Denied Life Insurance Claims
If your life insurance claim was denied, you are not alone. Every year, thousands of beneficiaries face unexpected denials from insurance companies they trusted to pay rightful claims. At Lassen Law Firm, we focus exclusively on helping beneficiaries fight denied and delayed life insurance claims nationwide. Christian Lassen, Esq., a life insurance attorney with 25 years of firsthand experience, personally handles every case. If your claim was denied for any reason, we can help you challenge it and pursue the benefits you are owed.
If a life insurance claim is denied, the beneficiary has the right to appeal, demand a written explanation, and, if necessary, file a lawsuit for breach of contract or bad faith. Insurers must prove a valid reason for denying payment under the policy terms.
Why Life Insurance Claims Get Denied
Insurance companies often deny claims to protect their bottom line. While some denials are based on legitimate exclusions or misrepresentations, many are issued in bad faith or based on questionable interpretations of the policy. Denials may be based on alleged misstatements on the original application, claimed policy lapses, alleged exclusions like suicide or dangerous activities, or disputes over beneficiary designations. Some insurers also wrongfully deny claims during the contestability period by aggressively searching for irrelevant misrepresentations.
A denial is not the final word. Beneficiaries have legal rights and options to challenge improper or unfair denials.
How We Help With Denied Life Insurance Claims
At Lassen Law Firm, we aggressively fight denied life insurance claims. We demand detailed written explanations from insurers, identify weaknesses in their denial justifications, and prepare to litigate where necessary. Our firm challenges wrongful denials by gathering evidence, applying pressure through formal demands, and filing lawsuits for breach of contract and bad faith. Insurers know they are much less likely to get away with unjustified denials when an experienced attorney becomes involved.
For example, we recently helped a client overturn a denied $400,000 claim where the insurer alleged misrepresentation of high blood pressure. After uncovering flaws in their investigation, we secured full payment within two months.
Common Reasons Life Insurance Claims Are Denied
- Alleged misrepresentation on the insurance application
- Non-payment of premiums and claimed policy lapse
- Death occurring during an excluded activity (e.g., skydiving, illegal activities)
- Suicide exclusions invoked within the contestability period
- Disputes over beneficiary designation or changes
- Allegations of fraud surrounding the policy purchase
- Contestability investigations citing unrelated health conditions
- Alcohol or drug exclusions improperly applied
- Employer error in work-sponsored policies (ERISA issues)
- Death occurring under suspicious circumstances
What to Do After a Denied Life Insurance Claim
If your life insurance claim was denied, take these steps immediately:
- Request a full, detailed denial letter from the insurance company.
- Gather all policy documents, correspondence, and application materials.
- Avoid submitting appeals without legal advice as many appeal processes are traps.
- Contact an experienced life insurance attorney immediately.
- Act quickly to preserve your rights and deadlines to contest the denial.
The sooner you involve legal counsel, the stronger your chances of overturning the denial.
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 8, 2025 | Contact 800-330-2274
Frequently Asked Questions About Denied Life Insurance Claims
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Common reasons include alleged misrepresentation on the application, policy lapse for non-payment, death during excluded activities, suicide within the contestability period, and disputes over beneficiaries.
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Yes. Beneficiaries have the right to appeal a denial, request all evidence the insurer used to deny the claim, and challenge the decision with legal support.
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Each state sets different deadlines, but typically you must take legal action within 1 to 5 years depending on the jurisdiction and the policy terms.
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Insurers must prove that the misstatement was material — meaning it impacted their underwriting decision. Minor or unrelated errors are often not valid reasons to deny a claim.
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Yes. If death occurs within the first two years of the policy, insurers can contest claims based on misrepresentations, but they still must act fairly and reasonably.
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Yes, if death occurred within the policy’s suicide exclusion period (typically two years). After that, suicide exclusions generally no longer apply.
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When multiple parties claim rights to the proceeds, insurers may delay payment or file an interpleader lawsuit, asking the court to decide who receives the money.
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Yes. Many policies contain exclusions for deaths resulting from intoxication, but insurers must prove the exclusion clearly applies under policy terms.
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You can challenge allegations of lapse, especially if the insurer failed to provide proper notice of non-payment or mishandled billing.
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Yes. If the denial was improper or made in bad faith, you can sue for breach of contract and, in some cases, seek additional bad faith damages.
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Yes. If the policy was provided through employment, ERISA laws govern appeals and lawsuits, often requiring exhaustion of administrative remedies first.
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Many claims resolve within 30 to 90 days after legal action begins, but some complex cases may take longer depending on the insurer's cooperation.
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For private policies, not always. For ERISA-governed policies through work, yes — you usually must exhaust administrative appeals first.
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Yes, but they must have clear proof that exclusions apply. International death cases often involve extra verification but must still be handled fairly.
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Most policies exclude deaths occurring during felonies. However, insurers must clearly prove the circumstances before denying the claim.
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Often, yes. Insurers may dispute whether the death truly qualifies as an accident and may delay or deny payment based on technical definitions.
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Only material misrepresentations that affected underwriting risk — not minor mistakes — justify claim denial under most state laws.
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Hiring a lawyer greatly improves your chances of success. Insurers are less likely to wrongfully deny or lowball when legal pressure is applied.
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Contact an experienced life insurance attorney to review your denial letter, assess the policy terms, and develop a strategy to overturn the denial quickly.
Our Clients Speak Volumes
The Right Choice for Your Claim
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“Apparently, there were so-called inconsistencies on the application. The insurer used that as an excuse to avoid paying. Thankfully, Lassen Law stepped in and proved everything had been disclosed accurately. Claim paid.”- Rebecca M.
Why The Lassen Law Firm Is Different
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Proven National ResultsRepresenting clients coast to coast and recovering hundreds of millions in denied life insurance claims, we secure justice and peace of mind for families everywhere.
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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.