We are pleased to announce the successful resolution of a $30,000 denied Senior Life insurance claim. The case, like many others we’ve handled, was denied on the basis of alleged misrepresentation discovered during the policy’s contestability period. At LifeInsuranceAttorney.com, our life insurance lawyers fight these unjust denials whether from Senior Life, SGLI, VGLI, Globe Life, Corebridge Financial, or other major providers.
Life insurance is built on trust and full disclosure. But even a minor oversight, misunderstanding, or undiagnosed medical issue can be used by insurers as justification to deny a legitimate claim. Our legal team is experienced in exposing the flaws in these denials and securing payouts for grieving families.
Understanding the Contestability Period and Its Role in Denied Claims
Most life insurance policies include a two-year contestability period, which gives insurers the legal right to closely examine the application if the insured dies within the first two years. If any inaccuracies or omissions are found in the application, the insurer may:
Deny the claim entirely
Retroactively increase premiums
Reduce the death benefit
Cancel the policy on grounds of misrepresentation or fraud
The contestability clause was designed to deter insurance fraud. Unfortunately, it’s frequently misused by insurers who use vague or incomplete information to justify withholding benefits. Our law firm routinely fights these denials and has a strong track record of success against companies like Aetna Life, Cigna Group, Shelter Life, Liberty National, and AAA Life.
Real Denied Claim Examples—and How We Fought Back
In one of our resolved cases, a 60-year-old man applied for a $500,000 life insurance policy. On his application, he stated that he had no known heart disease or genetic disorders. He was approved at a standard rate. Two years later, he passed away suddenly from cardiac arrest. During the investigation, the insurer reviewed his full medical history and discovered that he had been previously diagnosed with Fabry disease, a rare inherited condition known to cause cardiac complications. His doctor had documented the diagnosis and warned of future heart-related risks. Because he failed to mention this diagnosis, the insurer denied the claim for material misrepresentation. We challenged their conclusion, highlighting the policy language and medical records, and secured a favorable settlement for the beneficiary.
In another case, a woman in her 40s was undergoing extensive evaluation for chronic pain and mobility issues when she applied for life insurance. Her condition had not yet been diagnosed, and she did not believe it was significant. Tragically, she died one year later due to respiratory failure caused by Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS)—a rare neurological disorder. The insurer denied the claim, citing medical records that showed she had been seeing specialists long before the application. Although there was no formal diagnosis at the time, the insurer alleged she had concealed a serious condition. Our team presented expert medical opinions and timelines showing she did not knowingly misrepresent her health, leading to a successful resolution.
In yet another case, a man in his early 30s omitted a lifelong diagnosis of moderate hemophilia A from his application. He had been managing the condition since childhood and believed it was under control. When he died after a fall that led to internal bleeding, the insurer launched a full investigation and uncovered his long-term use of clotting factor VIII therapy. They denied the claim, labeling it as fraud. Our legal team argued that his condition was well-managed, the omission was not intended to deceive, and the cause of death trauma could not have been anticipated. We ultimately forced a settlement from the insurer. We’ve taken on similar denials from companies like Country Life, Delaware Life, Prudential Life, Forethought Life, and many others.
How Our Law Firm Challenges Contestability-Based Denials
Insurers often overstep when invoking the contestability clause. Here’s how we fight back:
Policy Review: We scrutinize the application, policy language, and all documentation to determine whether the omission truly violated any terms.
Medical Evidence: We work with medical experts to assess whether the condition was material to underwriting or even diagnosable at the time of application.
Intent Matters: We demonstrate that the applicant did not intend to mislead and may have been unaware of certain conditions or misunderstood how to report them.
Causation Defense: We argue that the condition in question was unrelated to the cause of death, making the alleged misrepresentation irrelevant.
Legal Briefing: When necessary, we prepare a comprehensive appeal supported by precedent and legal reasoning.
Our firm also handles interpleader lawsuits and beneficiary disputes in cases involving complex policyholder situations, blended families, or ex-spouses. If you need a beneficiary dispute attorney in Nevada call us.
FAQ About Denied Life Insurance Claims During the Contestability Period
What is a contestability clause in life insurance?
It’s a two-year period after the policy begins during which the insurer can investigate and deny a claim if they find misrepresentation in the original application.
What qualifies as material misrepresentation?
Any false statement or omission that could have influenced the insurer’s decision to issue the policy or determine the rate. Even minor conditions can be considered material by insurers.
Can a claim be denied if the insured was undiagnosed at the time?
Insurers may try, but we challenge those denials. If there was no formal diagnosis, we argue that the insured couldn’t have disclosed something they didn’t know.
Does it matter if the cause of death is unrelated to the omission?
Yes. If the undisclosed condition had nothing to do with the death, the denial may be invalid. We use this as a key defense strategy.
Is every misstatement considered fraud?
No. Fraud requires intent. Many denials are based on honest mistakes or misunderstandings, which are not legally sufficient grounds for denial.
Can I still fight the denial if it’s past two years?
Yes, especially if the insurer is misapplying the contestability clause or claiming fraud. We evaluate all factors, including when the denial occurred.
Do you handle denials from military life insurance providers?
Yes. We represent clients with policies from SGLI, VGLI, and Navy Mutual, including disputes involving active-duty and retired service members.
What if the application questions were vague?
We challenge unclear or confusing application language. Insurers must provide fair and unambiguous questions.
How long does a contestability investigation take?
It varies, but insurers often delay payment for months. Our team intervenes early to push for resolution and prevent unnecessary delays.
Do you only handle claims over a certain amount?
No. We handle denied claims of all sizes from $10,000 to $1 million+. Every case matters, and every beneficiary deserves justice.