Life Insurance

"Life Insurance Lawyers Serving Tennessee: The Lassen Law Firm" Life insurance claims in Tennessee can be complicated, particularly when dealing with denied benefits or delayed payouts. At The Lassen Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping individuals and families across the Volunteer State recover the benefits they rightfully deserve. Whether you’re in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, or anywhere else in Tennessee, we bring trusted legal expertise and personalized support to every case.

As experienced life insurance attorneys handling cases nationwide, including Tennessee, we’ve successfully recovered over $750 million in policies for our clients. At The Lassen Law Firm, we combine legal experience, relentless advocacy, and compassionate care to fight for justice for every client we serve.

Lawyer Tennessee

Denied life insurance claims can leave beneficiaries feeling devastated, confused, and financially burdened, especially when they’ve been relying on the death benefit to cover immediate expenses following the passing of a loved one. In Tennessee, as elsewhere, there are several reasons why a claim might be denied, ranging from policy exclusions to lapses in premium payments, misrepresentation, and even fraudulent claims. Insurance companies like MetLife, AIG, and Prudential may deny claims based on the specific terms and conditions outlined in the policy, including the contestability period, policy exclusions, or misstatements during the underwriting process. It’s important to understand the common reasons for these denials and how policyholders and their beneficiaries can respond effectively to protect their rights.

Misrepresentation is one of the most significant causes of life insurance claim denials. When applying for life insurance in Tennessee, policyholders are required to disclose their health conditions, lifestyle choices, and medical history honestly. If an individual fails to disclose a pre-existing condition or engages in risky behaviors like smoking or excessive alcohol consumption, the insurer may later deny the claim based on this misrepresentation. Life insurance companies like Reliance Standard and Jackson Life often perform a thorough review of applications, particularly within the contestability period, which typically lasts for two years after the policy is issued. During this period, they can investigate whether the policyholder’s application was truthful. If misrepresentation is discovered, insurers in Tennessee, such as USAA and MetLife, may rescind the policy and deny the death benefit, leaving beneficiaries with no financial support.

Exclusion clauses in life insurance policies are another common reason for denied claims. Policies from companies like Transamerica and Symetra often include exclusions for certain types of deaths, such as those resulting from suicide, drug overdose, or death due to participating in high-risk activities like skydiving or professional racing. A suicide clause, for example, typically excludes death benefits if the policyholder dies by suicide within a specified period, usually within the first two years of the policy. In Tennessee, beneficiaries may face claim denials if the death falls under one of these exclusions, especially if the insurer deems the cause of death to be related to one of the high-risk activities or conditions specified in the policy. Understanding the specifics of these exclusions is crucial to avoiding future disappointment.

Policy lapse, caused by non-payment of premiums, is another leading cause of life insurance claim denials in Tennessee. Insurers like The Hartford or Lincoln Heritage typically offer a grace period after a premium is due, allowing policyholders to make up missed payments without losing coverage. However, if premiums are not paid within the grace period, the policy may lapse, and coverage is terminated. In such cases, even if the policyholder dies after the lapse, the insurer may deny the claim. It is essential for policyholders to be aware of the grace period and ensure premiums are consistently paid to avoid a policy lapse. Companies like Mass Mutual or Midland National, which offer permanent life policies, may have additional options for covering premiums using cash value accumulated in the policy. However, if the policyholder fails to manage the cash value properly or misses premium payments, the policy could still lapse.

When a claim is filed, life insurance companies often conduct a detailed claim investigation, especially if the cause of death is unclear or suspicious. For example, insurers like Securian and Foresters may request the death certificate, review medical records, and consult with the Medical Information Bureau (MIB) to verify the cause of death and determine whether it meets the criteria outlined in the policy. If the cause of death is inconsistent with the policy’s exclusions or if there is suspicion of fraud, such as inflating income or misreporting high-risk activities, insurers in Tennessee might refuse the claim. Insurance fraud is a serious issue that insurers like Nationwide and New York Life actively investigate, especially when there is a potential for the policyholder to have provided misleading statements or concealed dangerous habits.

Additionally, Tennessee residents filing life insurance claims should pay close attention to policyholders’ rights regarding riders and endorsements, which can significantly impact the claim payout. For example, a policyholder might have an accidental death benefit rider attached to their policy, but if the cause of death is not considered an “accidental death” by the insurance company, the death benefit under that rider might not apply. Insurers like Reliastar and Banner, known for their customizable policies, may offer additional riders that can increase coverage in certain situations. However, if the terms of these riders aren’t met, the claim may be denied. It's vital that beneficiaries thoroughly understand what riders apply to their policies, as well as the conditions that must be fulfilled for these benefits to be valid.

The appeal process is available for those whose claims are denied, and this can be a critical step in challenging an insurer’s decision. If an insurer like Prudential or Reliance Standard denies a claim, beneficiaries in Tennessee have the right to appeal the decision by providing additional evidence or clarification. This may involve submitting a policyholder affidavit, submitting medical exams, or providing a more detailed explanation of the circumstances surrounding the death. In many cases, the insurer will reconsider the claim after reviewing the additional information, and they may ultimately approve the claim. However, if the appeal is unsuccessful, beneficiaries still have the option of pursuing legal recourse, such as arbitration or insurance litigation. Legal representation may be necessary if the insurance company has denied a claim in bad faith or if there is a coverage dispute that cannot be resolved through the appeal process.

Tennessee residents must also ensure that their beneficiary designation is current. If the policyholder did not update their beneficiary designation or if the designation is ambiguous, it may lead to disputes among potential beneficiaries or even result in claim delays. Life insurance companies such as Mass Mutual and Transamerica provide clear instructions for updating and confirming beneficiary designations. If there are multiple beneficiaries listed or if the beneficiary designation is outdated, it may require additional legal processes to resolve. This is a situation that can cause delays, particularly if there are conflicting claims or disagreements about the rightful recipient of the death benefit.

When filing a claim in Tennessee, it’s important to be aware of the specific terms outlined in the policy, including coverage amounts, exclusions, and whether the policy is a term life, whole life, or universal life policy. Each type of policy comes with its own conditions. Term life insurance, for example, only provides coverage for a specific period, and if the policyholder dies outside of that term, no claim will be paid. Whole life and universal life policies, such as those offered by insurers like Nationwide and Lincoln Heritage, typically provide coverage for the lifetime of the policyholder and can accumulate cash value over time. Understanding the differences between these types of policies is essential for knowing what is covered and ensuring that the claim is filed correctly.

In conclusion, denied life insurance claims in Tennessee can be the result of various factors, such as misrepresentation, policy exclusions, policy lapse, or failure to meet the terms of riders or endorsements. If a claim is denied, beneficiaries should understand their rights to appeal the decision and may consider seeking legal counsel if the insurer refuses to provide the death benefit. Companies like Reliance Standard, AIG, and Banner offer different types of life insurance policies, each with its own specific terms and exclusions, so it’s vital for policyholders to carefully review their policy documents. By staying informed about policy terms and maintaining accurate records, policyholders and their beneficiaries can better navigate the claim process and increase their chances of a successful payout.

Questions about life insurance claims in Tennessee

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 Tennessee?

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

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

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 Tennessee?

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 Tennessee?

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 Tennessee state law?

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

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

These Tennessee life insurance companies deny many claims: Unum Group in Chattanooga, American General Life in Nashville, and Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee.

2025 Tennessee Denied Life Insurance Claims

  • Bankers Life coronavirus death $105,000.00
  • Mass shooting death Tennessee denial $43,000.00
  • AXA Equitable COVID-19 death denied $30,000.00
  • State Farm felony exclusion case won $57,000.00
  • Accidental Death & Dismemberment $520,000.00
  • Dearborn Life chronically ill exclusion $44,000.00
  • Scotia Life intoxication exclusion won $112,000.00
  • CMFG Life oxycontin exclusion rejected $66,000.00
  • AD&D claim due to intoxication resolved $790,000.00
  • Humana Life suicide exclusion rejected $203,000.00
  • Columbian Mutual Life insurance exclusions $11,000.00
  • National Benefit Life self-inflicted injury $215,000.00
  • AAA felony exclusion shooting crime $102,000.00
  • Gleaner Life material misrepresentation $40,000.00
  • PHP Life competing beneficiaries won $25,000.00
  • Amalgamated life cancer medical records $109,000.00
  • Mutual Savings Life oxycodone denial $56,000.00
  • NTA Life emergency room visit in record $34,000.00
  • OPM Life lapsed the policy we resolved $70,000.00
  • Foresters misrepresentation application $217,000.00
  • American General interpleader lawsuit $304,500.00
  • SGLI competing beneficiaries won $400,000.00
  • Tennessee denied life insurance claim 814,000.00
  • ERISA appeal contested outcome $152,000.00
  • Reliance Standard beneficiary dispute $274,000.00
  • Denied life insurance claim Tennessee $1,014,000.00
  • Unum suicide and or self-inflicted injury $311,000.00
  • AIG drug exclusion for meth $348,900.00
  • Tennessee divorce and life insurance $623,000.00
  • State Farm autoerotic asphyxiation death $128,000.00
  • FEGLI appeal with successful resolution $139,000.00
  • Tennessee bad faith life insurance $512,000.00