Juneau Life Insurance Lawyer
Christian Lassen, Esq. | Quoted in The Wall Street Journal | 25 Years Experience
Families in Juneau often face life insurance disputes that are shaped by factors unique to Southeast Alaska. Geographic isolation, reliance on air and marine travel, federal employment, and outdoor activity are frequently used by insurers to justify delay or denial after a death. Many Juneau families reach out only after receiving a denied life insurance claim letter that offers little explanation and no practical guidance.
The Lassen Law Firm represents Juneau families and others across Alaska life insurance disputes involving private policies, employer sponsored group coverage, 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 final resolution.
Why Life Insurance Claims in Juneau Are Frequently Challenged
Life insurance disputes in Juneau commonly arise from:
Accidental deaths tied to hiking, boating, or travel in remote terrain
Alleged policy lapses during serious illness or treatment
Beneficiary disputes involving federal employee policies
Administrative denials tied to strict federal or military rules
Insurers often rely on these circumstances to delay payment, even when the policy supports coverage.
How Juneau Life Insurance Disputes Are Decided
Many Juneau claims involving employer sponsored plans or federal benefits are governed by federal law rather than Alaska state court procedures. ERISA and federal employee benefit claims follow rigid administrative rules that can permanently limit evidence if mistakes are made early.
Understanding where a claim is reviewed and how evidence must be submitted is critical to preserving a family’s right to benefits.
Examples of Alaska Life Insurance Disputes We Have Resolved
A Douglas Island family denied benefits after a policy allegedly lapsed while the insured was undergoing cancer treatment. Review of notice and grace period requirements supported recovery under a life insurance claim denied due to lapse analysis.
An accidental death claim denied after a fatal hiking fall in the Tongass National Forest where the insurer relied on a hazardous activity exclusion. Policy ambiguity supported recovery under a denied AD&D claim challenge.
A federal employee’s spouse in Lemon Creek faced delayed payment due to a disputed beneficiary designation. The issue was resolved through a denied FEGLI claim strategy involving federal administrative review.
These examples reflect how insurer defenses are challenged rather than guaranteed outcomes.
Life Insurance Claim Types We Handle in Juneau
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Claims
We litigate denied AD&D claims involving outdoor activity, travel related incidents, or alleged intoxication.
Policy Lapse and Nonpayment Disputes
We investigate billing records and notice compliance when a life insurance claim denied due to lapse is raised.
Application Misrepresentation Allegations
Insurers often rely on outdated or irrelevant medical information. We challenge these denials using underwriting records and expert review.
Beneficiary and Ownership Disputes
We represent families in life insurance beneficiary disputes involving former spouses, incomplete forms, or conflicting records.
Federal and Military Benefit Denials
We assist clients with denied FEGLI claims, denied SGLI claims, and denied ERISA claims affecting federal employees, postal workers, and veterans in Southeast Alaska.
Juneau Neighborhoods and Areas We Serve
We represent clients throughout Juneau and surrounding communities, including Downtown Juneau, Douglas Island, Mendenhall Valley, Lemon Creek, Thane, Auke Bay, Twin Lakes, West Juneau, and Salmon Creek.
Do I Need a Juneau 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, federal benefit procedures, and complex administrative claims, not office location.
No Fees Unless We Get You Paid
You pay nothing unless we win. All consultations are free and confidential.
Call The Lassen Law Firm today at 800-330-2274 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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“We were told the policy lapsed before my mother died. But we had receipts showing otherwise. Lassen Law Firm used them to force the company to honor the contract. They don’t mess around.”- David K.
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.
