Life Insurance Lawyer Kentucky

"Life Insurance Lawyers Serving Kentucky: The Lassen Law Firm" Navigating life insurance claims in Kentucky can be a challenging process, particularly when dealing with denied benefits or bad faith practices. At The Lassen Law Firm, we’re here to support residents across the Bluegrass State, from Louisville to Lexington, Bowling Green to Covington, and every community in between.

As experienced life insurance attorneys handling cases nationwide, including Kentucky, we’ve recovered over $750 million in policies for our clients. Our commitment to justice, personalized attention, and exceptional results make The Lassen Law Firm the trusted choice for individuals and families throughout Kentucky.

In Kentucky, life insurance is a fundamental way for individuals to ensure their families are financially protected in the event of their death. However, while most people expect their life insurance policy to provide support during a difficult time, some find themselves facing the frustration of a denied claim. While common reasons for denials include missed payments or lapses in coverage, there are several other, less frequent reasons that can lead to a life insurance claim being rejected. Companies like Prudential, Lincoln Financial, and Transamerica are some of the many insurers that may deny a claim for reasons that are not always immediately obvious. Understanding these less conventional reasons for denial can be essential for Kentucky residents to ensure that they don’t face unexpected issues when they need their coverage the most.

One such reason for a denied life insurance claim in Kentucky involves the “intervening cause” of death. While many people are familiar with the idea that a policyholder’s death must fall under the terms of the policy to be eligible for a payout, what isn’t as widely understood is how life insurance companies like American National, Securian, and Banner interpret the circumstances surrounding the cause of death. If the insured individual dies due to an event that is indirectly related to their medical history or a previous accident, the insurance company may consider the event an "intervening cause," which can lead to the denial of a claim. For example, if someone dies of complications following a long recovery from surgery or an injury, insurers may argue that the original event or condition was the primary cause of death, not the actual fatal incident. This can make it difficult for beneficiaries to claim benefits when there is a complicated chain of medical events leading to death, even if the death appears to be unrelated to the insured’s original condition.

In a similar vein, insurers like AIG, MassMutual, and Globe Life may deny claims due to a policyholder’s failure to fully disclose their complete medical history, particularly with regard to past surgeries or treatments. Even if the death was not directly related to a pre-existing condition, failure to disclose important medical procedures or treatments during the application process can result in the policy being voided. In some cases, a life insurance company might argue that the omission of these details affected the risk assessment and underwriting of the policy, meaning the company may not be willing to honor the claim. This kind of denial can occur even years after the policy has been active, and beneficiaries may not initially realize that an omission could lead to the rejection of a claim. Kentucky residents should take great care to ensure that they fully disclose their medical history, including any surgeries, illnesses, or ongoing treatments when applying for life insurance, to avoid complications down the line.

Another rare reason for life insurance claim denial involves what is known as "material misrepresentation" on the part of the policyholder during the application process. While it’s well-known that providing false information on a life insurance application can lead to a claim denial, there are cases in Kentucky where life insurance providers such as Reliastar, Symetra, and Foresters may deny claims even if the misrepresentation was not intentional. For instance, if the policyholder answered a health question incorrectly or misunderstood the wording of a question—say, regarding family history of heart disease or cancer—the insurer may argue that this oversight constitutes a material misrepresentation, which could result in the rejection of a claim. In some situations, an insurer may decide that this misrepresentation altered the risk assessment, regardless of the fact that it was unintentional. This is a tricky issue for Kentucky residents because it can sometimes involve subjective judgment, and it’s not always clear whether an honest mistake will result in a denial or cause delays.

A less obvious reason for claim denial in Kentucky relates to the insured's financial obligations and debts at the time of death. Life insurance companies such as New York Life, The Hartford, and American General sometimes conduct investigations into the financial history of the policyholder after their death, especially if there is a concern about fraudulent activity or intentional underreporting of debts. If the insured had significant financial issues at the time of death or had concealed large debts from the insurance company during the application process, the insurer might refuse to pay out the claim, arguing that the insured's financial troubles influenced their decision-making or led them to misrepresent their circumstances. In some cases, this could be tied to the “insurable interest” principle, where the insurer may believe that the policyholder’s situation was intentionally kept vague or hidden in order to secure a large payout for their beneficiaries. This type of denial is rare, but it can be a serious issue for beneficiaries who may have had no knowledge of the deceased's financial situation. It's important for Kentuckians to be transparent about their financial condition when applying for life insurance and to make sure they’re not unintentionally putting their families at risk by hiding debts or other financial burdens.

Another less common denial reason involves the insured’s actions in the months leading up to their death, especially if they were involved in activities deemed to be “high-risk” by the insurer. Life insurance companies like MetLife, USAA, and Transamerica often include exclusions in their policies for deaths caused by extreme activities, including things like dangerous hobbies or participation in violent protests or conflicts. However, the line between what is considered risky and what is seen as an acceptable activity can be thin. For example, if a policyholder were killed during a road race, or while traveling to a region known for its civil unrest, an insurer may argue that the policyholder knowingly put themselves at significant risk of death and may choose to deny the claim. Even if the insured did not intend for their actions to lead to their death, some insurers may see the decision to engage in risky activities as grounds to invalidate the life insurance policy. This issue can be particularly difficult for the surviving family members, who may have no idea that their loved one’s actions would be considered high-risk by the insurance company. For those in Kentucky who participate in such activities, it’s crucial to understand the terms of their policy and whether there are any exclusions related to specific dangerous activities.

In Kentucky, life insurance claims may also be denied due to issues surrounding the policyholder's residence or travel. While it's uncommon, insurers such as Securian, Reliance Standard, and State Farm may deny claims if the insured spent an extended period living in or traveling to areas considered hazardous by the insurer. This could include regions affected by natural disasters, political instability, or war zones. If a policyholder died while residing in a high-risk location or after traveling to one of these areas, the insurer may invoke an exclusion clause related to the location of death, claiming that the risk of death was higher due to the circumstances of where the insured was living or traveling. Even for travelers or residents who don’t directly face violence or other life-threatening conditions, insurers may still argue that the risk was higher than it would have been in a stable environment. Kentucky residents should always ensure that their life insurance policies clearly cover their travel and living arrangements, especially if they plan to relocate to or visit regions that might be considered dangerous by their provider.

A rare but possible cause of denial is related to the manner in which the insured passes away, especially if it involves a self-inflicted injury or suicide. While most life insurance policies, including those from companies like Globe Life, AIG, and MetLife, will pay out for deaths caused by suicide after a certain period—usually after two years—there are certain situations where the claim may be contested, even if the time period has passed. This could happen if the policyholder's death occurred shortly after the insurer had reason to believe that the insured was struggling with mental health issues, even if these issues were not disclosed on the application. Some insurers may argue that the death was a direct result of pre-existing conditions, and that had they known about the mental health struggles earlier, the policy would have been underwritten differently. Kentucky residents should carefully consider their mental health history and ensure that all relevant medical information is disclosed when applying for life insurance, particularly if they have ever been treated for depression, anxiety, or other psychiatric conditions.

Questions about life insurance claims in Kentucky

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why would an accidental death & dismemberment life insurance claim in Kentucky 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 Kentucky?

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 Kentucky?

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

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

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 Kentucky?

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 Kentucky?

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 Kentucky state law?

There are many exceptions to denials based on Kentucky state law.

What are the worst life insurance companies in Kentucky for paying claims?

These Kentucky life insurance companies deny many claims: Kentucky Home Life Insurance in Louisville and Kentucky Farm Bureau in Louisville.

2025 Kentucky Denied Life Insurance Claims

National Benefit Life coronavirus denial $309,000.00
Anthem Life sickness exclusion resolved $12,000.00
Provident Life self-inflicted injury won $500,200.00
Denial SGLI change of beneficiary $407,259.00
Accidental Death & Dismemberment $570,000.00
Columbian Life COVID-19 denial case $93,000.00
Gleaner Life denial two exclusions $58,000.00
Principal Life heroin exclusion case $284,000.00
Lincoln Financial lapse of policy $135,000.00
VGLI wife versus ex-wife dispute $401,300.00
North American Life fentanyl denial $202,000.00
Phoenix Life long lapse not deducted $31,000.00
Zander denied life insurance claim $45,000.00
Woodmen Life health history dispute $20,000.00
AIG interpleader claim resolved $66,000.00
USAA Life accidental suicide won $85,000.00
Navy Federal beneficiaries disputed $405,200.00
American Family extremely long delay $104,000.00
Crump Life misrepresentation application $50,000.00
Delaware Life heart attack vs fall death $37,000.00
No exam life claim payment not deducted $67,000.00
American Fidelity opioid denial exclusion $109,000.00
Fabric Life smoking not disclosed on app $55,000.00
Bestow Life alcohol in blood with high BAC $80,000.00

American General exclusion for alcohol $314,800.00
SGLI dispute between beneficiaries $400,000.00
Metlife material misrepresentation application $462,000.00
Denied SGLI claim resolved after a couple weeks $402,500.00
FEGLI appeal successfully won in one week $135,000.00
Primerica nonpayment of premium alleged $217,000.00
Owensboro contestable period medical $536,000.00
Gerber felony exclusion commission crime $118,250.00
Denied FEGLI claim resolved after a week $401,600.00
Lexington dangerous activity exclusion $560,000.00
Kentucky denied life insurance claim $1,425,000.00
SGLI dispute among the beneficiaries $400,000.00
Reliable two year delay medical records $142,000.00
USAA long lapse of the policy settled $207,000.00
Denied AD&D claim exclusion denial $405,400.00
Columbian autoerotic asphyxiation death $113,000.00
Hopkinsville ambiguous language won $951,000.00
Denied Accidental Death & Dismemberment $920,000.00
State Farm interpleader case sisters $300,000.00
Bowling Green ERISA appeal life insurance $129,000.00
Southern Farm Bureau dispute resolved $501,200.00
Denied life insurance claim Kentucky $913,500.00
Globe misrepresentation reinstatement $101,300.00
Great-West Life denied claim we just won $243,000.00
VGLI appeal won in less than two weeks $400,000.00
Louisville interpleader lawsuit won successfully $750,000.00
CNO Financial Life coronavirus exclusion $200,100.00
Kentucky bad life insurance claim $840,000.00
American Income accidental death AD&D $458,000.00