struggle to understand conditions that don’t have visible symptoms, so clear explanation is essential.
What NOT to Do During a Field Interview
Don’t discuss your job in negative terms. Comments about annoying coworkers, low pay, or a hostile work environment make it sound like you want to leave work. They don’t show that you cannot work. Don’t mention vacation or travel plans. If you’re well enough to travel, the investigator may question whether you’re truly disabled.
Don’t appear healthier than you’ve reported to your insurance company. If you’ve said you cannot walk more than a few blocks, don’t let the investigator see you walking around your neighborhood. Don’t contradict statements you’ve made in your application or previous communications. Don’t discuss settlement offers or legal matters with the investigator. Don’t feel pressured to answer questions immediately. It’s okay to take time to think before responding.
Understanding what not to say on your disability application applies equally to field interviews. Many claimants inadvertently say things that undermine their claims. For example, saying “I’m doing better” or “I had a good day” can be misinterpreted as evidence that you’re not truly disabled.
Don’t allow the investigator to pressure you into activities you cannot safely perform. If they ask you to demonstrate your limitations, you have the right to decline. Your medical records and doctor’s statements are sufficient evidence of your functional limitations. You don’t need to prove your disability through physical demonstration during the interview.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I refuse a field interview?
Most disability insurance policies allow the insurance company to request interviews. Refusing may result in claim denial. However, having legal representation can help you negotiate the terms and timing of the interview. In some cases, your attorney may be able to arrange for a phone interview instead of an in-person meeting, or request that the interview take place at your attorney’s office rather than your home.
What happens if the investigator catches me doing something?
A single activity taken out of context can be misleading. What matters is whether your overall functioning is consistent with your reported limitations. If your doctor says you can perform light activities for short periods, doing some light activity doesn’t contradict your disability claim. This is why having medical evidence that supports your limitations is so important.
Can I have my attorney present during the interview?
You have the right to insist that all communications go through your attorney. Most insurers will accommodate this request. If an insurer claims you cannot have an attorney present, ask them to identify the specific policy clause or statute that prohibits it. In most cases, they cannot. Your attorney protects your rights. They ensure the investigator follows proper procedures and doesn’t ask inappropriate questions.
Having an attorney present also prevents the investigator from misrepresenting what you said in their report. Many claimants find that having legal representation significantly improves the outcome of their field interview.
How long does the investigation take?
The investigation typically takes several weeks to months after your interview. This depends on the complexity of your case and the insurance company’s review process. Under ERISA regulations, the insurance company must make a decision within 45 days of receiving your claim. This can be extended to 105 days if additional information is needed.
If your claim is denied after the field interview, you have the right to appeal the denial. The appeal process gives you another opportunity to present evidence and challenge the insurance company’s decision.
What happens after the field interview?
After the interview, the investigator prepares a comprehensive report. They document what they observed and learned. The insurance company reviews this report along with all other evidence in your file. They then make a decision about whether to approve, deny, or continue your benefits. You receive written notification of their decision.
If your claim is denied, learn about your options for denied long-term disability benefits and your legal options. Many denials can be successfully appealed with proper legal representation. Don’t give up if your initial claim is denied. Contact an attorney to discuss your options.
Understanding Insurance Company Tactics
Insurance companies use field interviews as a tool to find reasons to deny claims. They’re looking for inconsistencies between what you’ve reported and what they observe. They may use surveillance before the interview to gather evidence they can use against you. They may also use independent medical examiners to challenge your doctor’s opinions.
Understanding these tactics helps you prepare. When you know what the insurance company is looking for, you can ensure your statements and actions are consistent with your reported limitations. This is why working with an experienced disability insurance attorney is so valuable.
Contact Capitan Law for Field Interview Support
If you have an upcoming field interview or need help preparing for one, contact Capitan Law today. We offer free consultations to discuss your situation. We explain how we can help. Our attorneys prepare you for the interview process. We can represent you during the meeting to protect your rights. We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay no fees unless we recover benefits for you.
Call (267) 419-7888 to schedule your free consultation. Take the first step toward protecting your disability claim by contacting our about page to learn more about our team and experience. You can also learn more about our attorneys and their track record of success in disability insurance claims.
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