Life Insurance Lawyer Massachusetts

"Life Insurance Lawyers Serving Massachusetts: The Lassen Law Firm" Life insurance claims in Massachusetts can be overwhelming, particularly when dealing with denied benefits or bad faith insurance practices. At The Lassen Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping individuals and families across the Bay State recover the payouts they rightfully deserve. Whether you’re in Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Cambridge, or any other part of Massachusetts, we’re here to provide trusted legal representation.

With a nationwide reach, including Massachusetts, our experienced life insurance attorneys have recovered over $750 million in policies for our clients. At The Lassen Law Firm, we combine legal expertise with unwavering dedication to deliver justice for every client we serve.

In Massachusetts, life insurance is intended to be a crucial safety net for families when the unthinkable happens. However, many residents may find themselves in the unfortunate situation of having their life insurance claims denied. While most people are aware of standard denial reasons such as missed premium payments or undisclosed health conditions, there are several less obvious factors that can cause a claim to be rejected. Companies like MassMutual, Banner Life, and New York Life may deny claims based on clauses in the policy that are often overlooked, including disputes over beneficiary designations, the insured’s occupation, or lifestyle. The consequences of such denials can be devastating, and understanding the nuances of life insurance policies is essential for ensuring that loved ones are properly protected.

One reason for denial that is not always well-known is the “delayed notification” clause. Many life insurance policies require that the insurer be notified within a specific time frame after the policyholder’s death. Companies like AIG, Prudential, and Hartford Life may deny a claim if they determine that the beneficiaries waited too long to file the claim, even if the delay was only a matter of weeks or months. This can occur if there’s any indication that the beneficiary failed to follow the proper procedures or failed to report the death in a timely manner. Though the delays might seem minor, insurers can use them as a reason to question the legitimacy of the claim. In such cases, even if the death is clearly covered by the policy, the insurer may argue that the claim should be void due to a breach of the terms regarding prompt notification.

Another, less common reason for claim denial in Massachusetts involves issues around the “continuation of coverage” after a policyholder’s employment ends. Many individuals in Massachusetts receive life insurance through their employer, but when their job status changes, their insurance policy might not follow them. Insurers such as Transamerica, Securian, and Lincoln Heritage may deny claims if they find that the insured continued to rely on their employer-sponsored life insurance without realizing that their coverage lapsed after they left their job. This can lead to an unpleasant surprise for beneficiaries, especially if the policyholder did not proactively convert their group policy into an individual one. The life insurance policy may have expired without the insured realizing it, leaving their family without the benefit they were counting on.

Some insurers may also deny claims for what they consider "poor underwriting practices" on the part of the policyholder. This can happen when the insured person fails to disclose certain lifestyle factors, such as engaging in risky hobbies or traveling frequently to unstable regions, which were relevant at the time of underwriting but not shared with the insurer. For instance, if a policyholder with a policy from a company like Globe Life, Foresters, or Reliastar was a regular participant in activities like hang gliding or went on frequent trips to areas with high levels of civil unrest, and they did not disclose these facts during the application process, the insurer might consider the policy to be void. While this may seem minor to the insured, these activities can significantly increase the risk of death, leading to policyholders’ families being left without the intended financial safety net.

The "mental health history" exclusion is another less common but important reason for claim denial. Life insurance policies from companies like Symetra, MetLife, and AIG can include clauses that deny coverage if it is found that the insured had a history of mental health disorders that were not properly disclosed during the application process. This is particularly concerning in cases where an individual’s death might be related to a mental health crisis, including suicide or an accident stemming from poor judgment linked to depression or bipolar disorder. Even if the insured was receiving treatment for mental health issues, the insurer may argue that full disclosure of those issues was required for the policy to be valid. If a claim is denied for this reason, beneficiaries may be left struggling to understand why, especially if the insured was otherwise healthy and had no previous history of life-threatening conditions.

One of the more unexpected causes for claim denial in Massachusetts is the “fraudulent beneficiary” situation. While many are familiar with the process of naming beneficiaries, not all understand the strict rules surrounding this process. Insurers like American General, Securian, and State Farm have specific protocols for ensuring that the listed beneficiaries are legitimate and that the designation was made in good faith. If an insurer finds that the beneficiary named on the policy was involved in fraud or had questionable intentions—such as a beneficiary who was not financially dependent on the insured or one who may have manipulated the insured into changing the beneficiary designation—the insurer may dispute the claim. Fraudulent beneficiary issues may also arise if someone improperly influenced the policyholder’s decision or coerced them into naming them as the beneficiary. In cases like these, the insurer may file an interpleader lawsuit to determine who the rightful beneficiary is, especially if there are conflicting claims from multiple parties.

Beneficiary disputes are a particularly tricky issue in Massachusetts. Sometimes, beneficiaries will contest the life insurance claim, claiming that they were the intended recipient, even if they were not listed on the policy. Such disputes are more common when the insured person fails to update their beneficiary designations after significant life events like divorce, remarriage, or the birth of children. A policyholder may have intended to leave the benefit to one party but forgot to update the official records, leading to a dispute over the rightful claimant. In these situations, life insurance companies such as MetLife, Prudential, and Banner Life may file a life insurance interpleader lawsuit, which involves the insurer filing a court action to determine the proper recipient of the death benefit. These lawsuits are a way for the insurer to protect itself from liability by leaving the decision to the court, but they can also significantly delay the payout of the claim.

Interpleader lawsuits are typically time-consuming, involving a lengthy legal process that can leave beneficiaries in a state of financial uncertainty. The court must review the details of the dispute and make a ruling on who is entitled to the death benefit. During this time, the insurance company holds the life insurance proceeds in escrow, meaning that neither claimant receives the money until the case is resolved. This can lead to months or even years of delay, placing an unnecessary financial burden on the claimants, who may already be struggling with the loss of their loved one. It’s important for Massachusetts residents to understand that these lawsuits are sometimes unavoidable, especially in complex cases involving contested beneficiary designations.

Sometimes, claims may be denied based on the interpretation of the policy’s exclusions. While the exclusions for death caused by activities like suicide or criminal acts are often well-known, life insurance policies also frequently contain exclusions for causes of death that may seem more ambiguous to the policyholder. Insurers like American General, AIG, and Reliastar could deny claims if the insured’s death was linked to a reason that falls under an exclusion clause, such as involvement in dangerous travel (e.g., war zones, natural disasters), certain health conditions, or even experimental medical procedures. While these clauses may be included to protect the insurer from extraordinary risks, they can create confusion when the cause of death falls into a grey area. For example, a policyholder who passed away in a foreign country due to an accident during a vacation may have their claim denied if the insurer deems the location to be a high-risk area due to political instability or natural disasters, even though the policyholder had no way of knowing that their trip would be dangerous at the time of booking.

Finally, the most unfortunate and confusing scenario occurs when the insured dies in an event that is not directly covered by the policy, but the beneficiaries are unaware of the fine print exclusions in the policy. Even in situations that seem straightforward, such as a car accident or sudden illness, some life insurance policies—issued by companies like Nationwide, New York Life, and Lincoln Heritage—may exclude certain causes of death that aren’t immediately apparent to the policyholder. For example, a policy might exclude coverage for deaths related to natural disasters, certain pre-existing conditions, or even deaths that occur while the insured is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. When these exclusions are not clear, it can lead to frustrations for the beneficiaries who expected the policy to provide a payout but are instead met with a denial due to technicalities that were buried in the fine print of the agreement.

Questions about life insurance claims in Massachusetts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 Massachusetts?

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

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

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 Massachusetts?

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 Massachusetts?

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 Massachusetts state law?

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

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

These Massachusetts life insurance companies deny many claims: Fisher Insurance in Milford, American Income Life in Foxboro, and Colonial Life in Marlborough.

2025 Massachusetts Denied Life Insurance Claims

USAA COVID-19 denial case resolved $109,800.00
Mass Shooting denied life insurance claim $303,000.00
Country Financial Life coronavirus $50,000.00
AD&D claim due to heart attack $102,000.00
Chubb interpleader lawsuit won spouse vs ex-spouse $230,000.00
Massachusetts interpleader lawsuit $750,000.00
Great-West competing beneficiaries $57,000.00
Kemper Life prescription drugs in system $74,000.00
iA Financial felony exclusion crime $33,000.00
Massachusetts denied life insurance claim $1,350,000.00
Boston Mutual lapse in payment $204,000.00

American Income interpleader dispute beneficiaries $759,300.00
First Capital Life COVID-19 exclusion that we just won $339,000.00
Boston Mutual material misrepresentation medical $211,550.00
Denial of claim due to coronavirus not known illness $280,000.00
Denial of SGLI claim due to dispute ex-wife $408,540.00
Anthem prescription drug opioid denial case $147,000.00
Massachusetts denied life insurance claim $2,500,000.00
Globe Divorce dispute ex-spouse and spouse $114,000.00
Denial of FEGLI claim three exclusions resolved $274,000.00
Mass Mutual while in nursing home lapse $302,000.00
Prudential denial felony exclusion won $519,000.00
AIG accidental death & dismemberment $535,400.00
Denied AD&D claim exclusion avoiding court $820,000.00
Mutual Security denial of life benefits to client $530,000.00
Lincoln National alcohol level denial $112,150.00
SGLI change of beneficiary dispute $400,000.00
Kentucky Central Life felony exclusion won $507,300.00
Guarantee Security competing beneficiaries $298,320.00
Denied life insurance claim Massachusetts $1,038,999.00
Villanova Life denied claim due to exclusions $389,400.00
Massachusetts divorce and life insurance $635,000.00
Colonial autoerotic asphyxiation claim $106,500.00
Fidelity Security missed one payment $202,000.00
American General beneficiary dispute $507,900.00