Life Insurance Lawyer Minnesota

"Life Insurance Lawyers Serving Minnesota: The Lassen Law Firm" Navigating life insurance claims in Minnesota can be complex, particularly when dealing with denied benefits or bad faith insurance practices. At The Lassen Law Firm, we are committed to supporting individuals and families across the North Star State in securing the payouts they deserve. From Minneapolis to St. Paul, Duluth to Rochester, and every other part of Minnesota, we provide experienced legal representation to fight for your rights.

As life insurance attorneys handling cases nationwide, including Minnesota, we have recovered over $750 million in policies for our clients. The Lassen Law Firm combines personalized attention, legal expertise, and unwavering dedication to deliver justice for those we serve.

In Minnesota, the importance of life insurance cannot be understated, as it offers vital financial protection for families in the event of an untimely death. Unfortunately, life insurance claims are sometimes denied for reasons that go beyond the usual missed premiums or exclusions related to suicide within a set period. While these are widely recognized, some denials are based on more obscure clauses and conditions in the policy that may not be immediately obvious to policyholders or their beneficiaries. In cases involving life insurance companies such as Banner Life, Transamerica, and Lincoln Heritage, certain policyholders in Minnesota may find themselves facing claim rejections due to reasons they were unaware of at the time of purchasing their policy. Some of these uncommon denial causes can make it difficult for beneficiaries to access the death benefits that are rightfully owed to them.

One of the less commonly discussed reasons for life insurance claim denials involves "lapsed policies." While most individuals understand that missed premium payments can result in a policy lapse, what many fail to recognize is that some policies contain automatic premium loan (APL) provisions. These provisions, offered by companies like Prudential, Foresters, and Mass Mutual, allow for the use of the policy’s cash value to pay overdue premiums. However, if the cash value is insufficient to cover these premiums, the policy may lapse without the policyholder’s knowledge, especially if they have not been keeping track of the policy’s performance. In the unfortunate event of the policyholder’s death, the insurer may deny the claim on the grounds that the policy was no longer in force at the time of death. This can lead to heartache for beneficiaries who believed their loved one was still covered by the policy.

Another significant but often overlooked reason for claim denial is related to “pre-existing conditions.” While many life insurance policies, particularly those from companies like AIG, MetLife, and Securian, will cover a policyholder’s death regardless of health status, certain policies may include clauses that exclude coverage for deaths caused by a condition that the insured was diagnosed with prior to purchasing the policy. If the policyholder had a known condition, such as a heart disease, cancer, or diabetes, and failed to disclose this during the application process, the insurance company could deny the claim if the death was related to the pre-existing condition. Although this is an issue that affects relatively few policyholders, those who fall into this category may face a lengthy battle to recover the benefits their loved one’s policy was supposed to provide.

In Minnesota, one of the more obscure reasons life insurance claims can be denied is due to “high-risk occupations.” Many life insurance companies, including those like Lincoln National, Transamerica, and Reliastar, will charge higher premiums for individuals employed in high-risk jobs such as construction, mining, or firefighting. However, if the insured fails to disclose their occupation accurately, the insurance company may use this omission as grounds to deny a claim. In some cases, even if the death was unrelated to the policyholder’s occupation, the insurer may argue that the death was influenced by the risk associated with the job, leading to a denial of benefits. The challenge for Minnesota beneficiaries is that the policyholder’s job may not seem particularly dangerous, but insurers will rely on the details disclosed during the application to determine whether coverage applies.

Another potential issue is the non-disclosure of risky activities or hobbies. Insurers such as Nationwide, Reliance Standard, and Symetra often ask about the insured’s participation in activities like scuba diving, skydiving, or mountaineering, and failing to disclose this information could lead to claim denial if death occurs during one of these activities. While it may seem like a small omission, the insurer may classify these activities as “hazardous,” and if a policyholder dies while engaging in one, their death could be excluded from coverage. This becomes an issue when the policyholder participates in such activities without informing the insurer. Beneficiaries may not understand that their loved one’s death was caused by an excluded event and may be blindsided when the claim is denied.

In some cases, a claim can be denied because the insured had been engaging in activities deemed illegal at the time of their death. For example, if the insured was involved in a criminal act, such as committing a felony, when they died, their claim might be rejected. Policies from companies like Aetna, Allstate, and American General could contain exclusions for deaths that occur as a result of criminal activity. This includes deaths that happen while committing a crime or in the course of an illegal act. The insurer may invoke this clause if it finds evidence that the death was linked to such behavior, even if the crime was unrelated to the cause of death.

In addition to these lesser-known reasons for denial, beneficiary disputes are also an issue that can delay or prevent a life insurance claim from being paid out. In Minnesota, family members may contest the designated beneficiary on a policy, particularly if the policyholder failed to update their beneficiary after a life change, such as a divorce or remarriage. In such cases, there could be multiple claimants, each arguing that they should receive the death benefit. Life insurance companies like Globe Life, New York Life, and Principal might find themselves caught in the middle of these disputes, which can lead to lengthy delays in the distribution of benefits. These disputes often arise when the policyholder’s wishes are unclear or if they failed to communicate their intent to family members or the insurance company.

When multiple parties are claiming to be the rightful beneficiary, insurers may choose to file a life insurance interpleader lawsuit. This legal procedure is designed to allow the insurance company to seek a court’s decision on who the legitimate beneficiary is, as companies like Mass Mutual, Symetra, and AIG are not in a position to make this determination themselves. Interpleader lawsuits can drag on for months or even years, and during this time, the beneficiaries may be left without the death benefit that they are entitled to. While the insurer is merely protecting itself from legal liability, the process can cause significant financial hardship for those who need the life insurance funds immediately.

What makes interpleader lawsuits particularly difficult is that the beneficiary disputes often center around highly emotional family dynamics. In some cases, beneficiaries may not realize that they were removed from the policy or that the deceased had changed their mind about who should receive the benefits. In other situations, beneficiaries may not agree on how the funds should be distributed, leading to further complications. These disputes are particularly common when a policyholder has children from a previous marriage or other relatives who believe they should be the primary beneficiary.

Ultimately, understanding the terms and conditions of a life insurance policy is essential in Minnesota to avoid the surprises that can come with a denied claim. Insurance companies like Transamerica, MetLife, and Reliastar have very specific clauses and exclusions that could impact the outcome of a claim, especially if they are not clearly communicated to the policyholder or their beneficiaries. When complications arise, whether due to a risky occupation, a pre-existing medical condition, or a beneficiary dispute, Minnesota residents should consult with an attorney who specializes in life insurance claims to ensure that their interests are protected and that they have the best chance of securing the benefits they deserve. By being proactive and informed, beneficiaries can reduce the chances of facing an unjust denial and make sure the insurance company follows through on its obligations.

Questions about life insurance claims in Minnesota

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 Minnesota?

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

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

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 Minnesota?

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 Minnesota?

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 Minnesota state law?

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

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

These Minnesota life insurance companies deny many claims: Minnesota Life Insurance Company (Securian Financial) in St Paul, Allianz Life Insurance in Minneapolis, and Thrivent in Minneapolis.

2025 Minnesota Denied Life Insurance Claims

Family Heritage life COVID-19 exclusion $44,000.00
Iowa Farm Life coronavirus denial won $98,000.00
Catholic Life lapse of policy nonpayment $50,000.00
SGLI claim change of beneficiary new wife $409,300.00
Equitrust sickness exclusion resolved $37,000.00
Chesapeake Life felony crime commission $108,000.00
Accidental Death & Dismemberment $905,000.00
ING Life heroin drug denial case won $50,000.00
SoFi Life lapse of policy due to late payment $13,000.00
First National Life wrong age on application $97,000.00
Mass shooting life insurance denial $149,000.00
USAA lapsed the policy due to nonpayment $31,000.00
Aflac interpleader action wife vs ex-wife won $72,000.00

AIG claimed misrepresentation application $318,300.00
COVID-19 life insurance claim denied we won $232,000.00
Inter-American life dispute among beneficiaries $113,000.00
Minnesota divorce and life insurance $251,690.00
SGLI dispute when beneficiary changed $400,000.00
Coronavirus life insurance claim we won $123,000.00
Denial of FEGLI claim wife versus ex-wife $245,000.00
Guarantee Security felony exclusion gun $276,000.00
American General was denied due to alcohol $214,500.00
Minnesota denied AD&D claim $519,300.00
MetLife self-inflicted injury resolved $128,421.00
Lincoln Heritage interpleader lawsuit 511,000.00
Denied SGLI claim girlfriend vs ex-wife $403,621.00
Minnesota denied life insurance claim $1,329,400.00
Prudential accidental death & dismemberment $406,000.00
Denied AD&D claim in Minnesota we just won $728,000.00
Globe material misrepresentation age & weight $218,000.00
Minnesota life insurance and divorce $304,250.00
Allianz drug exclusion opiates $101,400.00
Liberty Life autoerotic asphyxiation death $105,800.00
Denied life insurance claim Minnesota $2,075,000.00
FEGLI appeal won in record time $403,500.00
Claim of no coverage at time of death $66,900.00