When your father, a 77-year-old smoker who passed away from a myocardial infarction, dies with a basic life insurance policy intended to cover his funeral and medical expenses, the last thing your family expects is to have trouble collecting the benefits. Your mother, already grieving, is left to deal with a mountain of paperwork and legalese, feeling overwhelmed and vulnerable in the face of such a daunting task.
Sadly, many families face similar struggles when life insurance companies deny or delay claims. And unfortunately, these challenges can sometimes be due to the policyholder's medical history, including things like marijuana use, or other factors that are irrelevant to the cause of death.
The Dark Side of Life Insurance: Denials and Delays
The life insurance industry, worth over $50 billion, is built on profit. Insurance companies want to pay out as little as possible, and sometimes, they delay or outright deny benefits to survivors, hoping they’ll give up or pass away before the claim is paid out. This unfortunate practice isn’t confined to small, cut-rate insurance companies — even nationally recognized firms employ tactics that lead to claim denials and delays.
Here’s how life insurance companies may try to avoid paying your family:
Blaming the hospital: They might argue that they haven't received necessary medical records or documentation, even if they have.
Contestability period: They could claim the death occurred within the contestability period (typically the first two years), allowing them to investigate and potentially void the policy.
Suspicious circumstances: Insurers may suggest the death was suspicious, or blame pre-existing conditions, like your father’s marijuana use, even though it wasn't related to his heart attack.
Failure to provide documentation: Insurance companies may ask for income tax returns or other documents that delay the claim process.
Misleading forms: They might send confusing or misleading forms, only to blame the beneficiaries for not filling them out properly or on time.
This type of delay tactic can often leave surviving family members feeling helpless and frustrated.
Why You Need a Life Insurance Attorney
Fighting an insurance company on your own can be an uphill battle. Navigating the complexities of life insurance policies and claims processes is difficult, especially when you’re grieving. This is where a life insurance lawyer comes in.
Here’s how our attorneys can help your family:
Correct paperwork: We ensure that the forms are filled out correctly and submitted on time, helping to avoid common mistakes that can delay claims.
Understanding communications: We read and interpret the insurer’s communications, explaining what they require and helping you respond appropriately.
Pressure to pay: Our lawyers will apply pressure to the insurance company to speed up the claims process and prevent further delays.
Legal support: We will prepare and submit a detailed legal brief, citing relevant case law and legal precedents to support your claim.
Get your claim paid: Whether through settlement or litigation, we work tirelessly to ensure that your delayed or denied claim is paid promptly.
Let Us Help You Get the Money You Deserve
When a life insurance claim is wrongfully denied or delayed, you need an advocate on your side. Our life insurance attorneys have years of experience fighting against large insurance companies. We can help you get the benefits your family deserves — so you don’t have to worry about funeral expenses, unpaid medical bills, or financial hardship.
Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us help your family navigate the complex life insurance claims process.