Life insurance policies are supposed to provide peace of mind, but when alcohol is involved—either during the application or at the time of death—things can quickly get complicated. Insurance companies often seize on any connection to alcohol to deny claims, even when the policyholder was honest or the drinking had little to do with how the person died. If you're facing a denial involving alcohol, understanding how insurers justify these decisions is the first step in challenging them. If you need a Michigan life insurance lawyer call today.
How Alcohol Use Leads to Denials
Alcohol-related denials usually fall into one of two categories: misrepresentations on the original application or claims involving deaths under the influence. When applying for life insurance, applicants are asked to disclose any history of alcohol abuse, DUIs, rehab stays, or related health conditions. If a policyholder answers “no” but medical records show otherwise, the insurer may treat it as a material misstatement—especially if the death occurs within the first two years of the policy (the contestability period). But not all omissions justify denial. We’ve overturned many claims where the insurer tried to deny benefits over minor, unrelated alcohol history.
Insurers also focus heavily on how the policyholder died. Alcohol is often blamed in accident cases, such as falls, drownings, or car crashes—even when it wasn’t the main cause of death. We handled a case where a father died in a boating accident. The insurer denied the claim based on his BAC, calling the incident “reckless behavior.” But the facts showed the death was due to a mechanical failure, not alcohol. After challenging their findings, we secured a full payout for his family.
Common Alcohol-Based Justifications for Denial
Insurance companies often rely on policy language that excludes certain alcohol-related situations. Denials we see most frequently involve:
Death while intoxicated: Even if the death was accidental, insurers may argue it was self-inflicted or reckless.
Failure to disclose past alcohol abuse: If rehab, DUI arrests, or related diagnoses are uncovered posthumously, insurers may cite misrepresentation.
Death during criminal activity: If the insured was legally intoxicated at the time of a fatal accident, insurers may link it to illegal conduct.
Drug and alcohol exclusion clauses: Many policies contain language that voids coverage if alcohol or drugs contributed to the death.
What makes these denials so problematic is how broadly insurers interpret the facts. A mild BAC reading may be treated the same as extreme intoxication. Even deaths from unrelated causes—like a stroke or seizure—can be tied back to alcohol if the insurer is looking for a reason not to pay.
What If the Alcohol Wasn't the Cause?
Just because alcohol was present doesn’t mean the insurer has a valid reason to deny the claim. Insurers must prove the alcohol was a substantial contributing factor. In many cases:
The BAC was below the legal limit
The cause of death had no medical link to alcohol
The policyholder had no known alcohol-related issues
The application was fully truthful and complete
In one case, a woman died of a blood clot but had a glass of wine with dinner. The insurer denied the claim citing the presence of alcohol. After legal review, it was clear the wine had no bearing on her death, and the claim was paid.
When to Challenge an Alcohol-Based Denial
If you’ve received a denial tied to alcohol use, don’t assume it’s final. You have the right to:
Request the insurer’s full claim file and explanation in writing
Review the policy language, including exclusions and limitations
Provide medical records and toxicology reports that contradict the denial
Hire a life insurance lawyer to file a formal appeal or legal brief
We’ve reversed denials involving fatal falls, overdose accusations, even “implied” alcohol use where no test was performed. In many cases, we submit a 100+ page legal response citing case law, policy interpretation errors, and medical evidence that forces insurers to reverse course.
Don’t Let the Insurer Use Alcohol as an Excuse
Life insurance companies routinely deny claims based on alcohol, hoping beneficiaries won’t fight back. But alcohol-related denials are often weak when scrutinized. Whether the denial involves misrepresentation, intoxication at the time of death, or a vague exclusion clause, it’s worth reviewing with a skilled life insurance attorney.
If your claim was denied due to alcohol use, contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll evaluate your case, expose any errors in the insurer’s reasoning, and work to recover the benefits your loved one intended for you.