When life insurance claims are denied under a suicide exclusion—without evidence
Life insurance policies often contain provisions that insurers can exploit to avoid paying legitimate claims. One of the most commonly misused clauses is the suicide exclusion. While this clause is intended to prevent fraud, some insurers apply it even when there is no indication that the policyholder died by suicide. If you've received a denial letter citing suicide as the reason, but you suspect otherwise, it's critical to seek legal help immediately.
Why insurers invoke the suicide clause so often
The premature loss of a loved one is already devastating. Unfortunately, beneficiaries are often left dealing with more than just grief. There’s the pressure of managing funeral arrangements, handling financial responsibilities, and filing a life insurance claim—all while trying to cope emotionally. In this vulnerable time, the last thing a grieving family member should face is a life insurance company denying benefits that were meant to offer financial relief.
Yet, that's exactly what happens in far too many cases. In our experience as life insurance attorneys, we've seen insurers deny claims based on shaky reasoning, forcing beneficiaries to fight for the money that was contractually promised. These aren’t accidents. Life insurance companies operate to generate profit. When they successfully deny a claim—especially a large one—they save money, boost profits, and improve their financial reports. The system incentivizes them to find any clause, however questionable, that might justify not paying out a policy.
One of the most common pretexts used to deny claims is the suicide exclusion clause. Typically, this clause allows insurers to avoid paying the death benefit if the insured dies by suicide within the first two years of the policy. While this may seem reasonable in theory, it becomes problematic when insurers rely on speculation, incomplete evidence, or flawed assumptions to claim that an accidental death was actually suicide.
The story of Steven and Matthew: A tragic fall, not a suicide
Consider the case of Steven, a skilled high-rise steelworker with more than 20 years of experience. Steven had secured a $2 million employer-provided life insurance policy and named his only son, Matthew, as the sole beneficiary. The bond between Steven and Matthew was incredibly strong—fueled not only by their shared grief from losing Steven’s wife years earlier, but also by their joint passion for restoring vintage cars.
Steven’s work was dangerous, but he was highly competent. One windy afternoon, while installing steel beams on the 15th story of a new office building, a sudden gust caught him off guard. He reached for a beam to stabilize himself, but the wind overpowered him. He fell and died on impact. Police investigated immediately. Their findings, confirmed by multiple eyewitnesses, concluded the death was accidental. The official death certificate clearly listed the cause of death as “accidental fall.”
Still mourning, Matthew did everything right. He filed the claim with the insurer, attaching all necessary documentation, including the death certificate and police report. He assumed there would be no complications. Instead, he received a denial letter a few weeks later. The insurance company stated that Steven’s death fell within the suicide exclusion period, asserting there was no other plausible explanation but suicide.
Challenging a baseless suicide exclusion
Matthew was stunned. His father had shown no signs of mental distress, and the idea that he would intentionally fall from a high beam ran contrary to everything Matthew knew. More importantly, multiple eyewitnesses had already confirmed that the fall was caused by a sudden gust of wind. Matthew immediately began searching for legal representation.
He was eventually referred to an attorney who specialized in wrongful life insurance claim denials. The attorney wasn’t surprised. He had dealt with this insurer before and knew their pattern of aggressively invoking the suicide clause—even when evidence didn’t support it.
A lawsuit was filed promptly, alleging both breach of contract and bad faith denial. The latter claim, if proven, could lead to punitive damages, creating pressure on the insurer to resolve the matter quickly. The case proceeded to arbitration, where Matthew’s legal team presented compelling evidence: the official police report, detailed witness accounts, and proof of Steven’s plans for the future, including the car show he had been planning with his son.
The insurer had nothing concrete to support their suicide theory—no note, no history of mental illness, no prior attempts. Their position relied entirely on a contrived interpretation of events. The arbitrator ruled decisively in Matthew’s favor, ordering the insurer to pay the full $2 million benefit plus interest. The insurance company chose not to appeal.
Insurers routinely misuse exclusions like this—don’t face it alone
Matthew’s story is powerful, but it’s far from unique. We routinely see life insurance companies deny claims by stretching policy provisions to unreasonable limits. Suicide exclusions, misrepresentations, and alleged lapses in coverage are all frequent tools insurers use to delay or deny legitimate benefits.
Many beneficiaries don’t realize they can fight back—and win. Insurers are banking on the idea that grieving family members won’t have the resources or knowledge to challenge a denial. But with legal support, beneficiaries can often recover what they’re rightfully owed. Legal challenges to suicide-based denials are especially strong when there’s no clear evidence the policyholder intended to end their life.
What to do if your claim was denied based on suicide
If you've received a denial letter referencing a suicide clause but you believe your loved one’s death was accidental, it's essential to act quickly. Gather all available documentation, including the death certificate, police reports, and any correspondence from the insurance company. Do not attempt to argue the case yourself—insurers have teams of lawyers whose job is to protect their bottom line.
Instead, reach out to attorneys who understand how these policies work and who can counter the insurer’s arguments with legal and factual evidence. Many firms, including ours, work on a contingency basis for denied life insurance claims—meaning you don’t pay unless we recover benefits for you.
FAQ: Denied Life Insurance Claims and Suicide Exclusions
Can a life insurance company deny a claim just by alleging suicide?
No. Insurers must have credible evidence to support a suicide determination. A vague suspicion or unsupported theory isn’t enough to justify denying benefits.
What kind of evidence helps dispute a suicide-based denial?
Key evidence includes the death certificate, autopsy results, police reports, witness statements, and proof of future plans. Anything showing the policyholder had no intent to die helps counter a suicide allegation.
Does the suicide clause apply after two years?
Typically, no. Most suicide exclusions expire after the first two policy years. After that period, suicide is treated like any other cause of death.
Can beneficiaries sue for bad faith if a claim is wrongfully denied?
Yes. If an insurer denies a claim without proper justification, beneficiaries can sue for breach of contract and bad faith, which may result in punitive damages.
What if the death was ruled an accident but the insurer still denied the claim?
That’s a red flag. If official reports confirm an accidental death and the insurer still cites suicide, legal action may be necessary to force payment.
Is there a time limit to dispute a denied life insurance claim?
Yes, deadlines apply and vary by state. It’s crucial to consult a life insurance lawyer promptly after receiving a denial letter.