Anchorage Life Insurance Lawyer
Christian Lassen, Esq. | Quoted in The Wall Street Journal | 25 Years Experience
Families in Anchorage dealing with a denied life insurance claim often face issues that are uncommon elsewhere in the country. Aviation related deaths, remote employment schedules, seasonal work, and military service all play a role in how insurers evaluate Alaska based claims. These factors are frequently used to delay or deny payment after a loss.
The Lassen Law Firm represents Anchorage families and others across Alaska life insurance disputes involving private life insurance, employer sponsored group coverage, and military or federal benefit programs. Our practice is limited exclusively to life insurance law.
Attorney Christian Lassen, Esq. has more than 25 years of experience handling life insurance litigation nationwide and has been quoted by The Wall Street Journal on insurance related legal issues. Clients work directly with him throughout the claim and litigation process.
Why Life Insurance Claims Are Often Contested in Anchorage
Life insurance disputes in Anchorage frequently arise from:
Accidental deaths involving aviation, snow machines, or remote travel
Employer provided group life policies affected by rotational or out of state work schedules
Alleged policy lapses caused by address changes or interrupted payroll
Military and federal employment benefits with strict administrative rules
Insurers often rely on these circumstances to justify denials that do not hold up under legal scrutiny.
Where Anchorage Life Insurance Disputes Are Resolved
Many Anchorage life insurance cases involving employer sponsored plans or federal benefits are governed by federal law and reviewed in federal court. ERISA claims, in particular, follow rigid procedures that limit evidence if it is not submitted early.
Understanding how these cases are reviewed and where they are decided is critical to protecting a family’s right to benefits.
Examples of Alaska Life Insurance Disputes We Have Resolved
An accidental death claim denied after a fatal crash near Lake Hood where the insurer relied on an alcohol exclusion. Policy language and investigation records supported recovery under a denied AD&D claim analysis.
A military family denied benefits after an insurer questioned a beneficiary designation for a service member stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson. The matter was resolved through a denied SGLI claim challenge after reconstructing intent and documentation.
An Anchorage worker denied benefits after an employer sponsored policy allegedly lapsed following a move outside Alaska. Review of plan procedures supported recovery under a life insurance claim denied due to lapse theory.
These examples illustrate common insurer defenses rather than guaranteed outcomes.
Life Insurance Disputes We Handle for Anchorage Families
Accidental Death and Dismemberment
We litigate denied AD&D claims involving aviation, outdoor activity, alleged intoxication, or unclear causes of death.
Policy Lapse and Nonpayment Allegations
We investigate billing practices, notice requirements, and employer conduct when a life insurance claim denied due to lapse is raised.
Application Misrepresentation Claims
Insurers often rely on outdated medical records or immaterial discrepancies. We challenge these denials with underwriting files and expert review.
Beneficiary and Ownership Disputes
We represent rightful claimants in life insurance beneficiary disputes involving former spouses, family conflicts, or competing paperwork.
Federal, Military, and ERISA Claims
We assist clients with denied ERISA claims as well as denied SGLI claims and denied FEGLI claims affecting federal employees and service members.
Anchorage Communities We Serve
We work with clients throughout Anchorage and surrounding areas, including Downtown Anchorage, Midtown, Turnagain, East Anchorage, Spenard, South Addition, Eagle River, Muldoon, Russian Jack, and Sand Lake.
Do I Need an Anchorage Based Lawyer for a Life Insurance Claim
Life insurance disputes are governed by contract law and federal statutes rather than local courtroom appearances. What matters most is experience with insurer tactics, ERISA procedures, and complex benefit claims, not office location.
No Fees Unless We Recover for You
You pay nothing unless we win your case. Every consultation is confidential and 100% free.
Call The Lassen Law Firm at 800-330-2274 today to speak directly with attorney Christian Lassen.
Written & Reviewed by Christian Lassen, Esq.
National Life Insurance Attorney | 25+ Years of Experience
Quoted in The Wall Street Journal (May 17, 2025)
Last reviewed: Jan 19, 2026
Our FAQ
Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 800-330-2274 today!
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A grace period is the time after a missed payment during which the policy remains in force, usually 30 to 60 days depending on state law and policy terms.
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No. In most states, insurers must send a written notice of overdue premiums and warn of pending lapse before terminating coverage.
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The policy may still be enforceable. Beneficiaries can challenge the lapse based on the insurer’s failure to provide required notice.
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Yes. If the insured dies during the grace period, the policy is still considered active, and benefits should be paid.
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Yes. In group life insurance policies, employers sometimes fail to forward premiums properly, leading to wrongful lapse denials.
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Yes. If automatic payment setups fail through no fault of the insured, lapses may be challenged.
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Some policies automatically borrow against cash value to cover missed payments. Failure to apply this correctly can lead to wrongful lapse claims.
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Possibly. Some courts excuse nonpayment if the insured was mentally incapacitated and missed premiums without proper notice.
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No. Reinstatement must occur while the insured is alive, but wrongful lapse denials can still be challenged posthumously.
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Not without following strict notice and grace period rules. Beneficiaries can often challenge technical denials.
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Deadlines vary by state, but it’s critical to act within 1 to 5 years depending on the policy and jurisdiction.
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Not necessarily. Payments mailed within grace periods or accepted by insurers may keep coverage active.
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Bank records, payment receipts, insurer correspondence, and premium notices are key evidence.
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If the insurer used an outdated address despite updated information, lapse denials can often be overturned.
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Possibly. If the insured submitted a reinstatement application before death, it may help challenge a lapse denial.
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In some states, special grace periods and protections applied during COVID-19 emergencies. They can help fight wrongful lapses.
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Only if the insurer followed all legal notice and grace period requirements. Otherwise, beneficiaries may still recover.
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Misapplied premiums can lead to wrongful lapses — and courts often hold insurers accountable for these errors.
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An attorney can obtain records, challenge improper lapses, negotiate settlements, and litigate if necessary to enforce payment.
Our Clients Speak Volumes
The Right Choice for Your Claim
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“My mom died after a non-traditional medical procedure, and the insurer refused to pay. Lassen Law proved the treatment had nothing to do with the cause of death. They fought like it was their own family involved.”- Emily N.
Why The Lassen Law Firm Is Different
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Proven National Results
With over two decades of exclusive focus on life insurance litigation, we’ve helped thousands of families recover wrongfully denied benefits. Our reputation for fast, strategic resolutions has made us a trusted national resource for complex claim disputes.
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Recognized ExpertisePerfect 10.0 Avvo rating endorsed by over 1,700 attorneys; life member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum; ranked among the top 1 percent of lawyers nationally for life insurance litigation.
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Client-First AdvocacyNo upfront fees: our contingency fee guarantee aligns our interests with yours; we provide personalized, compassionate representation from your initial consultation through resolution.
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Media & Community LeadershipQuoted in The Wall Street Journal and featured in leading legal publications; frequent speaker at national conferences; dedicated to charitable efforts supporting pediatric cancer care.