As top life insurance lawyers, we know that life insurance policy exclusions can be ambiguous, which is why we fight denials of life insurance claims. Here are some examples with respect to suicide and/or self-inflicted injury denials that had ambiguous policy language.
GPM Life insurance Claim Denied: This case involved a dispute over whether the suicide exclusion in the policy applied to the insured’s death, which was ruled as an accident by the coroner. The ambiguity in this case was whether the term “suicide” in the policy meant only intentional self-inflicted death, or also included accidental self-inflicted death. The outcome was that the term was ambiguous.
Index Life Insurance Claim Denied: This case involved a dispute over whether the self-inflicted injury exclusion in the policy applied to the insured’s death, which was caused by a drug overdose. The ambiguity in this case was whether the term “self-inflicted injury” in the policy meant only intentional self-inflicted injury, or also included unintentional self-inflicted injury. The court found that the term was ambiguous.
Stonebridge Life Insurance Claim Denied: This case involved a dispute over whether the suicide exclusion in the policy applied to the insured’s death, which was caused by carbon monoxide poisoning from running a car engine in a closed garage. The ambiguity in this case was whether the term “suicide” in the policy meant only deliberate self-inflicted death, or also included reckless self-inflicted death. The outcome was that the term was ambiguous.
Split Dollar Life Insurance Claim Denied: This case involved a dispute over whether the suicide exclusion in the policy applied to the insured’s death, which was caused by a gunshot wound to the head. The ambiguity in this case was whether the term “suicide” in the policy meant only voluntary self-inflicted death, or also included involuntary self-inflicted death due to mental illness. The court found that the term was ambiguous.
Ethos Life Insurance Claim Denied: This case involved a dispute over whether the suicide exclusion in the policy applied to the insured’s death, which was caused by hanging. The ambiguity in this case was whether the term “suicide” in the policy meant only conscious self-inflicted death, or also included unconscious self-inflicted death due to alcohol intoxication. The outcome was that the term was ambiguous.
American Memorial Life Insurance Claim Denied: This case involved a dispute over whether the suicide exclusion in the policy applied to the insured’s death, which was caused by jumping off a bridge. The ambiguity in this case was whether the term “suicide” in the policy meant only rational self-inflicted death, or also included irrational self-inflicted death due to depression. The court found that the term was ambiguous.
Transpremier Life Insurance Claim Denied: This case involved a dispute over whether the suicide exclusion in the policy applied to the insured’s death, which was caused by stabbing himself multiple times with a knife. The ambiguity in this case was whether the term “suicide” in the policy meant only premeditated self-inflicted death, or also included impulsive self-inflicted death due to emotional distress. The outcome was that the term was ambiguous.
Occidental Life Insurance Claim Denied: This case involved a dispute over whether the suicide exclusion in the policy applied to the insured’s death, which was caused by setting himself on fire with gasoline. The ambiguity in this case was whether the term “suicide” in the policy meant only sane self-inflicted death, or also included insane self-inflicted death due to psychosis. The court found that the term was ambiguous.
American Equity Life Insurance Claim Denied: This case involved a dispute over whether the suicide exclusion in the policy applied to the insured’s death, which was caused by shooting himself with a rifle. The ambiguity in this case was whether the term “suicide” in the policy meant only willful self-inflicted death, or also included accidental self-inflicted death due to mishandling of a firearm. The outcome was that the term was ambiguous.
Oxford Life Insurance Claim Denied: This case involved a dispute over whether the suicide exclusion in the policy applied to the insured’s death, which was caused by overdosing on prescription drugs. The ambiguity in this case was whether the term “suicide” in the policy meant only purposeful self-inflicted death, or also included negligent self-inflicted death due to medication error. The outcome was that the term was ambiguous.
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