Life Insurance Lawyer Wisconsin

"Life Insurance Lawyers Serving Wisconsin: The Lassen Law Firm" Life insurance claims in Wisconsin can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with denied benefits or bad faith insurance practices. At The Lassen Law Firm, we are dedicated to assisting individuals and families across the Badger State recover the payouts they deserve. Whether you’re in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Kenosha, or any other part of Wisconsin, we provide expert legal representation and personalized support.

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

Many policyholders or their beneficiaries face denied life insurance claims due to various reasons, often causing financial distress and emotional turmoil. Understanding the common reasons for claim denials and the legal recourse available can help individuals navigate these challenging situations effectively.

One of the most common reasons for denied life insurance claims is material misrepresentation on the application. When an applicant provides inaccurate or misleading information—whether intentionally or unintentionally—it can lead to claim rejection. Insurers like Aetna, Liberty Mutual, and American Equity conduct thorough misrepresentation investigations, reviewing the policyholder’s disclosures regarding health, lifestyle, and income. If they discover that the insured inflated income, omitted hospitalization records, or failed to disclose chronic illness, the claim may be denied on the grounds of policyholder negligence.

Policy lapse due to non-payment of premiums is another frequent reason for claim denial. Life insurance policies from companies such as Federated, Lincoln Financial, and AAA require timely premium payments, and failure to do so can result in policy termination. While most policies offer a premium grace period, typically 30 or 60 days, failure to make the payment within this timeframe leads to coverage loss. If the insured passes away after the grace period has expired, beneficiaries may face a denied claim litigation, as the policy was no longer in force.

The contestability period, usually lasting two years from the policy’s inception, allows insurers like Transamerica and Prudential to scrutinize claims closely. During this time, the insurer can investigate and deny claims if they find discrepancies in the application. A fraudulent application—such as concealing a pre-existing medical condition, misrepresenting lifestyle factors, or failing to disclose participation in high-risk activities—can lead to claim rejection even if the cause of death is unrelated to the undisclosed information.

Certain policy exclusions can also result in death benefit denial. For instance, Globe, Athene, and Erie often include a suicide exclusion clause that applies within the first two years of the policy, meaning that if the policyholder dies by suicide within this period, the insurer may deny the claim. Similarly, exclusionary clauses may deny benefits for deaths resulting from specific causes such as drug overdoses, extreme sports, or acts of war.

In cases where the policyholder dies in a foreign country, insurers like Corebridge and Foresters may delay or deny claims due to complications in verifying the circumstances of death. Death cause investigation becomes more challenging when local authorities provide incomplete documentation or if the death occurs under suspicious conditions. Some policies may include restrictions on deaths occurring outside the insured’s home country, leading to claim disputes.

Beneficiary disputes often complicate the claim process. Issues such as sudden beneficiary changes, disputes over policyholder consent, or cases where multiple parties claim the benefit can result in delayed claims or reduced payouts. Legal representation is often necessary to resolve these conflicts, especially when allegations of undue influence or fraudulent beneficiary changes arise, as seen in cases involving insurers like Reliance Standard and TIAA.

Another common reason for denied claims is incomplete documentation. Insurers such as Dearborn and New York Life require specific paperwork, including death certificates, medical records, and policyholder obligations such as proof of continued premium payments. If beneficiaries fail to provide the necessary documents or miss statutory deadlines for claim submissions, insurers may reject the claim altogether.

The accidental death clause provides additional coverage for deaths resulting from unforeseen accidents. However, insurers like Jackson Life, AXA, and Boston Mutual may dispute whether a death qualifies under this clause. If a policyholder had a pre-existing medical condition that contributed to an accidental death, insurers might deny or reduce the payout. Similarly, if an investigation suggests that the policyholder engaged in misleading statements about health or lifestyle, the claim may face rejection.

When a claim is denied, beneficiaries have the right to initiate the claim appeal process. This involves gathering evidence, submitting a legal brief, and providing documentation that supports the validity of the claim. Beneficiaries may also seek legal assistance if they suspect insurance bad faith from insurers like Guardian, National Western, and Progressive, where the insurer unreasonably delays or denies a legitimate claim. Filing a claim refile or pursuing denied claim litigation may be necessary if the insurer fails to act in good faith.

Insurance fraud detection plays a significant role in claim evaluations. If the insurer suspects fraudulent activity—such as falsified medical history, omitted hospitalization, or inconsistencies in the prescription database—the claim may be denied outright. Companies like Banner, Kansas City, and Shelter Life have stringent fraud detection protocols in place. Policyholders and beneficiaries must be aware of the importance of full disclosure and transparency when dealing with insurers.

Coverage disputes are another common issue in denied life insurance claims. Disagreements between insurers and beneficiaries over policy terms, exclusionary clauses, or interpretations of the policyholder’s obligations often require legal intervention. Seeking legal representation ensures that beneficiaries can challenge unjust denials and fight for the rightful payout from insurers such as Brighthouse Financial, Americo, and Amica.

Other well-known insurers, including Genworth, Colonial Penn, Liberty National, Hartford Life, Northwestern Mutual, Bestow, Chubb, Great-West, Unum, Philadelphia American, Knights of Columbus, Trustmark, EMC National, American Fidelity, Trustage, Anthem, VOYA, Securian, Mass Mutual, Farmers, State Farm, Mutual of Omaha, Ohio National, Navy Federal, North American, CMFG, Pekin, Ameritas, The Hartford, American Income Life, Lincoln Benefit, Equitrust, Physicians Mutual, Forethought, Haven, AARP, Ladder, RiverSource, Gerber, Western & Southern, William Penn, Humana, Phoenix, Geico, American Family, Protective, Liberty Bankers, Assurant, Integrity, American Memorial, Nassau RE, AFLAC, Wilton RE, First Colony, CUNA Mutual, Allianz, Symetra, Mutual Savings, Baltimore Life, and State Life, have also faced denied claims and legal challenges related to policy exclusions, delayed claims, and coverage disputes.