Life Insurance Lawyer New York

"Life Insurance Lawyers Serving New York: The Lassen Law Firm" Navigating life insurance claims in New York can be particularly challenging, especially when dealing with denied benefits or bad faith insurance practices. At The Lassen Law Firm, we proudly help individuals and families across the Empire State recover the payouts they rightfully deserve. Whether you’re in New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, or any other part of New York, we’re here to provide expert legal guidance and personalized support.

As nationally recognized life insurance attorneys, we’ve successfully handled cases across all 50 states, including New York, with over $750 million in policies recovered for our clients. At The Lassen Law Firm, we combine relentless advocacy, unparalleled expertise, and compassionate representation to deliver justice for every client we serve.

In New York, life insurance is an essential tool that provides financial support to loved ones when someone passes away. However, despite the initial peace of mind that comes with having life insurance coverage, many beneficiaries are left frustrated and confused when their claims are denied. Life insurance companies, including well-known names like American General, AARP, and MetLife, often deny claims for various reasons. New York residents may find themselves facing an uphill battle when trying to receive the benefits their deceased family members were promised. Understanding the potential reasons for claim denials and the steps to take when such denials occur is vital for ensuring that families in New York are not unfairly denied the protection they deserve.

One of the most common reasons for claim denials in New York is the failure to disclose accurate health information on the life insurance application. Insurance companies such as Banner, MetLife, and Lincoln Heritage have rigorous underwriting processes in place, where they assess the insured’s health history and lifestyle choices. If the insured person failed to provide accurate or complete information about their medical conditions, lifestyle, or any pre-existing conditions, the insurer may deny the claim. This can happen even if the cause of death is unrelated to the non-disclosed condition. For example, if the insured person neglected to disclose a history of smoking or a heart condition, and then died from an unrelated cause, companies like Reliance Standard and Midland National might still choose to void the policy based on the misrepresentation, even though the cause of death had no connection to the health issue. This practice, known as contestability, is common with insurance companies and can leave beneficiaries in a difficult situation, where they feel they are unjustly denied the benefits they were promised.

Another common reason for denial in New York is due to policy exclusions. Life insurance policies issued by companies like Hartford Life, Jackson Life, and Foresters often include clauses that exclude certain causes of death, such as suicide, death due to drug or alcohol abuse, or death resulting from participation in risky activities. These exclusions are clearly outlined in the policy, but they can be difficult for policyholders to fully understand, especially if they are unfamiliar with the specific terms and conditions of their coverage. If a person dies under circumstances that fall within these exclusions, such as a suicide within the first two years of the policy or while engaging in dangerous recreational activities, insurers like Lumico and USAA may deny the claim outright. Additionally, if the insured individual dies as a result of a pre-existing health condition that was not disclosed at the time of application, companies like Symetra, Transamerica, and AAA may deny the claim based on those exclusions. These clauses can be confusing and may be overlooked, leading to a sense of betrayal and shock when the family learns their claim has been rejected.

In New York, another frequent issue with life insurance claims denials arises during the contestability period. Many policies include a contestability clause, which allows insurance companies like Ameritas, Globe, and Horace Mann to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death and potentially reject the claim if it falls within the first two years of the policy. This period is designed to protect the insurer against fraud, but it can be frustrating for beneficiaries who are left waiting for the payout. The insurer has the right to scrutinize the insured's medical history, lifestyle, and even the cause of death during this time. If there are any discrepancies or perceived misrepresentations in the original application, the claim could be denied even if the death was unrelated to the issue. Companies like Columbian Mutual, Integrity, and Corebridge frequently invoke this clause to delay or deny claims, which can be especially challenging for families who are already dealing with the loss of a loved one.

A particularly difficult situation for many beneficiaries in New York arises from policy lapses due to non-payment of premiums. Life insurance policies from companies like Mass Mutual, Pekin, and Prosperity may lapse if premiums are not paid on time. If the insured person passes away after the policy has lapsed, insurers like Trustmark, Wells Fargo, and Anthem may argue that the policy is no longer in force and deny the claim. This can be a tragic oversight, especially if the policyholder had every intention of keeping their insurance in place. In New York, where financial hardship can often lead to missed premium payments, families may find themselves without the coverage they thought they had. Beneficiaries should be aware of the grace periods allowed for premium payments and ensure that their policies remain active to avoid such denials.

Administrative errors and technicalities are also significant contributors to life insurance claim denials in New York. Smaller insurance companies like CMFG, Dearborn, and First Colony have been known to deny claims due to minor mistakes, such as missing signatures or incorrect beneficiary information on the application. These errors, while seemingly insignificant, can be used by insurers as a reason to reject a claim. This can be particularly frustrating for beneficiaries who may have submitted the necessary paperwork in good faith but find their claim denied on a technicality. Even large companies like Humana, Mutual Savings, and State Life may deny claims if there are issues with documentation or other administrative processes. While these kinds of denials are not always related to the policyholder’s health or lifestyle, they can still lead to significant delays and additional stress for the grieving family.

In New York, where many residents rely on life insurance for financial protection, the failure to understand the terms and conditions of a policy is another key reason for denial. Policies issued by insurers like TIAA, Alfa, and National Western may contain language or exclusions that the policyholder did not fully comprehend. For example, certain policies may include limitations on the amount of coverage or stipulate that benefits will only be paid if the insured person’s death meets specific criteria. If the policyholder does not fully understand the impact of these terms, they may not realize that certain circumstances could lead to a denial of the claim. Companies like Assurant, Progressive, and Protective are known for having complex policies with fine print that can easily be misunderstood. In these cases, beneficiaries are often left with little recourse if their claim is denied due to misinterpretation of the policy's provisions.

Moreover, larger insurance companies such as Prudential, Sagicor, and Securian may deny claims if they believe the insured individual did not meet the required conditions for coverage, such as maintaining good health or providing accurate personal information during the application process. These companies often conduct extensive investigations into the insured’s medical records, family history, and even their lifestyle. If there is any inconsistency between the information provided on the application and the cause of death, companies like State Farm, The Hartford, and Unum may dispute the claim, leaving beneficiaries feeling as if they are being penalized for minor or accidental discrepancies. This can be a particularly difficult situation, as families may not have the resources or expertise to navigate the complex appeals process required to overturn such a denial.

The good news for New York residents is that they do have options when facing a denied life insurance claim. The New York Department of Financial Services provides a consumer assistance program that can help beneficiaries file complaints and receive support when dealing with an insurer. Working with a lawyer who specializes in life insurance law can also be an effective strategy for challenging a denial. Lawyers can review the policy, investigate the cause of the denial, and help beneficiaries pursue a legal course of action to ensure they are treated fairly. Many insurers, including companies like Liberty Mutual, Liberty National, and Lincoln Financial, have an appeals process in place, which allows beneficiaries to contest a denial and provide additional evidence to support their claim.

Questions about life insurance claims in New York

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 York?

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 York?

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 York?

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 NY?

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 NY state law?

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

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

These New York life insurance companies deny many claims: New York Life on Madison Ave, Haven Life Insurance on Madison Ave, and Allianz Life on Wall St.

2025 New York Denied Life Insurance Claims

  • Mass shooting New York denied life insurance claim $306,000.00
  • Globe self-inflicted injury or suicide exclusion $218,100.00
  • Transamerica illegal activity felony exclusion $379,000.00
  • AIG interpleader lawsuit beneficiaries won $436,000.00
  • ERISA insufficient documents to support claim $147,000.00
  • New York denied life insurance claim $2,589,300.00
  • SGLI invalid beneficiary issue resolved $400,000.00
  • American Fidelity interpleader lawsuit $308,000.00
  • State Farm spouse and ex-spouse dispute $175,000.00
  • Denied life insurance claim New York $1,264,000.00
  • Stonebridge medical records reveal omission $250,000.00
  • Citizens Life autoerotic asphyxiation death $300,000.00
  • Mass Mutual bad faith denial of claim won $425,000.00
  • Reliance Standard beneficiary dispute $101,000.00
  • Denied AD&D policy New York $1,000,000.00
  • Bankers Life prescription drug exclusion $214,000.00
  • Genworth ambiguous language of policy $126,000.00
  • Principal suspicious circumstances resolved $292,000.00
  • New York divorce and life insurance $3,019,200.00
  • Foresters misstatement of age on application $127,000.00
  • The Hartford foreign death problem settled $389,000.00
  • Prudential accidental death and dismemberment $415,700.00