Life Insurance Lawyer Missouri

"Life Insurance Lawyers Serving Missouri: The Lassen Law Firm" Life insurance claims in Missouri can be complicated, particularly when dealing with denied payouts or bad faith insurance practices. At The Lassen Law Firm, we are committed to helping individuals and families across the Show-Me State secure the benefits they deserve. From Kansas City to St. Louis, Springfield to Columbia, and every community in between, we’re here to provide trusted legal guidance and unwavering support.

With a nationwide presence, including Missouri, our experienced life insurance attorneys have recovered over $750 million in policies for our clients. At The Lassen Law Firm, we combine expertise, dedication, and personalized service to ensure justice for every client.

In Missouri, life insurance provides essential financial security to families, offering peace of mind that loved ones will be taken care of after an untimely death. While most people understand that life insurance is meant to provide financial relief, there are situations where claims are denied under less common circumstances that can catch beneficiaries off guard. Life insurance companies such as Transamerica, AIG, and Mutual of Omaha have specific clauses and exclusions that, when applied, may lead to claim rejections. Understanding the less obvious reasons for denial, as well as how beneficiary disputes and life insurance interpleader lawsuits come into play, can help Missouri residents navigate these difficult situations.

One of the more surprising reasons for life insurance claim denial is related to “underwriting errors.” While most people are familiar with the basics of life insurance policies, they may not realize that mistakes made during the underwriting process can later impact claims. Underwriters, typically with companies like Banner Life, Reliastar, and MetLife, assess an applicant’s health, lifestyle, and other factors when determining coverage and premiums. If an underwriter makes an error—such as misclassifying the policyholder’s risk level or failing to properly assess the insured’s health condition—this could result in a policy that doesn't adequately cover the individual. If the insured dies during the contestability period, the insurer may argue that the policy would never have been issued had the correct information been known. The beneficiary could find their claim denied due to the insurer’s own mistakes, despite having paid premiums in good faith.

Another reason for denial that is often overlooked is the “fraudulent misrepresentation” clause. When applying for life insurance, individuals are required to answer questions regarding their health, occupation, and lifestyle. If the insurer later discovers that the applicant misrepresented or omitted critical information, such as a pre-existing medical condition or dangerous activities, it could lead to the denial of the claim. This is especially important with companies like AIG, Symetra, and Reliance Standard, which may scrutinize the accuracy of the information provided during the underwriting process. In Missouri, beneficiaries might be caught off guard when the insurer denies a claim because the insured had failed to disclose a history of substance abuse or a prior heart condition. Though the policyholder may not have intended to deceive the insurer, the consequences of failing to disclose this information can be severe, leading to a denied claim.

Even more uncommon but significant is the “suicide clause,” which applies to most life insurance policies within the first two years of issuance. While this may seem like a well-known reason for denial, it is often overlooked by beneficiaries who are unfamiliar with the policy’s specific terms. If a policyholder takes their own life within the contestability period, the insurer may deny the claim based on the suicide exclusion, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the death. Insurers such as New York Life, Prudential, and State Farm may invoke this clause when investigating claims made within the first two years. It’s important for beneficiaries to understand that if a policyholder dies by suicide during this period, the death benefit is typically not paid out unless the policy explicitly includes coverage for such situations, which is rare.

Additionally, some life insurance policies contain exclusions related to “risky behaviors” or “hazardous activities.” If the insured engaged in certain high-risk activities, such as skydiving, rock climbing, or other extreme sports, without disclosing this information on their application, it can result in a denial. For example, companies like Transamerica, Foresters, and Lincoln Heritage may include clauses that limit or exclude coverage if the insured’s death was the result of engaging in activities considered dangerous or reckless. While beneficiaries might assume the policy would cover such deaths, the fine print may reveal exclusions for specific activities. This is particularly relevant in Missouri, where policyholders may participate in these activities without considering how it could affect their coverage. A fatal accident while engaging in these activities could leave the beneficiary struggling to recover the payout.

Another frequently misunderstood reason for denial involves “policy lapses due to unpaid premiums.” This may seem like an obvious issue, but the nuances of policy maintenance can sometimes catch beneficiaries off guard. Life insurance policies from companies such as MetLife, Aetna, and Mutual of Omaha may include provisions that allow for automatic deductions of premiums from the insured’s bank account. However, if there are insufficient funds in the account or the payment method is no longer valid, premiums may go unpaid without the policyholder realizing it. If this occurs, the insurance company could argue that the policy lapsed, and the coverage is no longer valid, leading to a claim denial. In many cases, beneficiaries are left unaware of the missed payments, only to discover later that the policy was not active at the time of death.

In Missouri, life insurance claims can also be denied when there is confusion surrounding the “beneficiary designation.” This may happen when the policyholder fails to update their beneficiary after a significant life event, such as a divorce, remarriage, or the birth of a child. Life insurance companies, including those like Globe Life, Reliance Standard, and Jackson Life, typically require policyholders to designate a beneficiary, and it’s crucial to ensure that this information is current. If the policyholder neglected to update their beneficiary after a divorce, for example, and the former spouse is still listed, the insurer may payout to that individual instead of the intended beneficiary. Such situations can lead to legal battles and delays as the rightful beneficiary seeks to collect the death benefit. In some cases, the issue can be resolved without significant conflict, but when disagreements arise, it may lead to lengthy legal disputes.

When multiple parties claim the death benefit, the insurer may find itself caught in a situation where it cannot decide who is entitled to the payout. In these instances, a life insurance interpleader lawsuit may be filed. This is a legal procedure in which the insurer asks the court to determine who the rightful beneficiary is. Life insurance companies like New York Life, Reliastar, and AIG might file an interpleader lawsuit to protect themselves from further liability, as they are not in a position to resolve disputes between competing claimants. This process is time-consuming and expensive, leaving beneficiaries without the financial support they were expecting. While the court ultimately decides who the valid beneficiary is, the process can be emotionally taxing for family members who are already grieving.

Beneficiary disputes, often involving family members or estranged relatives, are common sources of conflict in life insurance claims. In Missouri, beneficiaries may find themselves in a situation where a policyholder did not clearly communicate their intent or failed to update their beneficiary designation to reflect current family dynamics. Disagreements over the beneficiary designation can lead to legal battles over who is entitled to the payout. This is especially problematic when the policyholder has not provided clear instructions regarding their wishes, such as in cases where they have multiple children from different relationships or have not kept their paperwork updated. Life insurance companies, such as Prudential, Symetra, and Transamerica, may be forced to delay or withhold payment until a court resolves the issue, causing further strain for the family involved.

Life insurance interpleader lawsuits can exacerbate these disputes, adding legal complexity to an already emotionally charged situation. In Missouri, insurers often file interpleader actions to avoid being held liable for paying out to the wrong beneficiary. By filing an interpleader, the insurer asks the court to determine who is entitled to receive the benefits. This legal process can last for months or even years, depending on the complexity of the case, during which time the claimants may be left without the funds they need. While this process is intended to protect the insurer from legal risk, it can create further hardship for the beneficiaries who must wait for the court’s decision.

Questions about life insurance claims in Missouri

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 Missouri?

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

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

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 Missouri?

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 Missouri?

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 Missouri state law?

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

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

These Missouri life insurance companies deny many claims: Kansas City Life in Kansas City MO, and Shelter Life Insurance in Columbia MO.

2025 Missouri Denied Life Insurance Claims

USAA COVID-19 death denial won $104,600.00
Mass shooting denied life insurance claim $985,000.00
Mutual Life coronavirus death rejection $55,000.00
State Farm Life felony exclusion $11,000.00
Loyal American misrepresentation claim $26,000.00
Sentinel Life suicide denial gun discharge $77,000.00
AD&D denial intoxication exclusion overturned $49,000.00
Bestow Financial Life cancer in medical records $22,000.00
Farmers New World lapsed the policy after death $95,000.00
Colonial Penn interpleader lawsuit resolved $588,000.00
Lincoln Benefit Life contestable period delay $37,000.00

Globe alcohol related death issue $107,200.00
Penn Treaty didn't get paperwork $39,300.00
Denied AD&D claim heart attack death $51,000.00
Iowa Farm competing beneficiaries won $95,000.00
SGLI change of beneficiary after death $400,000.00
Midland National interpleader lawsuit $256,300.00
Unum irrevocable beneficiary dispute $515,750.00
Missouri denied life insurance claim $3,500,000.00
Denied Accidental Death & Dismemberment $390,800.00
Denial of SGLI claim of ex-wife $402,488.00
American Fidelity felony exclusion $221,900.00
ERISA life insurance appeal successful $382,500.00
Mutual Benefit several exclusions we won $85,000.00
Transamerica material information missing $275,000.00
Denial of FEGLI claim of girlfriend we won $228,900.00
Foresters suicide clause settled $117,000.00
AIG accidental death claim $504,000.00
Missouri divorce and life insurance $700,000.00
Reliance Standard autoerotic asphyxiation $219,000.00
USAA material misrepresentation $104,623.00
Missouri denied AD&D claim $1,000,000.00
Reliable Life insurance claim denial $91,000.00
American General contestable claim medical $101,400.00