Life Insurance Lawyer Florida

Florida denied life insurance claims: answers to common questions

What should I do if my life insurance claim was denied in Florida?
You should speak with an experienced Florida life insurance attorney as soon as possible. Many denials are issued based on incorrect or incomplete interpretations of the policy or Florida law, and legal help is often the key to recovering full benefits.

What if I’ve been served with an interpleader lawsuit involving a Florida life insurance policy?
An interpleader means the insurer is asking a court to decide who should receive the death benefit. It’s crucial to have a Florida life insurance lawyer represent you and protect your rights in these disputes.

How do I handle a beneficiary dispute in Florida?
If more than one person is claiming the life insurance proceeds—or if someone is contesting the named beneficiary—you need a lawyer familiar with Florida’s life insurance laws. These cases often involve ex-spouses, new partners, or adult children.

Why would a Florida accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) claim be denied?
AD&D claims are often denied if the insurer alleges the death was not truly accidental or if it involved a policy exclusion such as a high-risk activity. We can investigate and challenge these denials on your behalf.

Can a life insurance claim be denied in Florida due to a policy lapse?
Yes, but the denial may be improper. If the insurer failed to follow Florida’s notice requirements or the death occurred during a grace period, the policy might still be in force. We’ve reversed many such denials.

Is a claim denial due to misrepresentation on the application valid in Florida?
Only if the misrepresentation was material and intentional. Insurers often misuse this reason to avoid paying. Our attorneys can dispute these denials by reviewing the application and underwriting file.

Can a claim be denied because alcohol was involved in the insured’s death?
Possibly, but alcohol exclusions must be clearly written and properly applied. We frequently challenge denials where the insurer fails to meet its burden under Florida law.

How does the contestability period affect life insurance claims in Florida?
If the insured dies within the first two years of the policy, the insurer can investigate the application for misstatements. Even then, they must prove the misrepresentation was relevant. We’ve successfully overturned many contestability-based denials.

What should I do if my denial letter says Florida law supports the denial?
Insurers often cite statutes selectively. Florida law contains protections for policyholders and beneficiaries. We’ll review the denial and determine whether the insurer’s legal basis holds up.

Which life insurance companies deny the most claims in Florida?
Florida Combined Life in Jacksonville and American Fidelity in Pensacola are frequently reported for issuing a high volume of denials, but any insurer can deny valid claims without proper cause.

What happens if the insured died during a high-risk activity like skydiving?
Some policies exclude hazardous activities, but these exclusions are often narrowly defined. We’ve recovered benefits in Florida cases involving skydiving and other so-called “excluded” activities.

Can I fight a denial where the insurer claims the death was suspicious or under investigation?
Yes. We handle cases where insurers delay or deny claims based on vague suspicions. If there is no clear proof of wrongdoing, these denials can often be successfully contested.

What if the insurer says a condition was omitted from the application?
They must prove the omission was intentional and would have affected approval. We’ve overturned many denials by showing the alleged omission was minor or unrelated to the cause of death.

Can I still collect if the insured died in another country?
Yes, depending on the policy. Some policies include foreign death exclusions, but they must be specifically stated and legally enforceable. We’ve won claims involving deaths outside the U.S.

Does Florida have an automatic revocation law for ex-spouses named as life insurance beneficiaries?
Yes. Florida law generally revokes ex-spouses as beneficiaries upon divorce unless the policyholder reaffirmed the designation afterward. If an ex-spouse is still named, we can help determine whether the statute applies.

Is Florida a community property state, and can a spouse claim life insurance proceeds?
No, Florida is not a community property state. However, in some cases a surviving spouse may still have a legal claim to part of the policy, especially if premiums were paid with marital assets. These cases can be complex and often require legal analysis.

Can a will override a named life insurance beneficiary in Florida?
No. Life insurance proceeds go to the named beneficiary on the policy, regardless of what a will says. However, disputes can arise if the beneficiary designation is outdated or unclear.

What if a life insurance agent filled out the application incorrectly?
You may still be entitled to benefits. If an agent made errors or omitted information, the insurer may be held accountable. We’ve handled numerous cases involving agent error.

What if the policy was recently changed and a new beneficiary was added?
Beneficiary changes close to death are often challenged. We can evaluate whether the change was valid or the result of undue influence, mental incapacity, or fraud.

Can I file a lawsuit if my Florida life insurance claim is delayed for too long?
Yes. If the insurer is dragging its feet without good reason, you may have a claim for bad faith. We can compel them to pay and, in some cases, recover additional damages.

2025 Florida Denied Life Insurance Claims: Settlements & verdicts

• JRC Life alcohol denial $130,000.00
• AARP coronavirus rejected $103,700.00
• Denied FEGLI claim Florida $239,000.00
• Liberty National suicide exclusion $211,000.00
• Nassau COVID-19 not known illness $116,000.00
• Stonebridge beneficiary dispute $306,000.00
• Denied SGLI claim Florida $400,000.00
• New York Life misrepresentation claim $25,000.00
• Denied AD&D claim Florida $820,500.00
• Colonial Penn Life medical records $310,000.00
• Bank of America nicotine denial $101,400.00
• Landmark Life benefits rejected $48,000.00
• Paul Revere autoerotic asphyxiation $205,900.00
• Bankers Life felony exclusion $23,000.00
• Dearborn National Life death proceeds delay $11,000.00
• Great Southern Life asphyxiation death $78,000.00
• Berkshire Life long delay benefits $36,000.00
• Garden State Life grace period delay $52,000.00
• Navy Mutual Life contested beneficiaries $402.981.00
• Loyal American Life spouse override beneficiary $39,000.00
• Franklin Life cancer death medical records $85,000.00
• Trinity Life accidental suicide denied $72,000.00
• Legacy Life contestable period $239,000.00
• KY Life girlfriend versus ex-wife $80,000.00
• Industrial Life medical record issue $62,000.00
• Chase Life lapse of policy issue $50,000.00
• Denied Life Insurance Claim Florida $750,000.00
• American Equity Life health issue $180,000.00
• Triple AAA Life went to ER not in records $40,000.00
• US Financial Life self-inflicted injury won $87,000.00
• Zurich American Life 4 month lapse $30,000.00
• Southern Farm Bureau power of attorney $76,000.00
• Country Financial last minute change $35,000.00
• USAA Life drug exclusion $20,000.00
• Baltimore Life claim rejected by insurance co $66,000.00
• Veterans Group Life interpleader lawsuit $407,000.00
• Fabric Life competing beneficiaries won $50,000.00
• AXA Equitable material misrepresentation $88,000.00
• Stonebridge t Life doctor visit on medical records $12,000.00
• Chubb Life changed by power of attorney $25,000.00
• Guarantee Security COVID-19 denied $392,000.00
• First Capital Life long delay of benefits $41,000.00
• Cigna beneficiary dispute interpleader $322,000.00
• National Western application misrepresentation $103,500.00
• Jacksonville material misrepresentation application $750,000.00
• Globe divorce issue resolved settlement $127,000.00
• Denied FEGLI claim that we obtained fast $290,000.00
• FEGLI case Fort Lauderdale beneficiary $130,000.00
• Port St Lucie foreign death case settled $800,000.00
• Orlando dangerous activity skydiving case $1,040,000.00
• Iowa Farm sickness exclusion that we won $258,000.00
• Clearwater appeal of bad faith denial benefits $609,000.00
• West Palm Beach mistake social security number $203,000.00
• Florida denied life insurance claim $2,500,000.00
• American Heritage illegal drug overdose $215,320.00
• Denied SGLI claim beneficiary dispute $403,721.00
• AAA misstatement of age on app $376,000.00
• Miami denied life insurance claim resolved $5,000,000.00
• AIG accidental death and dismemberment $407,500.00
• Miramar alleged fraud successfully resolved $233,000.00
• Tampa bad faith life insurance claim case $823,000.00
• Pompano Beach agent answered questions $275,000.00
• State Farm autoerotic asphyxiation death $305,800.00
• Nasty divorce settlement court orders $500,000.00
• National Life interpleader dispute settled $311,250.00
• Denied AD&D claim due to skydiving accident $240,000.00
• Cape Coral bad faith life insurance case $840,000.00
• Palm Bay delay asking for medical records $213,000.00
• A suspicious circumstances death $105,000.00
• Boca Raton caregiver versus daughter $707,000.00
• American Heritage death felony exclusion $150,000.00
• SGLI Life beneficiary change to brother $400,000.00
• Palm Beach dispute by ex-wife of policy $3,500,000.00
• Miami Gardens missed question on application $414,000.00
• Hialeah nonpayment of premiums case $230,000.00
• Denied life insurance claim Florida $840,000.00
• AARP lapse of the policy in nursing home $209,000.00
• CIGNA life self-inflicted injury denial $231,900.00
• Gainesville policy less than 2 years old $303,000.00
• Tallahassee ambiguous policy language $472,000.00
• Pioneer Security spouse and ex-spouse $330,000.00
• Citizens foreign death exclusion Russia $245,000.00
• Vero Beach contested the beneficiary $113,000.00
• American Income undue influence caregiver $517,000.00

In Florida, life insurance is a crucial financial tool for ensuring that families are protected after the death of a loved one. The state’s residents depend on the security life insurance policies provide to cover funeral costs, debts, and everyday living expenses. However, many policyholders and beneficiaries in Florida encounter unexpected hurdles when their life insurance claims are denied. Insurance companies like American General, AARP, and MetLife are some of the largest and most trusted providers, but they, along with smaller or lesser-known insurers, are notorious for rejecting claims for various reasons. For Floridians, understanding the reasons behind claim denials and the steps they can take to challenge such decisions is essential to ensure that their families receive the benefits they were promised.

One of the most common reasons for life insurance claim denials in Florida is the misrepresentation or omission of information on the application. Insurers such as Banner, MetLife, and Lincoln Heritage thoroughly investigate applicants’ health histories during the underwriting process. If an applicant fails to disclose relevant information about their medical conditions, lifestyle choices, or even a family history of certain illnesses, life insurance companies like Reliance Standard and Midland National may refuse to pay out claims. Even if the cause of death is unrelated to the non-disclosed condition, these insurers can use the omission as a reason to deny the claim. For example, if a policyholder failed to disclose their history of smoking or a chronic condition like high blood pressure, insurers may argue that the policy was invalid due to the inaccurate application. This can lead to a frustrating situation for beneficiaries who may not have been aware of any discrepancies in the original application.

In Florida, another frequent cause of life insurance claim denials is related to the policy’s exclusions. Life insurance policies, especially those issued by companies like Hartford Life, Jackson Life, and Foresters, often have clauses that exclude certain causes of death. These exclusions could include suicide within the first two years of the policy, deaths resulting from high-risk activities like skydiving or scuba diving, or deaths caused by drug and alcohol use. Many Florida residents are unaware of these exclusions, and when a loved one dies under such circumstances, companies like Lumico and USAA may deny the claim based on these provisions. While these exclusions are generally stated in the fine print of the policy, beneficiaries may not fully understand them until it’s too late. If the insured person dies in a situation covered by an exclusion clause, like a drug overdose or a recreational activity deemed too risky, it can lead to a swift and disheartening denial.

Additionally, many life insurance policies, including those from Symetra, Transamerica, and AAA, contain a contestability period—usually the first two years of the policy’s life. During this time, the insurance company has the right to investigate the cause of death and, if necessary, dispute the claim. While the purpose of this clause is to protect insurers from fraud, it can lead to denials even if the death was unrelated to any misrepresentation. For instance, if the insured person dies within the contestability period and the insurer discovers any discrepancies—such as incorrect information about the insured’s medical history or habits—companies like Ameritas, Globe, and Horace Mann may choose to void the policy. This often leaves beneficiaries in a difficult position as they wait for the insurer to review their claim and provide a final decision. The contestability period can feel like a loophole that some insurers, including smaller companies like Columbian Mutual, Integrity, and Corebridge, use to their advantage in order to avoid paying out claims.

A major concern for Floridians is the potential for policy lapses due to non-payment of premiums. This is particularly problematic when the insured person dies after their policy has lapsed due to missed payments. Life insurance companies such as Mass Mutual, Pekin, and Prosperity may argue that the policy is no longer valid if premiums were not paid up to date, even if the insured person had every intention of maintaining coverage. Many Florida residents may not be aware that their policy has lapsed, especially if they miss a payment or have difficulty keeping track of payments due to personal or financial struggles. If the insured person dies during this lapsed period, insurers like Trustmark, Wells Fargo, and Anthem may outright deny the claim, leaving families without the much-needed financial support. Beneficiaries should always keep track of their premium payments and be aware of any grace periods offered by the insurer to avoid these types of denials.

Sometimes, life insurance claims in Florida are denied due to technicalities and administrative errors. For example, if there is missing paperwork or incorrect information on the claim form, insurers such as CMFG, Dearborn, and First Colony may deny the claim due to an incomplete or inaccurate submission. Even something as simple as a misspelled name, incorrect beneficiary details, or missing signatures can result in a claim denial. This is especially frustrating for families already coping with the grief of losing a loved one. While the errors may be minor, the result is the same: the claim is denied. Even larger, more reputable companies like Humana, Mutual Savings, and State Life are not immune to such issues, and beneficiaries should be diligent in ensuring that all documents are submitted correctly and promptly. Unfortunately, these types of administrative denials can lead to delays and added stress for beneficiaries who may be relying on the life insurance payout to cover immediate expenses.

In Florida, beneficiaries may also face claim denials because of misunderstandings about the policy’s terms and coverage. Life insurance policies, especially those issued by companies like TIAA, Alfa, and National Western, can be complex, with many provisions that are difficult for the average person to fully understand. These policies may have specific conditions about the type of death covered, as well as limitations on the amount of benefits paid out. For instance, some policies may have clauses that reduce the payout amount if the insured person dies from a pre-existing condition or if the death occurred within a certain period after the policy was issued. Insurers such as Assurant, Progressive, and Protective may use these provisions to deny claims or reduce the payout amount, leaving beneficiaries with less financial support than they expected. Many Florida residents may not fully grasp the details of their policy, leading to shock and frustration when they learn their claim has been denied.

In addition to the complexity of life insurance contracts, insurers like Prudential, Sagicor, and Securian may deny claims if they feel that the insured person did not meet the necessary health requirements at the time the policy was issued. For example, if the insured individual failed to meet the insurer’s health criteria or did not disclose certain health issues, the insurer could argue that the policy was issued under false pretenses. This practice is not uncommon among large insurers, and it can create significant challenges for beneficiaries who are left without the benefits they expected. Companies like State Farm, The Hartford, and Unum often take a thorough approach when reviewing claims and may contest payouts if they believe the insured person did not meet the required health standards or provided false information.

For Floridians whose claims have been denied, there are ways to fight back. The Florida Department of Financial Services offers a consumer assistance program that can help policyholders and beneficiaries navigate the process of filing complaints and disputing claim denials. Additionally, working with an attorney who specializes in life insurance law can be an effective strategy to challenge a denial. A lawyer can help gather evidence, assess the policy terms, and file an appeal to the insurance company. Many insurers like Liberty Mutual, Liberty National, and Lincoln Financial have formal appeal processes in place, which can be used to contest the denial and potentially secure the payout that the beneficiary is entitled to.

For more information on insurance regulations and consumer protections in Florida, you can visit the Florida Department of Financial Services or explore nationwide insurance resources through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).