Was your SGLI life insurance claim denied due to an AWOL determination? Here’s what to do.
Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) offers vital protection to members of the U.S. military and their families. With coverage up to $400,000, it provides essential financial security when tragedy strikes. But when claims are denied based on allegations of misconduct—especially an AWOL designation—families often face confusion, grief, and legal roadblocks. The truth is, many of these denials are wrongful, based on incomplete facts or outdated assumptions. If your SGLI claim was denied due to AWOL status, you still have options.
SGLI: broad coverage—but not without exclusions
SGLI is among the most comprehensive life insurance options available to Americans. It covers death during combat, including those caused by acts of war—something many civilian policies do not. However, the program includes certain exclusions. One of the most controversial is the denial of benefits when the insured is found to have committed serious misconduct, such as treason, espionage, desertion, or going absent without leave (AWOL).
Unfortunately, these determinations aren’t always made fairly. In chaotic or dangerous missions, servicemembers may be misidentified as deserters when in fact they were captured, killed, or separated during combat. As a result, their families may be unfairly denied the benefits they’re owed—often when they need them most.
Joe’s story: from hero to wrongly accused
Joe was a career Marine with 12 years of honorable service. Known for his leadership and loyalty, he had completed multiple combat tours and was highly respected among his peers. At the time of his death, he was leading a ten-person recon mission in Afghanistan’s volatile Kandahar Province.
During the mission, Joe’s unit was ambushed. A barrage of gunfire and a sudden IED explosion decimated the group. While backup eventually arrived, eight of the ten soldiers were confirmed dead. Joe and his longtime friend Mark were missing, along with all of their equipment. At first, military officials assumed they had perished in the explosion.
But things took a turn when soldiers found unsettling evidence in Mark’s belongings—notes and correspondence suggesting he had been communicating with enemy forces. Based on this discovery, military officials presumed Mark had defected and was aiding the Taliban. Because Joe and Mark disappeared together, and were close friends, military leadership grouped Joe into the same category—AWOL.
There was no evidence Joe had done anything wrong. But without his body, and in the shadow of Mark’s apparent betrayal, the military reclassified Joe’s disappearance as desertion.
Initial denial—and a grieving widow’s helplessness
Joe’s wife, Sarah, was devastated by her husband’s presumed death. She filed a claim under his SGLI policy, expecting at least the financial security that Joe had ensured through years of service. Instead, she received a denial letter. The insurer cited Joe’s AWOL status and stated that the policy would not pay benefits to anyone whose death occurred while voluntarily abandoning their post.
With no body, and no way to disprove the designation, Sarah felt powerless. She tried appealing but was told she had one year to contest the denial. Feeling hopeless, she let it go—until 18 months later, when the truth finally came out.
New evidence—and a second denial
During a later military operation, recovery teams found Joe’s remains in a remote, mountainous area near the original ambush. It was clear from the condition of his body that he had died in the same attack as his fellow soldiers. There was no evidence he had deserted, no signs of collaboration, and no indication he had survived the ambush or left the battlefield voluntarily.
With new hope, Sarah submitted a new SGLI claim—armed with confirmation of her husband’s death and the exoneration she had long believed in. But incredibly, she was denied again. This time, the insurer claimed that her new filing was an “untimely appeal” of the original claim denial.
Legal intervention made all the difference
Frustrated and confused, Sarah contacted a law firm that focuses exclusively on life insurance claim denials, including those under SGLI. The attorney quickly identified the real problem: the insurer had treated her second claim as a late appeal instead of a new claim based on newly discovered evidence. The insurer’s failure to properly evaluate the circumstances was more than an oversight—it was a denial of due process.
The attorney prepared a detailed letter brief. It outlined:
A chronological timeline of events
The military’s reclassification of Joe’s status after his body was recovered
Legal precedent showing that SGLI benefits can and should be paid when a presumed AWOL status is later proven false
In support, the lawyer cited other military cases where benefits were awarded posthumously, despite initial classifications of desertion. The brief emphasized that denying the claim now, in light of conclusive evidence of Joe’s death during active duty, would be legally indefensible.
Within weeks, the insurer reversed its position. Sarah received the full $400,000 SGLI payout, plus interest from the date of the original claim.
Why military families must fight denied SGLI claims
Sarah’s case is far from unique. Wrongful AWOL determinations, paperwork errors, and incomplete investigations have all led to improper denials of SGLI claims. Many beneficiaries never challenge the decision, believing the government or insurer must be right. Others miss key deadlines or lack the resources to fight back.
But SGLI is a contractual right—not a favor. If you are a named beneficiary and your claim was denied, you have legal standing to pursue payment. Especially when misconduct accusations are unfounded or later disproven, insurers can and should be held accountable.
If your SGLI claim was denied for AWOL or misconduct, don’t give up. Let us review your case.
FAQ: SGLI Denials and AWOL Classifications
Can SGLI benefits be denied if the servicemember is AWOL?
Yes—but only if the AWOL status is confirmed and voluntary. If the classification is incorrect or later disproven, the insurer may still be obligated to pay.
What if the servicemember is later found dead after being declared AWOL?
You may file a new claim. If the original denial was based on the absence of a body or uncertainty about death, newly discovered evidence can overturn the decision.
Is there a time limit to appeal a denied SGLI claim?
Generally, yes. Most insurers impose a one-year deadline. However, if new evidence emerges, you may be able to submit a new claim, not an appeal—especially if the original denial was based on misinformation.
Can I fight a denial based on treason, espionage, or misconduct?
Yes. You have the right to challenge the classification and demand proof. A life insurance attorney can investigate whether the denial was proper and build a case for payment.
How can a lawyer help with SGLI denials?
Experienced attorneys know how to challenge AWOL designations, locate military records, and navigate appeal or litigation processes. They can often resolve disputes faster and more effectively than families working alone.