Life Insurance Lawyer Rhode Island

"Life Insurance Lawyers Serving Rhode Island: The Lassen Law Firm" Dealing with life insurance claims in Rhode Island can be daunting, especially when facing denied benefits or bad faith insurance practices. At The Lassen Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping individuals and families across the Ocean State recover the payouts they deserve. Whether you’re in Providence, Warwick, Cranston, Pawtucket, or any other part of Rhode Island, we provide expert legal guidance and personalized support to every client.

With a nationwide presence, including Rhode Island, our experienced life insurance attorneys have successfully recovered over $750 million in policies for our clients. At The Lassen Law Firm, we bring dedication, legal expertise, and relentless advocacy to fight for justice for those we represent.

In Rhode Island, life insurance claims can sometimes face unexpected hurdles, especially when the reasons for denial aren’t the most commonly known. Many beneficiaries might think their claim will be smooth sailing only to find that various technicalities, unusual exclusions, or issues with the policyholder’s actions can lead to a denial. Among the companies that have been known to deny claims in such circumstances are AIG, MassMutual, Transamerica, and Lincoln Financial. Understanding these less common denial reasons and the potential for beneficiary disputes can help beneficiaries navigate the complexities of life insurance claims more effectively.

One lesser-known reason for a life insurance claim denial in Rhode Island is the insurer’s assertion that the cause of death falls under a specific exclusion clause for "acts of war or terrorism." While exclusions for suicide and criminal activities are well-known, policies may also include exclusions for deaths that occur as a result of armed conflict, terrorism, or other violent events. Insurers like MetLife, New York Life, and Reliance Standard may invoke this clause in cases where a policyholder dies as part of an event tied to war or a terrorist attack. For example, if the policyholder was traveling abroad in a region experiencing political instability or was working in a high-risk area when they died, these companies may determine that the cause of death falls under the exclusion. This can be a major shock for the beneficiary, who may not have realized that such exclusions existed in the fine print of their loved one’s policy.

Another often-overlooked reason for denial comes when a claim is rejected due to "inconsistent or incomplete documentation." When filing a life insurance claim, beneficiaries are required to submit a death certificate and other necessary documentation to prove the circumstances of the insured’s passing. However, life insurance companies such as Globe Life, Prudential, and Symetra have been known to deny claims if the paperwork provided does not meet their specific requirements. In particular, if there are discrepancies in the documentation—for instance, if the cause of death listed on the death certificate does not align with the information provided in the initial claim, or if there are missing signatures or incomplete details—these insurers may take the position that the claim cannot be processed. This issue can often arise in cases where the insured died under unusual or unclear circumstances, leaving the beneficiary scrambling to resolve discrepancies in the paperwork.

An especially complex reason for denial in Rhode Island arises when the life insurance company claims that the insured passed away from a pre-existing condition that was not disclosed when the policy was originally issued. Pre-existing conditions, such as chronic diseases or genetic disorders, may lead to exclusions or limitations in coverage if not fully disclosed. If a policyholder was diagnosed with a serious illness such as diabetes, heart disease, or cancer, and they failed to disclose this information when applying for life insurance, insurers like Aetna, Reliastar, and Hartford Life may argue that this omission constitutes a "material misrepresentation." If the insured dies from a condition linked to that undisclosed pre-existing illness, these insurers might deny the claim entirely, leaving the beneficiary without the coverage they expected. This situation is often complicated and can require significant legal intervention to prove that the omission was not intentional or that the insurer’s denial was wrongful.

On a more unexpected note, life insurance companies like Jackson Life, Foresters, and Banner Life may also deny claims based on what’s known as the "waiting period" provision for certain types of policies, particularly "graded death benefit" policies. These policies are designed for individuals who may have difficulty qualifying for standard life insurance due to health issues. However, they often contain a waiting period—typically two or three years—during which the full death benefit is not paid out. If the policyholder dies during this waiting period, the beneficiary might only receive a refund of premiums paid, or in some cases, a portion of the death benefit. While this is generally understood for graded policies, it can still come as a surprise to beneficiaries who aren’t aware of the nuances of their loved one’s specific coverage. Insurers such as Securian and Forethought Life have been known to reject claims in such situations, causing confusion for families who expect a full payout.

Policyholders who work in "high-risk" occupations or engage in dangerous activities may also face complications when it comes to claims. Some life insurance policies, including those issued by companies such as State Farm, Nationwide, and Erie, include clauses that exclude coverage for deaths that occur while engaging in high-risk professions or activities. This can include jobs like firefighting, logging, or flying as a private pilot. These exclusions are often buried in the fine print and can easily be overlooked when purchasing life insurance. If the insured passes away as a result of an accident related to their high-risk occupation or hobby, the insurer may deny the claim. In Rhode Island, where some industries involve high-risk jobs due to the state’s economy, beneficiaries may not be aware of these exclusions until it’s too late.

Beneficiary disputes can also complicate life insurance claims in Rhode Island. In some cases, multiple individuals may believe they are the rightful beneficiary of a policy, especially when the policyholder failed to update their beneficiary designations after significant life events such as marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child. Companies like Guardian, American National, and CUNA Mutual might find themselves stuck in the middle of a dispute between family members or ex-spouses, each of whom has a claim to the death benefit. If the policyholder had not properly updated their beneficiary information, the insurer may be forced to hold the funds until the dispute is resolved. These situations can lead to a lengthy and stressful process for the beneficiaries, who may feel that they are being denied the benefits they are rightfully owed.

One of the most serious legal challenges in such cases is the possibility of an interpleader lawsuit. Life insurance companies such as Lincoln Benefit, Principal, and Kemper may file an interpleader action when there are conflicting claims on the death benefit. This lawsuit allows the insurer to deposit the death benefit with the court and let a judge determine who is the rightful beneficiary. While this can seem like a neutral approach, it often results in a long and expensive legal process, leaving beneficiaries in a state of limbo while the case is adjudicated. Interpleader lawsuits are an unfortunate reality for those in Rhode Island who find themselves caught up in such disputes, and it’s important to understand that the insurer’s role is only to resolve the issue of who is entitled to the proceeds, not to make a decision about the fairness of the claims.

For beneficiaries who feel their claim was unjustly denied or delayed, the first step is to thoroughly review the life insurance policy to understand any exclusions, limitations, or clauses that might apply. In some cases, filing an appeal or seeking a legal remedy through a lawsuit might be necessary. Rhode Island’s laws offer protections for beneficiaries who are wrongfully denied the death benefit, and an experienced attorney can help them fight for the benefits they are owed. The legal process can be complex, but with the right support, beneficiaries may be able to secure a favorable outcome, even in the face of obscure and complicated denial reasons.

Questions about life insurance claims in Rhode Island

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

You need to a top Rhode Island life insurance lawyer to represent you.

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

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

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

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

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

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 Rhode Island?

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

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

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 Rhode Island?

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 Rhode Island?

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 Rhode Island state law?

There are many exceptions to denials based on Rhode Island state law.

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

These Rhode Island life insurance companies deny many claims: Metlife in Warwick RI, and Providence Mutual in Warwick.

2025 Rhode Island Denied Life Insurance Claims

Transamerica coronavirus death $504,000.00
Settlers Life chronic illness exclusion $15,000.00
North American Life COVID-19 denial $106,000.00
American Chambers Life exclusions $33,000.00
Lincoln Memorial Life felony exclusion $76,000.00
Guarantee Security Life interpleader $51,000.00
Inter-American Life power of attorney change $18,000.00
Mass shooting Rhode Island denied claim $92,000.00
Mutual Benefit Life chronic illness exclusion $57,000.00
First National Life self-inflicted injury hanging $130,000.00
AAA Life material misrepresentation won $95,000.00
Forethought Life felony exclusion crime case $144,000.00
Colorado Bankers Life wrong social security $40,000.00
Zander Life cancer in the medical records $23,000.00
Phoenix Life contestable period rejection $39,000.00

Prudential invalid beneficiary designation $405,000.00
HSBC felony exclusion crime commission $321,000.00
AIG alcohol exclusion drunk driving death $288,00
Rhode Island denied life insurance claim $1,653,000.00
Globe the contestable period medical $104,000.00
FEGLI appeal won after legal brief $139,000.00
Stonebridge policy not in force supposedly $250,000.00
ERISA appeal denial of benefits $184,000.00
Gerber sickness exclusion resolved $277,000.00
Denied life insurance claim Rhode Island $2,045,200.00
SGLI ex-wife versus child dispute $400.00/00
American General interpleader $300,000.00
Genworth prescription drug exclusion $109,000.00
Rhode Island life insurance and divorce $518,000.00
Nationwide autoerotic asphyxiation death $253,000.00
Rhode Island bad faith life insurance $629,000.00
AARP misrepresentation on application $301,900.00