Alabama Life Insurance Lawyer

Life Insurance Lawyers Serving All 67 Alabama Counties

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

If your life insurance claim was denied in Alabama, you're not alone and you're not out of options. At The Lassen Law Firm, we focus exclusively on life insurance litigation and have helped families throughout Alabama 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 Alabama. We handle denied life insurance claims in all 67 counties, and we never charge a fee unless we recover for you.

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

Life insurance companies wrongfully deny claims every day, leaving families struggling during one of the hardest times in their lives. If you have a denied life insurance claim in Alabama, The Lassen Law Firm is ready to help you fight back and recover the benefits to which you’re entitled.

In Alabama, life insurance beneficiary disputes can occur when there are last-minute changes to a policy, conflicting claims, or questions about legal entitlement. If you’re involved in a life insurance beneficiary dispute in Alabama, The Lassen Law Firm is ready to represent your interests and fight for the benefits you’re entitled to.

In Alabama, insurers often respond to contested beneficiary claims by filing an interpleader action in Alabama, asking the court to decide who should receive the life insurance proceeds.

When it comes to life insurance claims, navigating the legal landscape can be overwhelming, especially in Alabama. That’s where The Lassen Law Firm steps in. As dedicated life insurance attorneys serving clients across all 50 states, we’ve built a reputation for securing justice and results. With hundreds of millions in policies recovered, we fight tirelessly to ensure our clients receive the benefits they deserve.

We represent life insurance beneficiaries across Alabama and handle denied claims statewide with precision, experience, and results.. Our team understands the intricacies of life insurance law, from denied claims to bad faith insurance practices. At The Lassen Law Firm, you’re not just another case, you’re our priority. 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.

Alabama Denied Life Insurance Claim? We Can Help

If you are facing a denied life insurance claim in Alabama, you are not alone. Insurance companies deny claims more often than most people realize, sometimes for reasons that are unfair or even unlawful. Our Alabama life insurance attorneys are here to guide you through this challenging time and fight for the benefits you deserve. Whether your denial stems from an alleged misrepresentation, policy lapse, or a disputed beneficiary designation, we have the experience to help you recover what is rightfully yours.

Life insurance should provide peace of mind. When insurers act in bad faith or delay paying claims, they betray the trust of policyholders and their families. If you received a denial letter or your claim is being delayed without explanation, it is critical to seek experienced legal help right away. If you're facing a denied accidental death insurance claim in Alabama, legal guidance can make all the difference.

Common Reasons Life Insurance Claims Are Denied in Alabama

Insurance companies rely on a range of reasons to justify denying life insurance claims in Alabama. Some of the most frequent issues we see include:

Application Misrepresentation

If the insured person omitted or misstated information about their medical history, lifestyle, or employment status, the insurer might claim the policy is invalid.

Nonpayment of Premiums

Insurers often assert that a policy lapsed due to unpaid premiums, but many denied claims stem from misapplied payments or incorrect notices tied to a lapsed life insurance policy.

Contestability Period Investigations

If the insured passes away within the first two years of the policy, insurers often scrutinize the application for any possible grounds to rescind the policy.

Policy Exclusions

Deaths resulting from suicide, dangerous activities like skydiving, or involvement in criminal activity may be excluded from coverage.

Beneficiary Disputes

When multiple individuals claim the right to life insurance proceeds or allege fraud in beneficiary changes, insurers may delay or deny payment pending litigation.

Employer Errors in Group Life Insurance

With group coverage, employers sometimes fail to enroll employees correctly or mishandle premium deductions, leading to wrongful denials.

Suspicious Death Investigations

When a death is considered suspicious or involves a homicide, insurers may delay claims significantly while they await the outcome of law enforcement investigations.

Regardless of the insurer’s stated reason for denial, you should never accept it at face value without first consulting a skilled life insurance attorney.

Understanding the Alabama Life Insurance Contestability Period

Most life insurance policies issued in Alabama include a two-year contestability period. During this time, the insurer can investigate and deny claims if they discover material misrepresentations in the application process. After the two-year mark passes, however, the insurer generally loses the ability to rescind coverage except in cases of fraud.

Even during the contestability period, insurers cannot simply deny a claim over trivial or unrelated mistakes. Alabama law requires that a misstatement must be material, meaning it must have influenced the insurer’s decision to issue the policy, to justify rescission.

If your claim is denied based on a contestability investigation, a knowledgeable Alabama life insurance lawyer can help you challenge the denial and assert your rights.

What to Do After a Life Insurance Claim Denial in Alabama

If you receive notice that a life insurance claim has been denied, it’s important to act quickly and strategically:

• Review the denial letter carefully to understand the stated reason for denial.
• Obtain a full copy of the insurance policy and any application materials.
• Preserve all correspondence between you and the insurance company.
• Avoid making additional statements to the insurer without first consulting an attorney.
• Contact an experienced life insurance attorney in Alabama for a free review of your case.

The sooner you act, the better your chances of overturning a wrongful denial and recovering the benefits you are entitled to.

How Our Alabama Life Insurance Attorneys Can Assist You

We specialize in helping beneficiaries navigate complex life insurance disputes and fight back against wrongful denials. Our Alabama life insurance attorneys can assist you by:

• Conducting a comprehensive review of the policy, application, and denial letter.
• Gathering evidence to refute the insurer’s reasons for denial.
• Filing administrative appeals where required under ERISA (for employer-provided group policies).
• Negotiating directly with insurers to reach favorable settlements.
• Filing lawsuits in Alabama courts when necessary to compel payment.
• Pursuing bad faith damages if the insurer acted unfairly or unlawfully.

Our goal is simple: to recover every dollar you are entitled to as quickly and efficiently as possible. We understand the emotional and financial strain a denied life insurance claim can cause, and we are committed to guiding you every step of the way.

We frequently assist Alabama families who are facing denied claims under federal life insurance programs. If your loved one was a federal employee, a denied FEGLI life insurance claim may require specialized legal support. Similarly, if the policy was issued through the military, we can help you challenge a denied SGLI claim and pursue the benefits you're rightfully owed.

If the life insurance was obtained through a private employer, your case may be governed by ERISA, a complex federal law that controls most workplace benefits. Our Alabama life insurance attorneys routinely handle denied ERISA life insurance claims and can guide you through the appeal process to maximize your chance of success.

Answers to Common Questions About Life Insurance Denials in Alabama

What should I do if my life insurance claim was denied in Alabama?

You should speak with an attorney immediately. In Birmingham, we helped a widow recover $312,000 after the insurer claimed the policy had lapsed. We proved proper notices were never sent, and the denial was reversed.

Can I challenge a sudden beneficiary change made shortly before death?

Yes. In Montgomery, we overturned a last-minute change that gave the policy to a caretaker. The court found the insured was mentally impaired and restored our client’s right to the $220,000 payout.

Does Alabama automatically revoke an ex-spouse's beneficiary rights after divorce?

Yes. Alabama law removes an ex-spouse as a beneficiary unless reaffirmed post-divorce. In Huntsville, we blocked an ex-husband's attempt to claim the benefit after divorce and redirected $145,000 to the decedent’s children.

Can I still recover benefits if the insurer says the policy lapsed for nonpayment?

Often, yes. In Mobile, a teacher’s policy was canceled after a missed payment, but the insurer failed to send a proper grace period notice. We got the policy reinstated and secured the full benefit.

What if the insurer says the death wasn’t accidental in an AD&D claim?

We fight that tactic frequently. In Tuscaloosa, an insurer denied a $305,000 claim by calling a fall "natural causes." Our medical expert proved otherwise, and the payout was issued in full.

What happens if the insured died overseas?

Unless excluded, foreign deaths are covered. In Hoover, we secured $198,000 for a family after the insurer denied the claim due to a death in Mexico, despite no such exclusion in the policy.

Can an insurer deny my claim based on a misstatement during the contestability period?

Only if it's material. In Auburn, an insurer denied a claim based on misstated height. We proved it had no relevance to the cause of death, and they paid $250,000.

Can an alcohol exclusion be used to deny benefits in Alabama?

Only if the exclusion is clear and the alcohol directly caused the death. In Decatur, we beat a denial where the insured had alcohol in their system but died in an unrelated accident.

What if there’s no beneficiary named on the policy?

It goes to the estate. In Florence, we helped a family open probate and secured $176,000 after the insurer claimed they couldn’t identify a beneficiary.

Can life insurance proceeds be protected from creditors in Alabama?

Yes, if a living beneficiary is named. In Gadsden, we preserved a $210,000 payout from creditors by proving it belonged to the named daughter, not the estate.

Can vague policy language be used to deny my claim?

No. In Dothan, we overturned a denial based on an undefined "hazardous activity" clause, arguing the ambiguity must favor the insured. The court agreed.

What happens if the insurer delays my claim for months?

Unreasonable delay may be bad faith. In Bessemer, we forced an insurer to pay $500,000 after six months of silence, plus additional interest.

Can I reopen a denied claim if I find new evidence?

Yes. In Phenix City, we refiled a claim with newly discovered medical records and reversed a $110,000 denial.

Can a will override the named beneficiary in Alabama?

No. In Anniston, we defended a listed beneficiary against stepchildren relying on a conflicting will. The court upheld the policy designation.

What if my ERISA group life insurance claim was denied?

You must appeal properly and quickly. In Enterprise, we secured $164,000 by building a full ERISA appeal after the insurer rejected coverage for a deceased federal employee.

Can I sue for bad faith if my life insurance claim was denied in Alabama?

Yes. In Selma, we filed a bad faith lawsuit after an insurer denied a valid claim based on a paperwork issue they created. We recovered the policy benefit plus $85,000 in extra damages.

Can I receive benefits if I’m one of multiple co-beneficiaries?

Yes. In Huntsville, we defended a client’s 50% share when a sibling tried to claim the full $190,000 payout. The policy clearly supported our client’s portion.

Can I challenge a forged beneficiary form?

Absolutely. In Birmingham, handwriting experts proved a caretaker forged a change form. The original beneficiary was reinstated and received the $240,000 payout.

Are suicide exclusions enforceable in Alabama?

Only during the exclusion period. In Tuscaloosa, we forced payment after an insurer applied a suicide clause to a policy in force for over three years.

What if the insured disappeared and was declared dead?

A court declaration allows claims to proceed. In Montgomery, we recovered $275,000 after the insured had been missing for six years and declared deceased.

Is Alabama a community property state?

No. But we helped a Birmingham widow recover part of a policy by proving joint marital funds paid the premiums, even though she wasn’t listed.

Can a minor be named as a beneficiary in Alabama?

Yes, but a guardian must be appointed. In Opelika, we helped a family set up a custodial account for a minor child to receive $95,000.

What if a policy was issued through a union or trade association?

These often follow unique rules. In Gadsden, we handled a denial under a police union policy and recovered benefits by complying with its special administrative process.

What if the insurer claims a death occurred during a crime?

They must prove it. In Decatur, we overturned a denial after showing the insured had no criminal intent in a situation labeled as "felonious."

Can I still win if the agent made a mistake on the application?

Yes. In Mobile, we proved the agent incorrectly recorded health information, and the insurer couldn’t penalize the family for the error.

Are old life insurance policies still valid in Alabama?

Yes. In Florence, we recovered $200,000 from a policy issued in the 1970s. It had been paid up and was still enforceable.

Can I collect benefits if the insurer denies based on an outdated law?

Yes. In Birmingham, we successfully challenged a denial where the insurer misapplied an obsolete statute.

Can a claim be denied because the insured died during a risky activity?

Only if the policy excludes it clearly. In Auburn, a denial based on motorcycle riding was overturned after we showed the exclusion was buried and ambiguous.

What if someone else claims the insured verbally promised them the benefit?

Only written designations count. In Huntsville, we defended a niece's right to $180,000 after a friend alleged a verbal agreement.

Can I appeal a life insurance denial months after it happened?

Yes, if still within the timeframe. In Hoover, we reopened a claim denied 90 days earlier and secured $250,000 for the family.

What if my employer failed to enroll me properly in group coverage?

The employer may be liable. In Montgomery, we recovered benefits after proving the HR department failed to process enrollment.

Can a foreign death be used as a reason to delay a claim?

Only if the policy excludes it. In Tuscaloosa, we challenged a delay and secured $130,000 after showing the policy covered international deaths.

Can vague policy exclusions be used to deny an AD&D claim?

No. In Mobile, we reversed a denial involving a fall on stairs by proving the exclusion clause was unclear and misleading.

What is the deadline to appeal a denied ERISA life insurance claim?

Typically 180 days. In Florence, we submitted a successful appeal on day 178, preserving a $198,000 group life benefit.

Can I recover if the insurer says no death certificate was provided?

Yes, if one exists. In Birmingham, we obtained a certified copy and forced the insurer to reverse their denial.

What happens if multiple people claim the same life insurance benefit?

Insurers file interpleaders. In Montgomery, we represented a surviving spouse in court and secured the $310,000 benefit despite competing claims.

What if a will and a policy list different beneficiaries?

The policy controls. In Selma, we enforced a $205,000 payout to the named beneficiary over a conflicting will.

Are life insurance claims in Alabama often denied without proper cause?

Yes. In our experience, many denials cite vague or invalid reasons. In Tuscaloosa, we reversed a denial based on "suspected misrepresentation" with no evidence.

Can I still recover if the policy was issued through a professional association?

Yes, though the process may differ. In Birmingham, we worked through an engineer’s association policy to recover $120,000.

Can Alabama insurers cancel a policy without sending a lapse notice?

No. In Hoover, we overturned a denial by showing the lapse notice went to an outdated address and was never received.

What if my life insurance policy had a confusing rider or amendment?

We interpret those. In Dothan, we explained a confusing accidental death rider to a judge and won a $150,000 payout.

Understanding Life Insurance Claims in Alabama Courts

Many denied life insurance claims in Alabama end up in federal court, especially when an interpleader is filed by the insurance company. These cases are typically handled in the Northern District (Birmingham), Middle District (Montgomery), or Southern District (Mobile). Our firm is familiar with all three venues and frequently represents clients in disputes involving multiple beneficiaries or unclear policy terms.

Alabama is not a community property state, but life insurance proceeds can still be contested in divorce cases or when premiums were paid with joint marital funds. We've handled cases where ex-spouses were mistakenly left on a policy or where last-minute changes were made under pressure.

From policy lapse disputes to denied accidental death claims, we’ve seen insurers rely on vague exclusions or outdated application information to justify nonpayment. Whether your case involves a delay, denial, or federal interpleader action, our attorneys understand how Alabama courts handle life insurance litigation.

Contact us 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