A significant number of life insurance claims are denied because of the non-disclosure of pre-existing medical conditions. Whether this omission is intentional or unintentional, its repercussions can be devastating, leaving beneficiaries without the money that they expected. The life insurance lawyers of LifeInsuranceAttorney.com fight these denials and win.
When applying for life insurance, insurers rely heavily on the information provided by the applicant to assess risk and determine premiums. Medical history, including pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, or mental health issues, plays an important role in this evaluation. Failing to disclose these conditions, even when they seem minor or irrelevant, can lead to the policy being voided. Applicants may be accused of omitting or downplaying their health history on life insurance applications.
The denial of a claim due to non-disclosure is particularly disturbing for grieving families. Often, beneficiaries are unaware of the details of the policyholder's application or medical history. They learn of the non-disclosure only when they file a claim and receive a rejection notice. The emotional distress of losing a loved one is compounded by the financial uncertainty resulting from the denied claim. In some cases, the non-disclosure is not deliberate. Applicants may genuinely forget to mention a condition or fail to realize its significance. They might also assume that a condition treated years ago is irrelevant or that the insurer will uncover all necessary details during the underwriting process. However, most life insurance policies include a clause stating that the burden of accurate disclosure rests with the applicant. If discrepancies are found, particularly within the contestability period (usually the first two years of the policy), the insurer will try to deny the claim or rescind the policy entirely.
Our top life insurance lawyers fight these claims and win.