False statements on life insurance applications can lead to a denied life insurance claim. When applying for life insurance, honesty is a requirement. A life insurance application is a legal document that determines not only your eligibility for coverage but also the validity of any future claims. False statements, whether intentional or accidental, can lead to a denied life insurance claim. Our top life insurance lawyers fight all denied claims due to alleged false statements. Material misrepresentation refers to any false or omitted information that could influence the insurer’s decision to issue a policy or set the terms of coverage. Insurers rely heavily on accurate data to assess risk. For example, if an applicant falsely claims they do not smoke but a medical record shows a history of smoking, the insurance company would likely deny the claim.
Life insurance applications focus on an applicant’s health history. Questions about pre-existing conditions, past surgeries, and family medical history give insurers a view of an applicant’s health risks. Failing to disclose a chronic illness or prior medical condition is one of the most frequent causes of denied claims. For instance, if an applicant omits a diagnosis of diabetes and later dies, the insurer could argue that the policy was issued under false pretenses. Even unintentional error such as forgetting a minor surgery or an ER visit can lead to a denied life insurance claim.
Failing to disclose criminal history on a life insurance application can lead to a denied life insurance claim. Omitting criminal history, especially if explicitly required in the application, is considered a form of material misrepresentation or fraud.
Though less common, financial misrepresentation can also impact a life insurance claim. Insurers often assess financial need and existing coverage to prevent overinsurance. Providing false information about income, debts, or net worth could be a basis for a denied claim.
Most life insurance policies include a contestability period, typically lasting two years from the policy’s inception. During this time, insurers have the right to investigate claims and review the original application for inaccuracies. If false statements are discovered during the contestability period, the insurer may deny the claim or rescind the policy altogether. For example, if an applicant claims to be in excellent health but dies within the contestability period, the insurer will order medical records and any discrepancies could lead to a denied claim.
Our life insurance law firm handles denied claims due to alleged false statements, and we win. We will handle your: denied Globe Life claim; denied Banner Life claim; denied Colonial Life claim; denied CUNA life claim; and denied claim from any life insurance company.