Life Insurance Lawyer Michigan

"Life Insurance Lawyers Serving Michigan: The Lassen Law Firm" Dealing with life insurance claims in Michigan can be challenging, especially when faced with denied benefits or bad faith insurance practices. At The Lassen Law Firm, we proudly assist individuals and families across the Great Lakes State in recovering the payouts they deserve. Whether you’re in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Lansing, or any other community in Michigan, we bring trusted legal expertise and personalized support to every case.

With a nationwide presence, including Michigan, our experienced life insurance attorneys have recovered over $750 million in policies for our clients. The Lassen Law Firm combines dedication, legal expertise, and relentless advocacy to ensure justice for every client we serve.

In Michigan, the importance of life insurance cannot be overstated, as it provides much-needed financial support for loved ones in the event of an untimely death. However, some policyholders and their beneficiaries face unexpected hurdles when trying to collect life insurance benefits. While most people are familiar with common reasons for claim denials, such as missed premium payments or suicide exclusions, there are more obscure reasons that can lead to the rejection of claims. Life insurance companies such as Transamerica, MetLife, and AIG may decline claims based on clauses that beneficiaries may not be fully aware of when the policy was purchased. Some of these lesser-known reasons for denial are particularly relevant to Michigan residents, and understanding these nuances can help prevent unnecessary delays or confusion during an already difficult time.

One of the lesser-discussed causes for denial is the "misstatement of age" clause. When a policyholder applies for life insurance, they are asked to provide their date of birth, which directly affects their premiums. If the insurance company later discovers that the insured misstated their age—whether intentionally or by accident—it can result in a claim denial or reduced payout. Companies like Nationwide, Lincoln Heritage, and Reliastar have been known to invoke this clause when discrepancies between the stated age and the actual age of the insured are discovered. If the insurer finds that the insured was older than initially stated, they may adjust the payout according to what the premiums would have been had the correct age been disclosed. In some extreme cases, the insurer may even deny the claim altogether, arguing that the misstatement invalidates the entire policy.

Another potential reason for denial, which many Michigan residents may not be aware of, is the “substance use” exclusion. Although some life insurance policies—especially those issued by companies like Securian, AIG, and Foresters—cover accidental deaths, they may contain a clause that excludes coverage for deaths caused by the use of illegal drugs or the misuse of prescription medication. If a policyholder dies in an accident while under the influence, the insurer may decline to pay out the death benefit, even if the death is unrelated to the substance use itself. This becomes especially relevant in situations where the insured’s death seems like a standard accident but turns out to be influenced by an undisclosed substance use issue. If the policyholder had been using recreational drugs or alcohol, the insurer might argue that the cause of death should be excluded under the terms of the policy.

A particularly distressing reason for denial occurs when a policyholder's death results from an activity that was not disclosed during the underwriting process. Many life insurance policies, particularly from companies like Prudential, MetLife, and Lincoln National, ask applicants to disclose any dangerous activities, such as skydiving, rock climbing, or other high-risk hobbies. If the policyholder fails to disclose that they regularly engage in these activities, and they pass away as a result of one of them, the insurer could deny the claim. In many cases, beneficiaries may not know about the insured’s participation in these activities or may assume they are covered under the policy. However, if the insurer finds that the death occurred due to an undisclosed high-risk activity, they may use that as grounds for rejection.

In addition to undisclosed risky activities, life insurance companies like American General and Symetra may deny claims for causes linked to travel to certain high-risk countries. Many life insurance policies include exclusions for deaths that occur while traveling to regions with political instability, civil unrest, or ongoing war. These exclusions are often buried in the fine print of the contract, and policyholders may not realize that their death could be excluded from coverage if it occurs in one of these high-risk areas. For example, if a policyholder passes away while visiting a country with ongoing political turmoil, the insurer may argue that the policy excludes coverage for deaths resulting from these circumstances. Even though the insured had no intention of traveling to a dangerous region, the company may argue that their decision to travel made the death ineligible for coverage.

Another issue that is often overlooked involves the insurance company's stance on "non-participating beneficiaries." This clause refers to beneficiaries who may be involved in criminal activities, or in some cases, who have been previously estranged from the policyholder. If the insurer has concerns about the relationship between the insured and the named beneficiary, or if they have reason to believe that the beneficiary was involved in fraud or undue influence when the policyholder named them, they may decline to pay out the claim. Life insurance companies such as Prudential, Transamerica, and Banner Life have been known to scrutinize the background of beneficiaries, especially when there is any suspicion of wrongdoing. In some cases, insurers will request that a court decide who the rightful beneficiary is, and these disputes can lead to costly and lengthy legal battles, further complicating the process.

Beneficiary disputes are particularly tricky when multiple parties come forward to claim the death benefit. Michigan’s courts frequently deal with cases where family members or other individuals claim that they should be the rightful beneficiary of the policy. This is especially common when the deceased policyholder failed to update their beneficiary designation after major life events such as divorce, remarriage, or the birth of new children. When a life insurance company like American National or Banner Life is faced with conflicting claims, they may file a life insurance interpleader lawsuit. This lawsuit allows the insurer to bring the dispute to court to determine who should receive the payout. While this may sound like a straightforward legal issue, it can often drag on for months or even years, leaving the beneficiaries in limbo and with no access to the funds they desperately need. Interpleader lawsuits are costly and time-consuming, making it crucial for Michigan residents to regularly update their beneficiary designations and ensure that their intentions are clear and legally binding.

Life insurance interpleader lawsuits are a significant hurdle in cases where there is a legitimate dispute between beneficiaries. In Michigan, these lawsuits can occur when one party contests the validity of the beneficiary designation. For example, if a spouse is named as the primary beneficiary, but the deceased's children from a previous marriage contest the beneficiary’s right to the policy proceeds, the insurance company may be forced to file an interpleader lawsuit to avoid potential legal repercussions. Insurers like Lincoln Heritage, American Memorial, and Nationwide may prefer to avoid deciding between competing claims, opting instead to allow the court to handle the matter. This allows them to protect themselves from the potential legal ramifications of making a wrong decision. While this might protect the insurer, it can leave the beneficiaries waiting for months, or even years, for a resolution.

Questions about life insurance claims in Michigan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 Michigan?

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

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

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 Michigan?

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 Michigan?

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 Michigan state law?

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

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

These Michigan life insurance companies deny many claims: Jackson National Life in Lansing, and Northwestern Mutual.

2025 Michigan Denied Life Insurance Claims

Globe Life coronavirus exclusion $102,200.00
Mass shooting death denied life claim $115,000.00
Progressive life COVID-19 denial $204,000.00
SGLI claim beneficiary dispute $408,750.00
AD&D claim denied prescriptions $560,000.00
Unum felony exclusion shooting $105,000.00
GPM Life sickness exclusion paid $40,000.00
CUNA Mutual Life delay benefits $25,000.00
Occidental Life alcohol exclusion $68,000.00
Shooting death felony exclusion won $122,000.00
AFBA life very long delay paid finally $50,000.00
TruStage material misrepresentation $90,000.00
Confederation Life intoxication exclusion $118,000.00
Mid Continental chronic illness exclusion $43,000.00

Mass Mutual interpleader lawsuit settled $314,000.00
Coronavirus denial because not known $021,500.00
Allstate alcohol exclusion issue resolved $103,820.00
Denial of SGLI claim due to beneficiaries $404,200.00
Prudential material misrepresentation health $536,000.00
Colonial autoerotic asphyxiation death claim $318,000.00
Michigan denied life insurance claim $1,523,000.00
COVID-19 reason for denying life insurance $259,400.00
Denial FEGLI claim due to exclusions $431,000.00
American General spouse against sister $758,400.00
AIG issue regarding policy lapse $101,900.00
Lincoln Heritage three policy exclusions $227,000.00
Veterans Life denial of benefits wife won $529,900.00
MetLife accidental death & dismemberment $406,300.00
AD&D claim denied due to exclusions we won $833,900.00
American Amicable exclusion for suicide $118,000.00
Prudential dementia not disclosed on application $251,000.00
Sed Mutual Life denial of life benefits we resolved $480,000.00
Denied life insurance claim Michigan $914,500.00
Michigan life insurance and divorce case $379,000.00
Monarch Life denial of claim we won for client $775,000.00
General prescription drug interaction $208,000.00
Western Reserve sickness exclusion $105,100.00