Life Insurance Lawyer Hawaii

"Life Insurance Lawyers Serving Hawaii: The Lassen Law Firm" Dealing with life insurance claims in Hawaii can feel overwhelming, especially when faced with denied benefits or delayed payouts. At The Lassen Law Firm, we’re here to provide trusted legal support to individuals and families across the Aloha State. Whether you’re in Honolulu, Hilo, Kailua, or anywhere else in Hawaii, we are dedicated to helping you recover the benefits you deserve.

With over $750 million in policies recovered, we’ve built a reputation as experienced life insurance attorneys serving clients nationwide, including Hawaii. From bad faith insurance practices to complex claim disputes, The Lassen Law Firm is here to fight for your rights with dedication and expertise.

In Hawaii, life insurance serves as a critical tool for safeguarding the financial future of families and loved ones after an unexpected loss. Whether to cover medical expenses, pay off mortgages, or provide ongoing income for dependents, life insurance policies offer significant peace of mind. However, when a claim is denied, the very security these policies are meant to provide can be shattered, leaving beneficiaries in financial limbo. Life insurance companies like American General, AARP, and MetLife, as well as others such as Reliance Standard, Transamerica, and Prudential, can be involved in claim denials, often citing various reasons. Understanding why claims are denied and how policyholders in Hawaii can avoid these issues is crucial for those looking to ensure their families are protected in times of need.

One common reason life insurance claims are denied in Hawaii is due to the failure of the policyholder to update their information, particularly beneficiary details. When policyholders forget to designate or update beneficiaries on their policies, insurance companies such as Banner, MetLife, and Lincoln Heritage may face difficulty in determining who should receive the death benefit. This can lead to confusion and delays in processing the claim. If there is no clear beneficiary listed, the claim may be denied or delayed until the proper documentation can be provided. This is an issue that can be easily avoided by ensuring that beneficiary information is always current and by keeping a record of changes made to the policy. In Hawaii, policyholders should make it a priority to review their beneficiary designations periodically to ensure that their loved ones will receive the intended payout after their passing.

Another frequent reason for claim denials in Hawaii is the policyholder's failure to fully disclose their health history and lifestyle habits. Life insurance companies like Reliance Standard, Midland National, and Hartford Life rely on detailed information about the applicant's medical conditions, lifestyle, and habits when underwriting a policy. If a policyholder does not disclose relevant health information, such as pre-existing conditions or high-risk activities, the insurer may argue that the policy was issued under false pretenses. This can lead to a denied claim if the death is later linked to an undisclosed health condition or activity. This is especially common during the contestability period, which is typically the first two years of the policy. During this time, insurers such as Jackson Life, Foresters, and Symetra are permitted to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death, and if any misrepresentation is found, the claim may be denied. In Hawaii, it’s essential for policyholders to be transparent during the application process and to fully disclose their health and lifestyle details to avoid complications with their claims later on.

Exclusions based on the cause of death are another significant reason life insurance claims are denied in Hawaii. Most life insurance policies from companies like CMFG, Dearborn, and First Colony include exclusions for certain causes of death. Common exclusions include suicide, particularly if it occurs within the first two years of the policy, and deaths caused by high-risk activities like extreme sports, aviation, or drug use. If the cause of death falls within one of these exclusions, insurers such as Liberty Mutual, Liberty National, and Lincoln Financial may deny the claim outright. These exclusions are typically outlined in the terms of the policy, but many policyholders are unaware of them until it’s too late. For example, if a policyholder dies by suicide within the two-year contestability period or dies as a result of participating in a dangerous hobby, companies like State Farm, The Hartford, and Unum may reject the claim based on these exclusions. Hawaii residents should carefully review the terms of their policies to understand the exclusions and limitations associated with their coverage.

A less common but still notable reason for claim denials in Hawaii is the mismanagement or improper maintenance of the policy by the insurance provider. While most insurers such as Mass Mutual, Pekin, and Prosperity make every effort to process claims accurately, administrative errors or failures can occasionally occur. These errors can range from mistakenly canceling a policy due to non-payment, even if the premium was paid, to incorrectly processing paperwork or failing to update records. When such mistakes happen, the insurer may reject a claim due to a technicality or a clerical error. In these cases, policyholders in Hawaii should carefully review their policy status and keep detailed records of payments and communications with the insurer. If a claim is denied due to a mistake on the insurance company’s part, it is important to contact the company immediately to rectify the situation.

Another reason for denied claims in Hawaii is the presence of pre-existing medical conditions that were not disclosed or that invalidate coverage. Life insurance companies like Aetna, AIG, Allianz, and Allstate may refuse to pay out if the policyholder’s death is linked to a pre-existing medical condition that was not disclosed at the time of application. For example, if an individual has a history of heart disease, diabetes, or cancer, and this was not disclosed to the insurer, the claim may be denied if the death is found to be connected to these conditions. Insurance companies like American Family, American Fidelity, and American Income Life may specifically address this concern in their policies, allowing them to deny a claim if the insured individual’s health history was misrepresented. In Hawaii, it is crucial for individuals to be upfront and honest about their health conditions when applying for life insurance coverage to ensure their beneficiaries aren’t left without the support they were promised.

In some cases, life insurance claims are denied due to policy lapses, meaning that the coverage has been terminated due to missed payments. Life insurance policies from companies like American National, Shelter Life, and Ohio National are only valid as long as premiums are paid on time. If a policyholder misses a payment, even due to temporary financial hardship, their policy may lapse, leaving the insurance company no longer responsible for paying the death benefit. This can be a significant issue in Hawaii, where the cost of living can be high, and some policyholders may find it difficult to keep up with premium payments. If a policyholder passes away while their policy is lapsed, insurers like Liberty Mutual, Liberty National, and Lincoln Financial may reject the claim due to the absence of an active policy at the time of death. To avoid this situation, Hawaii residents should make sure they stay up to date on payments and communicate with their insurer if they experience any financial difficulties that might affect their ability to pay premiums.

For some individuals, there may also be challenges with meeting the specific terms or conditions outlined in the policy. Life insurance policies from providers like Prudential, Sagicor, and Securian often have requirements for how the claim must be filed, such as the submission of specific documents, like the death certificate or proof of identity. If these requirements are not met, the insurer may deny the claim, causing further frustration for the beneficiaries. In Hawaii, policyholders should be diligent in understanding the process and ensuring that all necessary paperwork is submitted in a timely manner to prevent unnecessary delays.

In the unfortunate event that a life insurance claim is denied in Hawaii, beneficiaries have the option to appeal the decision. The first step in the process is to carefully review the reason for the denial, which should be detailed in the letter provided by the insurance company. If the denial was due to an administrative error, it may be possible to correct the issue by submitting the necessary documentation. In cases involving more complex reasons for denial, such as misrepresentation or pre-existing conditions, beneficiaries may need to provide additional evidence or seek legal assistance. Legal professionals who specialize in life insurance disputes can be instrumental in navigating the appeals process and advocating on behalf of the beneficiaries to ensure that they receive the death benefit they are entitled to.

Questions about life insurance claims in Hawaii

What do I do if my life insurance claim in Hawaii was denied?

You need to a top Hawaii life insurance lawyer to represent you.

What do I do If I was served with a life insurance interpleader lawsuit in Hawaii?

You don't want to jeopardize your case, so you'll need a top Hawaii life insurance attorney for representation.

What do I do if I have a life insurance beneficiary dispute in Hawaii?

Our top Hawaii life insurance law firm can represent you with respect to your beneficiary dispute.

Why would an accidental death & dismemberment life insurance claim in Hawaii be denied?

An AD&D life insurance claim is typically denied either because the death was caused by a medical event not an accident, or that there was alcohol involved which is typically an exclusion in the policy.

Can policy lapse be a reason for a denied life insurance claim in Hawaii?

Yes, but the lapse can be contested by our life insurance attorneys.

Is alleged misrepresentation on a life insurance application a reason for a denied life insurance claim in Hawaii?

Yes, but our life law firm can dispute the misrepresentation.

Can an alcohol exclusion be a reason for a denied life insurance claim in Hawaii?

Yes, but there are ways a life insurance lawyer can dispute this.

What do I do about a bad faith ERISA life insurance denial of death benefits in Hawaii?

As you only have one appeal, best to have our lawyers resolve it.

What should I do about a life insurance contestability period claim denial in Hawaii?

You should always get legal representation as any denial can be contested.

What do I do if I get a denial letter for my life insurance claim stating it was denied due to Hawaii state law?

There are many exceptions to denials based on state law.

2025 Hawaii Denied Life Insurance Claims

Metropolitan Life lapse of payment $97,000.00
CMFG Life coronavirus denied payment $30,000.00
Banner Life sickness exclusion we won $105,000.00
Denied SGLI claim beneficiaries $403,127.00
Accidental Death & Dismemberment $890,000.00
Navy Life girlfriend versus ex-spouse $406,430.00
Woodmen Life prescription drug denial $65,000.00
Accordia Life lapse of policy we won $50,000.00
Lafayette Life felony exclusion resolved $25,000.00
Symetra long delay of payment resolved $77,000.00
AD&D denied life insurance claim won $740,000.00
AIG autoerotic asphyxiation denied claim $508,700.00
Forethought Life alcohol exclusion $159,000.00
CNO Financial coronavirus exclusion $51,000.00
Globe alcohol exclusion drunk driving $113,250.00
Confederation Life denial of benefits $77,000.00
Guarantee Security Life delay of claim $40,000.00
Maui mistake as to age on application $526,000.00
ERISA appeal of the life benefits won $104,000.00
Denied FEGLI claim resolved in 5 days $179,000.00
SGLI beneficiary dispute wife and ex-wife $400,000.00
Prudential irrevocable beneficiary dispute $364,000.00
AIG AD&D denial not accidental $512,430.00
Principal material misrepresentation $105,312.00
Denied SGLI claim dispute $402840.00
Hawaii denied life insurance claim $1,300,000.00
Oahu agent filled out the application $465,000.00
Fidelity 2 year contestability period $138,000.00
Denied AD&D claim shooting $730,900.00
Colonial suicide clause exclusion $282,000.00
VGLI appeal successfully resolved $400,000.00
Gerber beneficiary dispute interpleader $370,000.00
Denied life insurance claim Hawaii $518,400.00
Honolulu dispute among beneficiaries $1,020,000.00
Metlife accidental death benefit exclusions $430,000.00
SGLI dispute who is beneficiary $400,000.00
Bankers drug overdose denial $212,900.00