Learn About 20 Denied Life Insurance Claim Questions and Answers
Q: What is a denied life insurance claim? A: A denied life insurance claim is when an insurance company refuses to pay out the death benefit to the beneficiary of a policy.
Q: Why do life insurance claims get denied? A: Life insurance claims can be denied for various reasons, such as material misrepresentation on the application, policy lapses, or the death not being covered by the policy terms.
Q: Can a life insurance claim be denied due to suicide? A: Yes, many life insurance policies have a suicide exclusion clause that may lead to a claim denial if the policyholder dies by suicide within a specific time frame after the policy is issued, but our life insurance attorneys fight these denials.
Q: Can a claim be denied if the policyholder died in a foreign country? A: It depends on the policy terms. Some policies may have restrictions or exclusions for deaths that occur in specific foreign countries.
Q: How can I appeal a denied life insurance claim? A: You contact one of our top life insurance lawyers to fight the insurance company.
Q: What should I do if my life insurance claim is denied? A: If your claim is denied, you should call us immediately to discuss the options.
Q: Can a claim be denied if the policyholder had a pre-existing medical condition? A: A claim can be denied if the policyholder failed to disclose a pre-existing medical condition on the application, which could be considered material misrepresentation, but our life insurance lawyers fight these cases and win.
Q: Are there time limits for filing a life insurance claim? A: Yes, most life insurance policies have a time limit for filing a claim. You should review your policy for specific details.
Q: Can a life insurance claim be denied if the premiums were not paid on time? A: Yes, if the policy lapsed due to non-payment of premiums, a claim may be denied.
Q: What should I do if the insurance company denies a claim due to alleged misrepresentation? A: You retain one of our life insurance lawyers to fight and win.
Q: Can a claim be denied if the cause of death is under investigation? A: It is possible for a claim to be initially delayed if the cause of death is under investigation, but it may not be denied if the investigation clears the policyholder.
Q: Can a beneficiary of a life insurance policy be changed after the policyholder's death? A: Generally, beneficiaries can only be changed with the policyholder's consent before their death. After the policyholder's death, beneficiaries are typically irrevocable. Our life insurance lawyers fight all beneficiary disputes and interpleader lawsuits.
Q: Can a denied life insurance claim be refiled if additional evidence becomes available? A: Yes, you retain our firm who submits a 200 page legal brief to the insurance company’s general counsel.
Q: Is there a specific process for appealing a denied life insurance claim? A: Yes, but don’t make the mistake of responding yourself, as cases involving work policies allow only one appeal.
Q: Can a life insurance claim be denied if the policyholder engaged in risky activities, like extreme sports? A: Some policies have exclusions for specific high-risk activities, and a claim may be denied if the policyholder's death resulted from such activities.
Q: Can the insurance company deny a claim if the policy was recently purchased? A: Insurers may review new policies closely, but a legitimate claim should not be denied solely because the policy was recently purchased. Insurance companies commonly falsely claim that you can’t get paid in the first couple years which is patently false.
Q: Can a life insurance claim be denied for non-disclosure of smoking habits? A: Yes, if the policyholder failed to disclose smoking habits, and it's a material misrepresentation, the claim could be denied.
Q: What role do beneficiaries play in the life insurance claim process? A: Beneficiaries play a crucial role by submitting the claim, providing necessary documents, and communicating with the insurance company.
Q: Can a claim be denied if the policyholder's death occurred during the contestability period? A: During the contestability period (usually the first two years of the policy), claims can be denied for material misrepresentation, but the burden of proof is on the insurer. The insurance company may falsely claim that you won’t be paid because the death occurred in the contestability period.
Q: Can an attorney help in the process of appealing a denied life insurance claim? A: Yes, our life insurance attorneys have been fighting and winning cases for over two decades.