Fairbanks Life Insurance Lawyer
Christian Lassen, Esq. | Quoted in The Wall Street Journal | 25 Years Experience
Families in Fairbanks often rely on life insurance as a critical layer of protection due to remote travel, extreme weather, and military or government employment. When a claim is denied, families are frequently told the loss falls within an exclusion or that coverage somehow lapsed without warning. Many Fairbanks clients contact us after receiving a denied life insurance claim letter that provides little explanation and no meaningful path forward.
The Lassen Law Firm represents Fairbanks families and others across Alaska life insurance disputes involving private policies, employer sponsored group life insurance, and federal or military benefit programs. Our practice is devoted 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 from initial review through resolution.
Why Life Insurance Claims in Fairbanks Are Frequently Denied
Life insurance disputes in Fairbanks often arise from:
Accidental deaths involving winter travel, aviation, or remote terrain
Prescription medication or toxicology exclusions raised after fatal incidents
Employer provided group policies affected by job transfers or seasonal work
Military and federal benefit claims tied to Fort Wainwright service
Insurers frequently rely on Alaska specific conditions to justify denials that do not withstand legal review.
How Fairbanks Life Insurance Disputes Are Reviewed
Many Fairbanks claims involving employer sponsored plans or federal benefits are governed by federal law and reviewed under strict procedural standards. ERISA claims, in particular, limit what evidence can be submitted later if it is not included early in the process.
Knowing how and when evidence must be presented is often the difference between recovery and permanent denial.
Examples of Alaska Life Insurance Disputes We Have Resolved
An accidental death claim denied after a fatal crash in the White Mountains where the insurer relied on a prescription drug exclusion. Policy interpretation and medical review supported recovery under a denied AD&D claim analysis.
A military family denied benefits after an insurer challenged a beneficiary update for a service member stationed at Fort Wainwright. The claim was resolved through a denied SGLI claim challenge after reconstructing intent and documentation.
A Fairbanks resident denied benefits after premiums were misapplied and the policy allegedly lapsed. Review of billing and notice procedures resulted in recovery under a life insurance claim denied due to lapse theory.
These examples illustrate common insurer defenses rather than guaranteed outcomes.
Life Insurance Claim Types We Handle in Fairbanks
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Claims
We litigate denied AD&D claims involving outdoor accidents, aviation incidents, alleged intoxication, or unclear causes of death.
Policy Lapse and Grace Period Disputes
We investigate billing practices and notice compliance when a life insurance claim denied due to lapse is raised.
Application Misrepresentation Allegations
Insurers often rely on outdated medical records or immaterial omissions. We challenge these denials using underwriting files and expert review.
Beneficiary and Ownership Disputes
We represent families in life insurance beneficiary disputes involving old forms, divorce, or competing claimants.
Military, Federal, and ERISA Claims
We assist clients with denied ERISA claims as well as denied SGLI claims, denied VGLI claims, and denied FEGLI claims affecting service members and federal employees.
Fairbanks Neighborhoods and Areas We Serve
We represent clients throughout Fairbanks and nearby communities, including University West, Hamilton Acres, Fort Wainwright, Aurora Subdivision, Goldstream, Chena Ridge, Downtown Fairbanks, North Pole, and College.
Do I Need a Fairbanks 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 handling insurer defenses, ERISA procedures, and complex benefit claims, not office location.
No Fees Unless We Win
There is no cost unless we recover benefits for you. Your consultation is free and confidential.
Call The Lassen Law Firm at 800-330-2274 to speak with attorney Christian Lassen about your Fairbanks life insurance claim.
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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“The insurer said my wife’s death was suicide and refused to pay, citing a policy exclusion. I knew that wasn’t true. The team at Lassen Law proved the exclusion period had ended. They handled everything and got me justice.”- Robert S.
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.
