$77,000 Boston Mutual Life Insurance Claim Denial Resolved
Life insurance is meant to offer peace of mind—protection for loved ones in the event of an unexpected death. But far too often, beneficiaries are blindsided by a denial letter when they file a claim. That was the case with a $77,000 Boston Mutual life insurance claim recently handled by our law firm. After the insurer refused to pay out, our life insurance lawyers took swift action and successfully recovered the full benefit for the family. We don’t just take on Boston Mutual. We fight denied claims involving Prudential Life, Globe Life, Mutual of Omaha, Corebridge Life, and every other major insurer—and we win.
Common Reasons Life Insurance Claims Get Denied
Insurance companies rely on strict policy language, exclusions, and underwriting guidelines to justify denials. While some of these reasons may seem valid on the surface, many are misapplied or exaggerated to avoid payouts. Here's how families can find themselves in the crosshairs of a denied claim:
High-Risk Activity Exclusions
Many life insurance policies exclude coverage for deaths that occur during extreme or hazardous activities such as skydiving, scuba diving, flying private planes, or mountain climbing. That was the case for Julio, an experienced skydiver who had no idea his policy excluded coverage for extreme sports. When he tragically died in a skydiving accident, his family’s claim was denied based on this clause. Insurers often bury these exclusions deep in the policy, leaving beneficiaries unaware until it’s too late.
Non-Disclosure of Health Conditions or Risky Behavior
One of the most common denial reasons is alleged misrepresentation on the initial application. If an insured individual omits health conditions, smoking history, or lifestyle risks—even unintentionally—the insurer may deny the claim. Bobby had a history of heart disease but failed to disclose it on his application. When he passed away from a heart attack, the insurer cited misrepresentation and refused to pay. Our lawyers fight these denials by proving the condition was immaterial or unrelated to the cause of death.
Policy Lapse Due to Missed Premiums
A lapsed policy can void coverage entirely. Lisa, struggling financially, missed several premium payments but assumed her policy was still in force. After her unexpected death, her family learned the policy had lapsed—and the claim was denied. However, our legal team often challenges lapses caused by insufficient notice, insurer error, or ambiguous grace period language.
Foreign Death Complications
Deaths that occur abroad can be especially difficult for beneficiaries. Insurers may reject claims based on inadequate documentation, questionable government records, or difficulty verifying the death. David died while vacationing in Ukraine, and his family faced enormous obstacles obtaining records that satisfied the insurer. We routinely handle foreign death denials and know how to work with consulates, embassies, and legal experts to validate claims.
Occupational Hazards and Work-Related Exclusions
Some policies exclude coverage for deaths occurring during the course of high-risk jobs such as firefighting, law enforcement, construction, or offshore drilling. Chris, a firefighter, died in the line of duty—but his life insurance policy contained a hazardous occupation exclusion. His family was denied the claim, but exclusions like this are not always enforceable. Our firm examines whether the policy was clearly explained and whether the occupation was properly disclosed during underwriting.
Deaths Ruled as Risky or Self-Inflicted Behavior
In certain cases, insurers deny claims when the death involves autoerotic asphyxiation, drug overdose, or other activities classified as high-risk or self-inflicted. In Willy’s case, his death was ruled accidental autoerotic asphyxiation. The insurer denied the claim citing a self-inflicted behavior exclusion. These cases are highly sensitive, but our lawyers understand how to challenge broad interpretations of exclusion clauses.
Incomplete Documentation and Filing Errors
Life insurance companies require a long list of documents: death certificates, medical records, claim forms, proof of beneficiary identity, and more. If something is missing or incorrectly filled out, the insurer may reject the claim outright. That happened to Maria, who simply forgot to submit one form. Her claim was denied until we stepped in and helped her refile with the required materials.
Beneficiary Disputes and Interpleader Actions
When multiple parties claim the right to receive benefits, insurers may file an interpleader lawsuit to shift the legal burden to the courts. This was the case for Thomas, who had two sets of heirs from different marriages. Both his current spouse and his adult children claimed the payout, leading to a legal standoff. Our firm handles these disputes and ensures the rightful beneficiary receives what they’re owed.
Fraud and Intentional Deception
If an insurer suspects fraud, such as falsified documents, fake death, or forged application details, they will immediately deny the claim and may pursue legal action. In a high-profile case we reviewed, an individual staged their own death abroad and left behind a fraudulent paper trail. When the scheme was uncovered, not only was the claim denied, but the co-conspirators faced criminal charges.
We Fight—and Win—Denied Life Insurance Claims
A denied life insurance claim doesn’t mean the end. It means it’s time to fight back. Our attorneys have reversed denials involving everything from contestability clauses to exclusion disputes, policy lapses, and interpleader conflicts. We’ve recovered millions for families who were wrongly denied and needed someone to advocate for them during their most vulnerable moments.
We take on Boston Mutual, Prudential, Corebridge, Globe, Unum, and every major insurance carrier in the country. Whether your claim is delayed, denied, or disputed, we’re here to help.
FAQ About Denied Life Insurance Claims
Why would Boston Mutual deny a life insurance claim?
Common reasons include misrepresentation, policy exclusions, lapsed coverage, or incomplete documentation. These denials can often be overturned with legal help.
What is an exclusion clause in life insurance?
It’s a provision in the policy that limits coverage under specific conditions, like extreme sports, suicide, or drug use. These clauses must be clearly written and fairly applied.
Can missed premium payments cause a claim denial?
Yes, but insurers must follow strict procedures before canceling a policy. We often prove that the lapse was due to administrative error or improper notice.
Is a claim still valid if the death occurred abroad?
Yes, but foreign deaths may trigger extra scrutiny. We help gather acceptable documents and push back if insurers act in bad faith.
Can family conflicts delay a payout?
Yes. If multiple people claim the benefit, the insurer may initiate an interpleader lawsuit. We represent clients in court to resolve these disputes.
What is considered life insurance fraud?
Faking a death, using forged documents, or lying on the application can be classified as fraud. However, insurers sometimes misuse the term to avoid payment.
Can I appeal a denied claim?
Absolutely. Our firm handles all stages of the appeal process and, if needed, files lawsuits to recover the benefit.
Do all risky jobs result in claim exclusions?
Not always. Many policies cover hazardous work if it was disclosed. We review each policy and fight exclusions that are buried or unclear.
What if the policyholder didn’t know about an exclusion?
We often argue that insurers failed to adequately explain exclusions or that they’re too ambiguous to be enforceable under the law.
What kind of documentation is required to file a claim?
Death certificate, proof of identity, medical records, and a completed claim form are typically required. We help families assemble the full package.