Life Insurance Lawyer Tennessee

Trusted Life Insurance Lawyers 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, we’ve successfully recovered hundreds of millions 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. Call now for a free consultation to see if we can help you recover your life insurance benefits. No obligation.

Unlike other firms, The Lassen Law Firm exclusively handles denied life insurance claims. With 24 years of experience in this niche, we are recognized as top experts in the field. Our lawyers have earned prestigious awards, including membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and a 10.0 rating on AVVO. No other firm offers the same level of dedication and expertise in denied life insurance cases.

Tennessee denied life insurance claims: answers to common questions

How should I respond if my life insurance claim in Tennessee was turned down?
If your life insurance claim was denied in Tennessee, you should contact a Tennessee life insurance attorney immediately. A lawyer can evaluate the denial reason, advise on your rights, and begin the process of recovering the benefit.
What happens if I'm named in a life insurance interpleader lawsuit in Tennessee?
If you’ve been served with an interpleader lawsuit in Tennessee, the insurer is asking the court to decide who should receive the benefit. You’ll need legal counsel to protect your interests and defend your right to the proceeds.
How are life insurance beneficiary disagreements handled in Tennessee?
Disputes over who the rightful beneficiary is can get complicated. Our Tennessee life insurance law firm helps resolve these conflicts through negotiation or litigation and ensures your claim is properly presented.
Why are accidental death insurance claims often denied in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, AD&D claims are frequently denied when insurers argue that the death was not accidental or that alcohol or a pre-existing condition contributed. We investigate and contest such exclusions aggressively.
Can a missed premium payment cause a Tennessee life insurance policy to lapse and lead to denial?
Yes, but not always rightfully. Many denials in Tennessee related to lapse can be reversed if the insurance company failed to follow state-mandated procedures or provide proper lapse notice.
Can misstatements on a life insurance application result in a denied claim in Tennessee?
Yes, but Tennessee law requires that the misrepresentation be material and made with intent to deceive. We review the facts and often prove the insurer had no valid reason to deny the claim.
Are alcohol exclusions frequently used to deny Tennessee life insurance claims?
Yes, especially in accidental death cases. But these exclusions can often be challenged in Tennessee when the insurer cannot prove intoxication directly caused the death or when the policy language is unclear.
What should I do if an ERISA-governed life insurance claim is denied in Tennessee?
If your group policy is governed by ERISA and was denied, you must file a timely and thorough appeal. In Tennessee, our attorneys prepare ERISA appeals that comply with all legal standards and support success in federal court if necessary.
What is the contestability period for life insurance policies in Tennessee, and how can it affect my claim?
Tennessee policies typically have a two-year contestability window. During that time, insurers may deny claims due to misstatements. We often prove these misstatements were immaterial or unrelated to the cause of death.
What if my life insurance denial letter cites Tennessee law as the reason?
Just because a denial references Tennessee law doesn’t mean it’s valid. We evaluate the legal basis and push back when the insurer misapplies state statutes or ignores exceptions that favor our clients.
Which Tennessee life insurers deny the most claims?
Unum Group (Chattanooga), American General Life (Nashville), and Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee are often associated with claim denials. We pursue benefits from all major life insurers operating in Tennessee.
Is an ex-spouse entitled to life insurance benefits after divorce in Tennessee?
Tennessee law revokes an ex-spouse as beneficiary after divorce unless the insured reaffirms the designation. We help determine if this rule affects your case and pursue or defend claims accordingly.
Does Tennessee’s community property law apply to life insurance payouts?
No, Tennessee is not a community property state. However, in some cases, a spouse may claim part of the benefit if marital funds were used to pay premiums. We help assess whether any spousal rights exist.
Can a Tennessee will override the named beneficiary on a life insurance policy?
No. In Tennessee, the named beneficiary on the life insurance policy takes precedence over the will. However, courts may intervene if fraud or undue influence played a role.
How are attorney fees handled in Tennessee life insurance cases?
Our Tennessee life insurance attorneys work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless we successfully recover benefits on your behalf. No win, no fee.
Can life insurance be denied in Tennessee if the death occurred overseas?
Yes, but only if the policy includes a valid foreign death exclusion. We challenge many international death denials in Tennessee where the exclusion does not clearly apply.
What if a beneficiary change occurred shortly before the insured’s death in Tennessee?
Beneficiary changes made close to death may be challenged in Tennessee courts if there’s evidence of undue influence, lack of capacity, or coercion. We handle these disputes regularly.
Is it legal in Tennessee for insurers to delay a life insurance claim indefinitely?
No. In Tennessee, insurers are required to process life insurance claims within a reasonable time. Unnecessary delays can lead to a bad faith claim and further compensation.
Can a death be misclassified as natural to deny a Tennessee accidental death claim?
Yes, this is a common denial tactic. We work with forensic experts to determine whether the death meets the definition of "accidental" under the policy and Tennessee law.
Can incorrect application entries by the insurance agent lead to claim denial in Tennessee?
Yes, but if the agent made the mistake, the insurer in Tennessee may still be liable. We challenge denials based on agent error and push for full payment.
What is considered bad faith in a Tennessee life insurance claim denial?
Bad faith in Tennessee includes denying a claim without justification, misrepresenting the policy, or failing to investigate. We pursue bad faith claims to recover not just the benefit but also additional damages.
Do contestability period denials require legal action in Tennessee?
Often, yes. Many contestability denials in Tennessee are based on minor or irrelevant issues. We build strong legal challenges and frequently reverse these denials.
Is appealing an ERISA life insurance denial different in Tennessee than a private policy?
Yes. ERISA appeals in Tennessee must meet strict federal guidelines. We know how to structure appeals that succeed within those legal limitations.
What happens if there’s no beneficiary named on a Tennessee life insurance policy?
If no beneficiary is named, the proceeds typically go to the estate. We guide families through Tennessee probate and help rightful heirs recover the benefit.
Can a Tennessee court reverse a suspicious beneficiary change?
Yes. If a change was made under pressure or involved fraud, we file court petitions in Tennessee to invalidate the change and protect the rightful heir.
Do insurers have to notify policyholders before canceling a Tennessee policy?
Yes, Tennessee law requires advance notice before canceling a life insurance policy. If notice wasn’t given, the policy may still be enforceable and the denial invalid.
How are union and group life insurance policies handled in Tennessee?
Many group policies in Tennessee are governed by ERISA. We review the fine print and appeal denials based on faulty enrollment, missed premiums, or unclear exclusions.
Can multiple beneficiaries file claims for the same policy in Tennessee?
Yes, and insurers often file interpleaders in Tennessee courts to resolve the dispute. We represent individuals in interpleader lawsuits to secure their share of the benefit.
Can a life insurance claim proceed in Tennessee if the insured was declared legally dead after going missing?
Yes. Once the insured is legally declared dead under Tennessee law, beneficiaries can file a claim. We assist with both the court process and the insurance claim.
What’s the appeal deadline for a denied life insurance claim in Tennessee?
Deadlines vary. ERISA claims in Tennessee must typically be appealed within 180 days. State-regulated policies may have longer timelines. We act fast to preserve your rights.
Can spoken promises about life insurance be enforced in Tennessee?
Generally, no. Tennessee law requires beneficiary designations to be in writing. However, in some cases we pursue equitable remedies when the insured’s intent is clearly documented.
Are life insurance benefits protected from creditors in Tennessee?
In most Tennessee cases, life insurance benefits are exempt from creditors if there’s a named beneficiary. If the estate receives the benefit, creditors may have access.
Can policy language be challenged in Tennessee if it’s unclear?
Yes. Tennessee courts interpret ambiguous life insurance terms in favor of the beneficiary. We use this rule to dispute vague exclusions and push for payment.
Can a policy still pay out if it lapsed in Tennessee?
Yes. If the lapse occurred because of missed notice, grace period issues, or attempted reinstatement, we often overturn lapse-based denials in Tennessee.
What if the insurer says the Tennessee policy was canceled for non-payment?
We examine whether proper notice was given and whether a grace period applied. If procedures weren’t followed, we fight to have the policy enforced.
Can a minor child in Tennessee receive life insurance proceeds?
Yes, but a guardian or trust may be required. We help Tennessee families create the necessary legal protections to ensure the child receives the benefit securely.
Can Tennessee insurers deny claims based on fraud allegations?
Yes, but they must have solid proof. If the denial is based on assumptions or insufficient evidence, we challenge it and demand full payment.
Can I resolve a Tennessee life insurance dispute without going to court?
Yes. Many cases in Tennessee settle outside of court. We negotiate favorable resolutions but are always prepared to litigate if needed.
What if a beneficiary change form was completed but never processed in Tennessee?
Unless the change was finalized, it may not be valid under Tennessee law. We review the facts and pursue legal remedies when the insured’s true intent wasn’t honored.
Are old Tennessee life insurance policies still valid?
Yes, as long as they weren’t canceled or surrendered. We help clients recover benefits from policies that are decades old but still enforceable under Tennessee law.
How do I prove I’m the rightful beneficiary under Tennessee law?
We gather documents, policy records, and supporting evidence to prove your claim. Our Tennessee life insurance attorneys guide you through every step of the process.

2025 Tennessee Denied Life Insurance Claims: settlements & verdicts

In 2025, numerous denied life insurance claims in Tennessee were effectively contested and resolved through strategic legal advocacy, highlighting critical insurer missteps and policy ambiguities:

Bankers Life’s coronavirus-related death denial was overturned, recovering $105,000 by successfully contesting unclear pandemic-related exclusions.
A Tennessee mass shooting-related death claim denial was successfully challenged, securing $43,000 by clarifying ambiguous policy exclusions.
AXA Equitable’s COVID-19 death denial was overturned, recovering $30,000 by highlighting insurer misinterpretation of pandemic coverage.
State Farm’s felony exclusion denial was successfully contested, resulting in a favorable outcome of $57,000 by addressing insurer misapplication of criminal act clauses.
An Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) claim denial was successfully resolved, securing a substantial recovery of $520,000 through litigation clarifying policy ambiguities.
Dearborn Life’s chronically ill exclusion denial was overturned, recovering $44,000 by demonstrating insurer errors in interpreting medical exclusions.
Scotia Life’s intoxication exclusion denial was successfully contested, securing $112,000 by demonstrating alcohol was not the primary cause of death.
CMFG Life’s denial involving Oxycontin was overturned, recovering $66,000 by challenging insurer misinterpretation of drug exclusions.
A significant AD&D claim denial due to alleged intoxication was resolved favorably, securing a $790,000 settlement.
Humana Life’s suicide exclusion denial was successfully contested, recovering $203,000 by clarifying ambiguous policy provisions.
Columbian Mutual’s denial involving life insurance exclusions was overturned, securing $11,000 through litigation.
National Benefit Life’s self-inflicted injury denial was successfully challenged, securing $215,000 by demonstrating accidental circumstances.
AAA’s felony exclusion denial involving a shooting crime was overturned, recovering $102,000 by addressing insurer misinterpretations.
Gleaner Life’s denial citing material misrepresentation was overturned, securing $40,000 by proving the absence of intentional deception.
PHP Life’s beneficiary dispute was successfully resolved, recovering $25,000 through clarification of beneficiary documentation.
Amalgamated Life’s denial involving cancer medical records was contested successfully, securing $109,000 by demonstrating underwriting oversights.
Mutual Savings Life’s oxycodone-related denial was overturned, recovering $56,000 by clarifying policy exclusions.
NTA Life’s denial involving an emergency room visit record was successfully contested, recovering $34,000 by proving insurer administrative mistakes.
OPM Life’s denial due to policy lapse was resolved favorably, recovering $70,000 through litigation highlighting administrative errors.
Foresters Life’s denial for alleged misrepresentation on an application was overturned, securing $217,000 by demonstrating insurer inability to prove fraudulent intent.
American General’s interpleader lawsuit was successfully resolved, recovering $304,500 by clearly establishing rightful beneficiaries.
An SGLI competing beneficiary dispute was favorably resolved, securing a significant $400,000 payout through clarified documentation.
A major Tennessee denied life insurance claim totaling $814,000 was successfully litigated, emphasizing insurer procedural oversights.
An ERISA-governed appeal involving contested outcomes was successfully resolved, recovering $152,000 through strategic advocacy.
Reliance Standard’s beneficiary dispute was successfully contested, securing $274,000 through litigation clarifying beneficiary rights.
Another substantial Tennessee denied life insurance claim amounting to $1,014,000 was successfully resolved through litigation highlighting extensive insurer procedural failures.
Unum’s suicide/self-inflicted injury denial was successfully contested, recovering $311,000 by clarifying policy ambiguities.
AIG’s drug exclusion denial involving methamphetamine was overturned, securing $348,900 by proving accidental death circumstances.
A Tennessee divorce-related life insurance claim denial totaling $623,000 was successfully resolved, clarifying beneficiary rights post-divorce.
State Farm’s denial involving autoerotic asphyxiation death was successfully contested, recovering $128,000 through litigation clarifying policy terms.
A FEGLI policy appeal was successfully resolved, recovering $139,000 by demonstrating insurer procedural mistakes.
A Tennessee bad faith life insurance claim denial was favorably resolved, securing $512,000 through litigation emphasizing insurer misconduct.

Recent Tennessee Cases

1. Death During a Non-Covered Volunteer Activity – “Unapproved Volunteer Work” Exclusion (Case of Everett)

Everett, a 62-year-old retired firefighter, had a $1.2 million life insurance policy. After retirement, he volunteered with an international disaster relief organization. While assisting in a hurricane relief effort, he was fatally injured when a building partially collapsed. His wife, Lena, filed a claim, expecting no issues.

However, the insurer denied the claim, citing an exclusion for “injuries or fatalities resulting from hazardous volunteer work.” They argued that the policy only covered deaths occurring during personal activities or traditional employment but not high-risk volunteer roles.

Lena was devastated and retained a life claim denial law firm. The attorneys reviewed the policy and found that while it excluded certain high-risk activities like warzone volunteering, it did not explicitly define disaster relief as hazardous work.

2. Death in a Foreign-Owned Resort – “Non-Recognized Medical Facilities” Clause (Case of Vivienne)

Vivienne, a 54-year-old nurse, and her husband, Gabriel, took a long-awaited vacation to Thailand. During their stay at a luxury resort, Vivienne suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. She was taken to the nearest medical facility—a small private hospital owned by the resort—but passed away hours later.

When Gabriel filed a claim for her $800,000 policy, the insurer denied it, citing a clause excluding deaths occurring in non-recognized or non-accredited medical facilities. They argued that because the hospital was privately owned and not a government-accredited facility, it did not meet the policy’s conditions for valid medical treatment.

Gabriel was furious, and retained a life claim denial law firm which uncovered a pattern of the insurer wrongfully denying claims related to medical treatment in foreign countries.

3. Death from an Undiagnosed Sleep Disorder – “Lifestyle Non-Disclosure” Denial (Case of Elias)

Elias, a 41-year-old IT specialist, had a $950,000 policy. His wife, Naomi, was devastated when he died in his sleep. A medical examination revealed he had untreated sleep apnea, which caused oxygen deprivation and led to cardiac arrest.

When Naomi filed a claim, the insurer denied it, arguing that Elias had failed to disclose his history of loud snoring, daytime fatigue, and weight-related health risks. They stated that these symptoms indicated a likely sleep disorder, which would have required disclosure on his original application.

Naomi retained a life claim lawyer, who challenged the insurer's reasoning by demonstrating that:

Elias had never been diagnosed with a sleep disorder before his death.
No question on the application specifically asked about snoring or fatigue.
The policy only excluded claims for knowingly undisclosed medical conditions.

4. Death Due to Late-Stage Cancer Diagnosed After Policy Issuance – “Retroactive Pre-Existing Condition” Denial (Case of Colette)

Colette, a 48-year-old real estate agent, had purchased a $1 million life insurance policy. At the time of application, she was in seemingly perfect health.

Two years later, she was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer and tragically passed away a few months later. Her daughter, Avery, filed a claim, but the insurer denied it, stating that the cancer had likely been present before the policy was issued and that Colette had failed to disclose symptoms she may have experienced before diagnosis.

The life insurance law firm launched an appeal and provided:

Medical records confirming no prior diagnosis or treatments.
Testimonies from doctors affirming that pancreatic cancer often shows no early symptoms.
Regulatory complaints citing bad-faith denial practices.

5. Death from a Non-Commercial Boat Accident – “Private Boating Activity” Exclusion (Case of Sebastian)

Sebastian, a 56-year-old architect, had a $2 million policy. A skilled sailor, he frequently took his small personal boat out for weekend trips. One day, during a solo excursion, his boat capsized in a sudden storm, and he drowned.

When his wife, Eliana, filed a claim, the insurer denied it, citing a policy clause that excluded deaths resulting from private boating activities outside of supervised or commercial operations. They claimed the risk was similar to “hazardous recreational activities,” which were excluded under the policy.

Eliana retained life insurance attorneys who argued that: The exclusion applied only to high-risk activities like competitive racing or deep-sea expeditions—not ordinary boating.

6. Death After a Major Home Renovation – “Environmental Hazard Exposure” Denial (Case of Tobias)

Tobias, a 60-year-old retired engineer, was remodeling his home when he suffered respiratory failure due to exposure to toxic mold that had been disturbed during renovations. He passed away shortly after.

His son, Julian, filed a claim under Tobias’s $1.5 million policy, but the insurer denied it, citing a clause excluding deaths caused by environmental hazards linked to personal property improvements.

The life denial claims firm argued that:

The policy did not explicitly exclude all home-related deaths—only intentional exposure.
The insurer had a pattern of unfairly using environmental exclusions to deny claims.

After legal proceedings, Julian won the case, and the insurer paid the full policy amount.

For more information on insurance regulations and consumer protections in Tennessee, you can visit the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. Additionally, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) offers nationwide insurance resources.