Most people don’t know their life insurance policy might contain a clause that allows the company to deny a claim if the insured died while “under the influence.” These clauses are usually buried in fine print and never explained at the time of purchase. They’re intentionally vague and designed to be used against grieving families at the worst possible moment.
The typical language? Something like: “No benefits shall be paid for death resulting from the insured being intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol.” Sounds simple. But what qualifies as intoxicated? Who decides whether alcohol caused the death? Insurers exploit this ambiguity to justify denials that are not only unfair—but legally questionable.
Real Cases Where Insurers Played Dirty
We handled a case where a woman’s husband died in a fall at a cabin in Maine. Toxicology showed he had two drinks earlier in the evening—far below the legal limit. The death was ruled accidental, and there was no indication alcohol played a role. Still, the life insurer denied the claim, citing the alcohol exclusion. We took them to court, exposed the flimsy basis for the denial, and forced a full payout.
In another case, a man in Georgia drowned while fishing. The autopsy found trace amounts of alcohol in his system. The insurer pounced, denying the claim on the basis that he was “under the influence.” There was zero evidence alcohol caused the drowning. It didn’t matter. The insurer thought the family wouldn’t fight back. They were wrong. If you need legal help for life insurance disputes in Indiana call today.
The Legal Standard: Causation Is Key
Under the law, insurers must prove that alcohol directly caused the death—not just that it was present. That’s a high bar. A blood alcohol reading isn’t enough. They need clear, causal connection. And when they don’t have it, these denials can be overturned. That’s where we come in.
We examine every piece of evidence: autopsy results, scene reports, witness statements, coroner conclusions. If the insurer’s claim doesn’t hold water, we expose it—and force their hand.
Why Insurers Use Alcohol Exclusions So Aggressively
Let’s be blunt: It’s about money. Denying claims saves insurers billions. Alcohol exclusions are an easy out because they sound legitimate on the surface. Insurers count on your shock, your grief, and your confusion. They hope you won’t read the policy closely. They hope you’ll accept the denial. But you don’t have to.
These companies use vague policy language as a weapon. They rely on beneficiaries not knowing their rights. We’ve seen it again and again—and we fight it every day.
What to Do If Your Life Insurance Claim Was Denied for Alcohol Use
Get the full policy and denial letter – Insist on the complete document, including all exclusions and riders.
Review the language – Look for terms like “intoxicated” or “under the influence.”
Gather evidence – Autopsy reports, police records, and witness statements may contradict the insurer’s assumptions.
Call us – We specialize in overturning denied life insurance claims. No fees unless we win.
We don’t let insurance companies twist facts to avoid paying what they owe. If your claim was denied due to alleged alcohol involvement, we can challenge it—aggressively and effectively.