Life Insurance Lawyer New Hampshire

"Life Insurance Lawyers Serving New Hampshire: The Lassen Law Firm" Navigating life insurance claims in New Hampshire can be challenging, especially when dealing with denied benefits or bad faith insurance practices. At The Lassen Law Firm, we are here to help individuals and families across the Granite State recover the payouts they rightfully deserve. Whether you’re in Manchester, Concord, Nashua, Portsmouth, or anywhere else in New Hampshire, we provide expert legal representation and personalized support.

As nationally recognized life insurance attorneys, we handle cases across all 50 states, including New Hampshire, with over $750 million in policies recovered for our clients. The Lassen Law Firm combines relentless dedication, legal expertise, and compassionate advocacy to deliver justice for every client.

In New Hampshire, life insurance is often seen as a crucial financial safety net, designed to protect families and loved ones after the unexpected death of a policyholder. However, even with the peace of mind that comes with having coverage, beneficiaries can find themselves facing frustrating life insurance claim denials. While the more commonly cited reasons for claim denials—such as failure to pay premiums or non-disclosure of pre-existing conditions—are often well known, some denials stem from more unusual and less publicized issues. Insurers such as AIG, Allianz, and MetLife may refuse claims for technicalities that policyholders didn’t expect, leaving families grappling with the financial burden at a difficult time. It’s important for New Hampshire residents to understand these uncommon reasons for claim denials and how they can challenge such decisions.

One lesser-known reason for claim denials in New Hampshire involves the "policy lapse due to administrative errors." Though life insurance companies like Prudential, New York Life, and Transamerica have robust systems for tracking premiums, mistakes can still occur. If an insurer inadvertently fails to process a payment or misapplies a premium, the policyholder’s coverage might lapse, even if the premiums were paid on time. This can happen due to clerical errors or delays in updating account information. If the policyholder passes away after this lapse, the insurer may refuse the claim, arguing that the policy was technically voided due to administrative oversight. In such cases, beneficiaries may have to provide substantial evidence that the premium payments were made and that the error was caused by the insurer’s mistake.

Another uncommon cause for denial involves "claims related to alcohol or drug use." While many life insurance policies, including those from Lincoln Heritage, Mass Mutual, and MetLife, may include clauses excluding coverage if the policyholder's death results from alcohol or drug-related causes, the specifics of these clauses can vary. Even if alcohol or drug use was not a direct cause of death, insurers might argue that it played a contributory role, particularly if the policyholder had a history of addiction or abuse that was not fully disclosed at the time of application. For example, if a policyholder’s medical records show alcohol abuse or a related medical condition, and the insured dies from a condition indirectly linked to this history, the insurer may invoke the exclusion to deny the claim.

A unique and often overlooked reason for life insurance claim denials in New Hampshire is related to the insured's participation in high-risk occupations or hobbies. While life insurance policies from companies like Foresters, Symetra, and Jackson Life generally have exclusions for high-risk activities, some insured individuals may not fully understand the scope of these exclusions. For instance, if someone works as a pilot or engages in extreme sports like base jumping or rock climbing and fails to disclose this information on their application, the insurer may deny a claim if the policyholder dies during one of these activities. These policies are intended to mitigate the insurer’s exposure to high-risk claims, but beneficiaries may not always realize that certain jobs or hobbies can invalidate their coverage if they weren't disclosed during the application process.

A more specific denial reason can arise due to the "dual insurance" situation, where the policyholder has multiple life insurance policies from different companies. In this scenario, companies such as Erie, USAA, and Hartford Life may find themselves in conflict regarding which one should pay out the death benefit, especially if the insured died under circumstances that are disputed. If the insured had multiple policies that were not cross-referenced, each insurer might refuse to pay out until they can determine the amount owed. If there are conflicting terms in the policies—such as one providing full coverage and the other offering a reduced payout—the situation may require legal intervention to settle, potentially leading to delays or partial payouts.

Beneficiary disputes, too, can complicate the claims process. Disputes often arise when the designated beneficiary is unclear or when the policyholder’s will is contested. Life insurance policies like those from Reliance Standard, Lincoln Financial, and Globe Life can become tangled in these types of conflicts, especially when family members or former spouses contest the policyholder’s intentions. When beneficiaries disagree on who should receive the payout, the insurance company may be forced to file an interpleader lawsuit to resolve the matter. This legal procedure allows the insurer to deposit the death benefit with the court and essentially let the judge determine who is entitled to the funds. The interpleader lawsuit protects the insurer from legal liability while the courts sort out the rightful beneficiary. However, it can result in significant delays, leaving the claimant with little recourse until the issue is resolved.

In some cases, the cause of death itself may become a point of contention. Insurers like Securian, American National, and Protective Life may contest a claim if there is ambiguity about whether the cause of death was accidental or natural. For example, if the insured’s death was ruled as accidental but there were complications, such as prior medical conditions or potential involvement in a risky activity, the insurer might refuse the claim, citing that it doesn’t fit the terms of the policy. Additionally, if the death occurred under suspicious circumstances, the insurer may request an extended investigation before deciding whether to issue the payout. Such delays often add to the emotional and financial stress experienced by beneficiaries.

Another denial reason that can catch policyholders off guard is related to "coverage exclusions for criminal activity." In certain policies, if the insured person dies while involved in illegal activities—such as committing a crime or during the commission of a felony—insurers like State Farm, Nationwide, and Assurant may exclude payment. If a policyholder’s death is linked to criminal behavior, even if they were not convicted of a crime during their lifetime, the insurer might invoke the criminal activity exclusion to deny a claim. This is especially common when the cause of death was related to actions such as armed robbery, driving under the influence, or drug trafficking.

For those in New Hampshire facing these kinds of denials, understanding the terms and conditions of their life insurance policies can be the key to preventing issues at the time of claim. One of the most proactive steps policyholders can take is to maintain transparency with their insurer. This means clearly disclosing any potential exclusions, such as risky hobbies, medical conditions, or dangerous occupations, during the application process. It also helps to regularly review and update beneficiary information to prevent any future disputes.

When a denial occurs, beneficiaries should be prepared to contest it. If the insurer cites obscure or unexpected reasons for denial, such as the ones mentioned above, it’s crucial to gather all necessary documentation, including medical records, proof of premium payments, and the policyholder’s complete application history. Legal professionals who specialize in life insurance disputes can help guide beneficiaries through the appeals process and, if necessary, assist with filing lawsuits. If the case involves an interpleader lawsuit, experienced legal counsel can ensure that the beneficiary’s claim is properly presented in court.

Questions about life insurance claims in New Hampshire

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 New Hampshire?

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

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

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 New Hampshire?

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 New Hampshire?

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 New Hampshire state law?

There are many exceptions to denials based on New Hampshire state law.

2025 New Hampshire Denied Life Insurance Claims

Transamerica COVID-19 death $502,000.00
Guardian Life chronic illness exclusion $49,000.00
AARP coronavirus denial case $104,000.00
Baltimore Life lapse of policy won $36,000.00
Mass shooting life insurance claim $102,000.00
Legal & General lapsed the policy $50,000.00
Accidental Death & Dismemberment drug use $290,000.00
Midland National power of attorney change $77,000.00
JRC Insurance Group beneficiary dispute $32,000.00
Haven Life interpleader lawsuit won $115,000.00
Athene Life material misrepresentation $80,000.00
Pacific Life act of war exclusion won $50,000.00
North American Life cancer rejection $98,000.00

MetLife policy purchased less than 2 years ago $328,500.00
Stonebridge illegal activity exclusion $202,860.00
AIG accidental death & dismemberment AD&D $407,000.00
Gerber ambiguous language policy $278,200.00
FEGLI dispute among beneficiaries $146,000.00
New Hampshire denied life insurance claim $1,500,000.00
ERISA appeal had to overcome 3 issues $139,000.00
Allstate material misrepresentation application $302,000.00
American General suspicious circumstances $204,000.00
New Hampshire denied AD&D claim won $1,00,000.00
Hartford autoerotic asphyxiation death $305,900.00
Globe lapse policy not in force $103,000.00
Transamerica alcohol drunk driving death $259,000.00
SGLI 2 issues first was beneficiary change $400,000.00
New Hampshire divorce and life insurance $731,000.00
AAA suicide or self-inflicted injury exclusion $114,200.00
Bankers issue with felony exclusion on policy $283,000.00
Genworth prescription drug exclusion issue $107,000.00