Life Insurance Lawyer Oklahoma

"Life Insurance Lawyers Serving Oklahoma: The Lassen Law Firm" Dealing with life insurance claims in Oklahoma can be challenging, especially when facing denied benefits or bad faith insurance practices. At The Lassen Law Firm, we proudly assist individuals and families across the Sooner State in recovering the payouts they deserve. From Oklahoma City to Tulsa, Norman to Edmond, and every corner of Oklahoma, we provide trusted legal representation and unwavering support.

In Oklahoma, beneficiaries can face a number of less commonly discussed reasons for the rejection of a life insurance claim. While some denials are linked to obvious factors such as failure to pay premiums or death within the contestability period, there are more subtle reasons that may surprise policyholders and beneficiaries alike. Insurance companies like Banner Life, MetLife, and Reliastar have denied claims due to specific issues with the policyholder's application, medical history, and even the fine print of the policy itself.

One reason that can cause an unexpected denial involves an "underwriting error" during the initial application process. For example, if a policyholder misrepresented their medical history, occupation, or lifestyle habits (like smoking), it could lead to the insurer rejecting the claim. Insurers like AIG, Symetra, and USAA may deny the claim if they find discrepancies between the application information and the actual circumstances surrounding the policyholder's death. This could happen if, for example, the insured had pre-existing health conditions like diabetes or heart disease but failed to disclose them when purchasing the policy. In such cases, the insurer may invoke a "material misrepresentation" clause, arguing that had the insurer known about the health issues, they would have issued a different policy or adjusted the premium. This often leads to frustration for beneficiaries who may not have been aware of the policyholder’s omissions, and the insurer may refuse to pay out the benefits as a result.

Another surprising reason for denial is related to a "lack of insurable interest." In Oklahoma, as in other states, life insurance policies must meet the legal requirement of insurable interest, meaning the policyholder must demonstrate a financial relationship with the person whose life is insured. If an individual takes out a policy on a person with whom they have no legitimate financial interest (e.g., a distant acquaintance or an unrelated person), the insurer may reject the claim if the relationship is not clearly demonstrated. While this is a rare scenario, companies like Prudential, Transamerica, and Hartford Life have faced cases where beneficiaries were denied payment due to an inability to prove their insurable interest in the deceased’s life. This denial can occur when the policyholder's life insurance is contested, often resulting in complex legal battles.

In some cases, beneficiaries are denied life insurance payouts due to "policy exclusions" that are often hidden within the fine print. Many life insurance policies contain exclusions that may not be immediately apparent to the policyholder or beneficiary. For instance, certain policies may have exclusions for deaths resulting from specific causes, such as acts of war, terrorism, or dangerous hobbies like skydiving or bungee jumping. Insurers like Lincoln Heritage, Reliance Standard, and Western & Southern have denied claims because the cause of death fell into one of these excluded categories, leaving beneficiaries confused and upset. While some exclusions are understandable (like for extreme sports or illegal activities), others are more ambiguous, and their application can vary depending on the circumstances. This is especially frustrating in Oklahoma, where policyholders may not fully understand what is covered until it is too late.

Another denial reason that is often overlooked is when the life insurance company invokes the "lack of required documentation" clause. For example, if a policyholder’s death occurs under unusual circumstances, insurers such as MassMutual, Nationwide, or Guardian may require additional documentation, such as an autopsy report, medical records, or even a police report, before proceeding with the claim. If any of these documents are incomplete or difficult to obtain, the insurer may delay or deny the payout. This can become especially difficult if the deceased's death occurred in a situation where such records are hard to come by, such as in an accident or during a sudden medical emergency.

Perhaps one of the most complex situations arises when multiple people claim to be the rightful beneficiary of the policy, leading to what is known as a "beneficiary dispute." This is particularly common in Oklahoma when there is uncertainty over whether a beneficiary designation is valid or up-to-date. A policyholder may have changed beneficiaries over the years but failed to properly update the paperwork, or there may be competing claims from multiple individuals, such as a surviving spouse and children from a previous marriage. Life insurance companies like Transamerica, American General, and Prudential have found themselves in the middle of such disputes, often leading to significant delays in the claims process. When beneficiaries disagree on who should receive the payout, the insurance company may need to file a legal action to resolve the matter.

In cases where there is ambiguity about the beneficiary's claim, life insurance companies might initiate an "interpleader lawsuit." This legal procedure allows the insurer to deposit the disputed death benefit with the court and have the legal system determine the rightful recipient. While an interpleader lawsuit can protect the insurer from liability, it can result in lengthy court battles and frustration for all parties involved. In Oklahoma, interpleader lawsuits are often filed when the named beneficiaries disagree on the legitimacy of a change made to the policyholder's beneficiary designation. These disputes can sometimes involve complicated family dynamics, such as estranged relatives or relatives who were not aware of a recent change to the policy.

Another common cause of life insurance claim denials is related to the policyholder’s involvement in "high-risk activities" before or around the time of death. Some life insurance companies, such as Lincoln Financial, Jackson Life, and Foresters, might have clauses in their policies that exclude coverage if the insured dies while participating in activities deemed hazardous, such as extreme sports or illegal endeavors. For instance, if a policyholder was injured or killed in a car accident while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the insurer may use this as a reason to deny the claim. Even if the cause of death is linked to a medical condition, if the insurer can argue that the medical issue was exacerbated by the insured's risky behavior, they may invoke the exclusion clause.

Misunderstandings about policy terms can also lead to claims being denied. In some cases, the policyholder might not fully understand the terms of their coverage, and as a result, the claim is denied when it turns out the policy didn’t cover the specific cause of death. Insurers like AIG, Erie, and Globe Life have faced such issues where the policyholder did not fully grasp the exclusions or limitations of their policy. Often, these issues arise in cases where the policyholder purchased supplemental or accidental death insurance, but their death did not meet the specific criteria outlined in the policy.

While many life insurance claims in Oklahoma are processed without issue, the complexities of the claims process can sometimes lead to unexpected denials. It is crucial for policyholders to fully understand their life insurance policy and to regularly update beneficiary information. Beneficiaries should be aware of the necessary documentation required to file a claim and the potential exclusions that may apply to the policy. If a claim is denied, the next steps should involve reviewing the terms of the policy and, if necessary, consulting with an attorney who specializes in life insurance disputes to understand the best course of action. Legal professionals can help navigate the complexities of beneficiary disputes, interpleader lawsuits, and appeals, ensuring that the rightful beneficiaries receive the death benefits they are entitled to under the law.

Questions about life insurance claims in Oklahoma

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 Oklahoma?

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

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

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 Oklahoma?

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 Oklahoma?

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 Oklahoma state law?

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

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

These Oklahoma life insurance companies deny many claims: American Fidelity Assurance Company in Oklahoma City, and Globe Life.

2025 Oklahoma Denied Life Insurance Claims

  • Prudential COVID-19 death denial $303,000.00
  • Mass shooting Oklahoma denied claim $205,000.00
  • Gerber Life material misrepresentation $101,000.00
  • Choice Mutual felony exclusion $54,000.00
  • United Life wrong age on application $20,000.00
  • Bankers Life power of attorney change $49,000.00
  • Kentucky Central lapse of policy $103,000.00
  • National Life cancer in medical records $60,000.00
  • Fabric Life oxycontin illegal drug exclusion $76,000.00
  • Accidental Death & Dismemberment $519,000.00
  • SGLI claim denial beneficiary change $403,500.00
  • Colonial Penn chronically ill exclusion $56,000.00
  • State Farm misrepresentation on application $107,000.00
  • American General terrorism exclusion won $250,000.00
  • Genworth Life interpleader lawsuit filed won $304,000.00
  • Fidelity drunk driving alcohol exclusion $224,780.00
  • Transamerica interpleader lawsuit $408,000.00
  • Gerber misrepresentation application $249,000.00
  • Oklahoma denied life insurance claim $1,721,000.00
  • Primerica dementia not disclosed on application $330,000.00
  • ERISA appeal of denied life insurance claim $120,500.00
  • Guardian prescription drug exclusion case $278,000.00
  • Denied life insurance claim Oklahoma $852,000.00
  • Unum autoerotic asphyxiation death $505,000.00
  • SGLI they didn’t get change form in time $400,000.00
  • Oklahoma divorce and life insurance $280,000.00
  • ING policy not in force allegedly $305,000.00
  • Stonebridge premium payments misapplied $213,000.00
  • Prudential material misrepresentation as to age $360,000.00
  • Globe very long delay of benefits resolved $112,000.00

In Oklahoma, beneficiaries can face a number of less