Texas Life Insurance Lawyer

Life Insurance Lawyers Serving All 254 Texas Counties

Christian Lassen, Esq. | 25 Years Experience | Hundreds of Millions Recovered

If your life insurance claim was denied in Texas, you're not alone and you're not without options. At The Lassen Law Firm, we focus exclusively on life insurance litigation and have helped families throughout Texas recover millions in wrongfully denied death benefits. Whether your case involves a policy lapse, misrepresentation allegation, or a contested beneficiary change, we have the experience to challenge the denial and pursue the full payout.

Led by nationally recognized life insurance attorney Christian Lassen, quoted by The Wall Street Journal and rated 10.0 by AVVO, our firm serves clients in every region of Texas. We handle denied life insurance claims in all 254 counties, and we never charge a fee unless we recover for you.

Denied Life Insurance Claim in Texas? You’re Not Alone.

In Texas, families often struggle when a life insurance company wrongfully refuses to pay out after the loss of a loved one. If you're dealing with a denied life insurance claim in Texas, The Lassen Law Firm is ready to take on the insurer and fight for the benefits you deserve.

Life insurance beneficiary disputes in Texas often arise from outdated designations, sudden changes made under pressure, or conflicts between surviving family members. If you're involved in a life insurance beneficiary dispute in Texas, The Lassen Law Firm can help you assert your claim and work to recover the benefits intended for you.

When multiple parties claim the same life insurance benefits in Texas, insurers commonly file an interpleader lawsuit in Texas to transfer the decision to the court and avoid the risk of paying the wrong person.

Navigating life insurance claims in Texas can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with denied benefits or bad faith insurance practices. At The Lassen Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping individuals and families across the Lone Star State secure the payouts they deserve. We provide trusted legal expertise and personalized support tailored to your needs.

As nationally recognized life insurance attorneys, we’ve handled cases across all 50 states, with a proven track record of success, hundreds of millions in policies recovered for our clients. At The Lassen Law Firm, we combine unmatched dedication, legal expertise, and relentless advocacy to deliver justice for those we represent. 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 25 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.

Life Insurance Claim Denied in Texas? Our Attorneys Are Ready to Fight for You

Life insurance provides a critical financial safety net for families during difficult times. But in Texas, many beneficiaries face unfair claim denials, unexplained delays, or low settlement offers when trying to collect the benefits they are rightfully owed. If your life insurance claim has been denied, our Texas life insurance attorneys are prepared to stand up for your rights and demand full payment. When an insurer denies an accidental death benefit in Texas, we step in to challenge the denial and fight for the full payout on your behalf.

Insurance companies in Texas are legally required to handle claims fairly and in good faith. When they violate those obligations, you have the right to challenge the denial, and in some cases, seek additional compensation for bad faith conduct. We offer free consultations, and you do not pay legal fees unless we recover benefits for you.

Understanding the Contestability Period in Texas Life Insurance Claims

Most life insurance policies issued in Texas include a two-year contestability period. During this time, insurers may deny claims if they uncover material misrepresentations made in the initial application. After two years have passed, insurers generally cannot rescind the policy based on application issues unless they can prove fraud.

Importantly, Texas law requires that only material misstatements, inaccuracies that would have influenced the insurer’s decision to issue or price the policy, justify rescission. Innocent mistakes, minor oversights, or irrelevant omissions do not provide valid grounds for denial after death.

If your claim has been denied on contestability grounds, it is crucial to have an experienced Texas life insurance lawyer review the circumstances and protect your rights.

Common Reasons Life Insurance Claims Are Denied in Texas

Insurance companies often rely on recurring arguments when denying life insurance claims. In Texas, common denial reasons include:

Alleged Application Misrepresentation

Claims that the insured failed to disclose important health issues, tobacco use, or participation in dangerous activities.

Policy Lapse for Nonpayment

In Texas, insurers commonly deny claims by alleging a lapse, but the insurance policy lapse dispute is frequently rooted in mishandled billing or improper notification.

Exclusions for Specific Causes of Death

Deaths involving suicide (within an exclusion period), illegal acts, or hazardous hobbies may be excluded under the policy.

Contesting a life insurance beneficiary

Conflicts among beneficiaries, challenges to last-minute changes, or disputes over community property issues can delay payment.

Employer Errors in Group Life Insurance

Mistakes during enrollment or plan administration can wrongfully deprive families of coverage.

Delays Related to Death Investigations

Insurers sometimes delay paying claims under the pretext of ongoing investigations, but Texas law prohibits unreasonable delays.

Even if an insurer provides a detailed denial letter, many denials are legally vulnerable and can be successfully challenged.

What to Do After a Life Insurance Denial in Texas

If you receive a life insurance denial, acting quickly and strategically can protect your rights. Steps to take include:

• Request and review a complete copy of the insurance policy, including the application and all riders.
• Save the denial letter and document the insurer’s stated reasons.
• Keep all communications with the insurer, including emails, letters, and call notes.
• Avoid making new statements or providing additional documents without legal advice.
• Contact a Texas life insurance attorney promptly to evaluate your claim and begin building a strategy for appeal or litigation.

Texas law provides strong remedies for beneficiaries, including the potential for additional damages if the insurer engaged in bad faith.

How Our Texas Life Insurance Attorneys Handle Denied Claims

When you hire our firm, you gain a team committed to enforcing the rights of life insurance beneficiaries. We will:

• Review your insurance policy, application documents, and the insurer’s denial explanation in full.
• Identify any legal violations, misinterpretations, or unfair claims practices.
• Challenge wrongful contestability rescissions, lapse defenses, and policy exclusions.
• Manage all communication and negotiation with the insurance company on your behalf.
• Prepare administrative appeals if necessary for employer-provided group life insurance governed by ERISA.
• File lawsuits in Texas courts when insurers refuse to pay valid claims.
• Pursue additional damages for bad faith conduct if the insurer’s actions violate Texas law.

Our mission is to recover the full life insurance benefits you deserve and to hold insurers accountable when they break the law.

Federal life insurance benefits under FEGLI and SGLI are sometimes denied due to missing forms, administrative confusion, or agency error. We help Texas families recover denied Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance claims and assist with Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance claim denials following the loss of a loved one.

Employer-provided life insurance policies are often controlled by ERISA, which imposes strict standards for how claims must be handled. Our firm represents Texas clients in rejected ERISA life insurance claims and works to enforce their rights under federal law.

Texas Denied Life Insurance Claims: Answers to Common Questions

What Should I Do If My Life Insurance Claim in Texas Was Denied?

If your life insurance claim in Texas was denied, don’t wait. A Texas life insurance lawyer can evaluate the reason for denial and build a strategy to recover the benefit. For instance, we recently helped a client in Houston overturn a denial caused by an alleged minor misstatement.

What If I’ve Been Served With a Life Insurance Interpleader Lawsuit in Texas?

Being served with an interpleader in Texas means the insurer wants the court to decide who gets paid. We defended a Dallas beneficiary in an interpleader where an ex-spouse made a competing claim.

How Do I Resolve a Life Insurance Beneficiary Dispute in Texas?

Our Texas life insurance firm handles beneficiary disputes involving current spouses, ex-spouses, and children. In Austin, we successfully resolved a dispute involving conflicting beneficiary designations.

Why Would a Texas Accidental Death & Dismemberment Life Insurance Claim Be Denied?

Insurers often claim the death was due to illness or alcohol, not an accident. We recently fought a wrongful AD&D denial in San Antonio where a car crash was incorrectly labeled as natural causes.

Can a Life Insurance Policy Lapse Cause a Denial in Texas?

Yes, but Texas insurers must follow strict notice procedures. In Waco, we reversed a lapse-based denial by proving the company failed to send the required warning.

Can Alleged Misrepresentation on an Application Lead to Denial in Texas?

Yes, but only if it was material and intentional. In Corpus Christi, we overturned a denial based on an unrelated past surgery that didn’t impact the cause of death.

Can an Alcohol Exclusion Be Used to Deny a Texas Life Insurance Claim?

Yes, but only if alcohol directly caused the death. We recently won a case in El Paso where the insurer couldn’t prove intoxication played a role in the accident.

What Should I Do About a Denied ERISA Life Insurance Claim in Texas?

You must act fast. ERISA allows just one administrative appeal. We successfully appealed an ERISA claim for a Fort Worth widow by building a detailed evidentiary record.

What Do I Do If My Claim Was Denied During the Contestability Period in Texas?

Even within two years, the insurer must prove the misstatement mattered. In Lubbock, we challenged a contestability denial based on a minor income misstatement.

What If I Received a Denial Letter Citing Texas State Law?

Insurers often misinterpret Texas insurance law. We recently reversed a denial in Beaumont where the insurer wrongly cited Texas contestability rules.

Which Texas Life Insurance Companies Are Known for Denying Claims?

Texas Life Insurance Company and Texas Legacy Insurance have faced numerous disputes. We pursue claims against all insurers statewide, big and small.

Does Texas Revoke Ex-Spouse Beneficiary Rights After Divorce?

Yes. Unless reaffirmed, divorce automatically revokes an ex-spouse's rights in Texas. We protected a surviving spouse’s claim in a Tyler case where an ex tried to collect.

Is Texas a Community Property State, and How Does That Impact Life Insurance?

Yes. If premiums were paid with community funds, a surviving spouse may have rights even if not named. We handle these complex claims across Texas.

Can a Texas Will Override a Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation?

No. The policy controls. In Midland, we protected a daughter's beneficiary claim despite a conflicting will favoring the decedent’s new spouse.

How Much Does a Texas Life Insurance Attorney Charge?

We work on a contingency basis. You pay nothing unless we recover money for you.

Can a Life Insurance Claim in Texas Be Denied for a Death Abroad?

Yes, but exclusions must be clear. We successfully fought a denial in McAllen where a vague foreign death exclusion was improperly cited.

Can a Beneficiary Change Made Shortly Before Death Be Challenged in Texas?

Yes. Suspicious last-minute changes are often contested. We challenged a sudden beneficiary change in Plano and restored the original designation.

What If My Texas Life Insurance Claim Is Being Delayed With No Resolution?

Delays without cause can amount to bad faith under Texas law. We recently secured additional compensation for a delayed claim in Brownsville.

Can a Texas AD&D Claim Be Denied by Calling the Death “Natural Causes”?

Yes, but we often reverse these tactics. We won an AD&D case in Sugar Land by proving the death was accidental, not natural.

What If a Texas Insurance Agent Made an Error on the Application?

If the agent made the mistake, the insurer may still be liable. We successfully disputed a denial in Abilene based on an agent's error in recording medical history.

What Qualifies as Bad Faith in a Texas Life Insurance Denial?

Bad faith includes unjustified denials, misrepresentations, and failing to investigate. We pursue damages beyond the original death benefit when insurers act in bad faith.

Can I Appeal a Life Insurance Denial in Texas During the Contestability Period?

Yes. We often overturn contestability period denials when the alleged misstatements are irrelevant to the insured’s death.

Are ERISA Group Life Insurance Claims Harder to Win in Texas?

Yes, but we have deep experience. We prepare strong ERISA appeals and litigate in federal court when necessary.

What If No Beneficiary Was Listed on the Texas Life Insurance Policy?

If no beneficiary is named, the proceeds typically pass to the estate. We help Texas families navigate probate to recover the benefit.

Can a Suspicious Beneficiary Change Be Disputed in Texas?

Absolutely. We challenged a suspicious change in Amarillo and restored the intended beneficiary designation.

Are Texas Insurers Required to Provide Notice Before Canceling a Policy?

Yes. Proper notice is essential. We reinstated a lapsed policy in Laredo by proving the insurer skipped critical notice requirements.

How Are Union and Group Life Insurance Policies Handled in Texas?

Many fall under ERISA. We review plan documents and challenge wrongful denials based on administrative mistakes.

Can Multiple People Claim the Same Life Insurance Policy in Texas?

Yes. When disputes arise, insurers often file interpleaders. We represent clients in these Texas interpleader actions to secure their rightful share.

What If the Insured Was Missing Before Being Declared Dead in Texas?

Once a court declares legal death, the claim can proceed. We help families with both the legal and insurance steps involved.

How Long Do I Have to Appeal a Denied Life Insurance Claim in Texas?

Most ERISA appeals must be filed within 180 days. State-governed policy appeals may vary, but acting quickly is crucial.

Can a Verbal Promise Override a Written Life Insurance Policy in Texas?

No, written designations control. However, in cases involving fraud, we sometimes pursue equitable remedies.

Are Life Insurance Proceeds Safe From Creditors in Texas?

Yes, if a living beneficiary is named. If the estate receives the proceeds, creditors may access the funds.

Can Vague Policy Wording Lead to a Denial in Texas?

Yes, but Texas law requires ambiguous policy language to be interpreted in favor of the insured or beneficiary.

Can a Lapsed Life Insurance Policy Still Be Enforced in Texas?

Yes. If the insurer didn’t comply with notice or grace period rules, we may overturn the lapse and recover benefits.

What If My Life Insurance Claim Was Denied for Non-Payment in Texas?

We check whether the insurer followed Texas law. In many cases, non-payment denials are successfully challenged.

Can a Child Receive Life Insurance Benefits in Texas?

Yes, but a court-appointed guardian or trust is usually needed to manage the funds until adulthood.

Can a Texas Claim Be Denied for Alleged Fraud?

Only if proven. We routinely challenge weak fraud accusations and secure benefits for rightful claimants.

Can a Texas Life Insurance Dispute Be Resolved Without Going to Court?

Yes. Many cases are resolved through negotiation, but we are fully prepared for litigation if needed.

What Happens If a New Beneficiary Form Was Filled Out but Never Submitted in Texas?

If the change wasn’t processed, it may not be valid. We investigate and advocate for the insured’s true intent.

Are Older Life Insurance Policies Still Valid in Texas?

Yes. As long as the policy was in force when the insured died, even decades-old policies remain enforceable.

How Do I Prove I’m the Rightful Life Insurance Beneficiary in Texas?

We compile all relevant documents, witness statements, and policy records to present a strong case and secure your rightful benefit.

Navigating Life Insurance Disputes Across Texas

Texas life insurance claims are often denied for reasons that may not hold up under legal scrutiny. In cities like Houston, Dallas, and Austin, we’ve handled cases where insurers claimed material misrepresentations about medical history, yet failed to investigate during the contestability period. In other cases, we’ve seen denials tied to accusations of alcohol use or high-risk hobbies that were never clearly defined in the policy. These vague or unfair interpretations are all too common and can be challenged.

Because Texas is a community property state, disputes often arise when a spouse is not named as a beneficiary. We've seen life insurance proceeds contested in San Antonio and Fort Worth when the listed beneficiary was someone other than the surviving spouse. While beneficiary designations generally control, community property laws may give surviving spouses a legal claim to part of the benefit. Our firm understands how to litigate these complex entitlement issues under Texas law.

We’ve also represented clients in interpleader lawsuits filed in the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas. These federal cases typically involve multiple people claiming the same benefit, such as a current spouse and an ex-spouse, or allegations of fraud in the policy change process. One case out of El Paso involved a disputed beneficiary change made just days before the insured’s death, triggering both a legal and factual battle that required aggressive legal representation.

No matter where you are in Texas, from Lubbock to Corpus Christi, our firm focuses exclusively on denied and delayed life insurance claims. We have recovered benefits for families who were initially told they had no case. If your claim has been unfairly denied, we can step in and take immediate legal action to fight for the payout your family deserves.

Contact us today for a free consultation.

Written & Reviewed by Christian Lassen, Esq., Nationally recognized life insurance lawyer: 25 years experience, hundreds of millions recovered.  Quoted in The Wall Street Journal ( May 17, 2025).

Last reviewed: June 14, 2025 | Contact 800-330-2274