Can Life Insurance Claims Be Denied Due to Alcohol Use?
Yes, life insurance claims are frequently denied when alcohol use is involved—especially in cases where the insured died while driving under the influence. Most policies contain exclusions for self-inflicted harm, illegal behavior, or intoxication-related deaths. As a result, alcohol-related deaths are among the most commonly contested and denied life insurance claims.
We recently helped a client recover a $1.3 million life insurance benefit from Unum after the insurer initially denied the claim based on allegations of alcohol use. That case—and many others we’ve handled—demonstrates how insurance companies routinely exploit intoxication clauses to avoid paying out, even when the facts don’t support their denial.
Why Alcohol Use Is Scrutinized in Life Insurance Claims
When you apply for life insurance, the application typically includes questions about your alcohol consumption. You are not expected to be alcohol-free, but honesty is essential. If the insured lies about alcohol use—especially if they’ve received treatment for alcohol abuse or have prior DUIs—and later dies in an accident involving alcohol, the insurer may cite material misrepresentation and rescind the policy. That means no payout to the beneficiaries.
Even if the policy was valid and in force, many insurers look for ways to apply alcohol-related exclusions to deny benefits after a fatal accident.
Most Life Insurance Policies Deny Claims for Self-Inflicted Deaths
Insurers often argue that driving under the influence is a form of self-inflicted harm. Their rationale is that the insured knowingly engaged in a high-risk activity—drinking and driving—which directly caused their own death. In these cases, insurers rely on provisions like:
Suicide or self-inflicted injury exclusions
Inherently dangerous activity exclusions
Illegal acts exclusions
If a blood alcohol test confirms intoxication above the legal limit, insurers are likely to label the accident “foreseeable” or “self-caused,” denying the claim outright—even if no suicide was intended.
Driving Under the Influence Is Illegal—and That Matters
In most states, a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher is enough to trigger a criminal charge of DUI. If the insured was legally intoxicated at the time of a fatal accident, insurers can—and frequently do—deny life insurance payouts based on the violation of law exclusion in the policy. In many cases, even if the crash wasn’t caused by alcohol, just the presence of an elevated BAC can lead to a denial.
What If Alcohol Was in the System, But Didn’t Cause the Death?
This is where legal complexity often enters the picture. If the insured had alcohol in their system but the accident was caused by an external factor—such as another driver’s error, mechanical failure, or inclement weather—the claim may still be valid. Unfortunately, insurers are quick to assume causation simply based on BAC levels. But:
If the BAC was under the legal limit, there may be no legal violation
If intoxication did not directly cause the accident, exclusions may not apply
If policy language requires illegal activity to be the sole cause of death, the denial may be challengeable
In many of these cases, beneficiaries can fight back and win. Courts have increasingly rejected the idea that the mere presence of alcohol automatically nullifies a life insurance claim.
Our Recent Win Against Unum: A $1.3 Million Reversal
In one of our recent cases, Unum denied a life insurance claim after alleging that the insured had been under the influence of alcohol at the time of a fatal car crash. The policy included a clause excluding benefits for self-inflicted injuries and unlawful behavior. However, the evidence showed that the insured was not the cause of the accident and was driving legally just prior to the crash.
We thoroughly reviewed the toxicology reports, police investigation, and autopsy findings. Our legal team presented compelling evidence that the insured's actions were not illegal or self-destructive. After extensive negotiation—and the threat of litigation—Unum reversed its denial and paid our client the full $1.3 million death benefit.
Legal Help Can Make the Difference
If your claim has been denied based on allegations of alcohol use, you need legal help immediately. Insurance companies count on policyholders and beneficiaries not understanding the fine print. They may reference broad, vague exclusions and hope you’ll walk away. Don’t.
Our attorneys can:
Review the police report, autopsy, toxicology, and policy documents
Determine if alcohol was the actual cause of death
Identify any procedural errors, misrepresentations, or weak denial justifications
File an appeal or lawsuit if the insurer refuses to pay
Even if your loved one had alcohol in their system, it doesn’t mean the life insurance policy is void.
Denied Due to Alcohol? Don’t Give Up. Call Our Life Insurance Lawyers Today.
Alcohol-related exclusions are one of the most frequently abused reasons for life insurance claim denials. If your claim was denied due to DUI, intoxication, or alleged self-inflicted harm, we can help. Our law firm focuses exclusively on denied life insurance claims. We’ve fought every major insurer—and won.
Let us review your case for free. You pay nothing unless we recover for you.