One of the most common calls we receive starts the same way.
“My claim has not been denied, but the insurance company keeps delaying and delaying. They keep asking for more documents. They say it is still under review. It has been months. What is going on?”
If this is happening to you, you are not alone. And in many cases, the delay is not innocent.
Life insurance companies often use delay as a strategy. Sometimes it is because they are investigating a real issue. Other times, they are hoping you will get frustrated, give up, or accept less than you are owed.
Delaying a Claim Is Often a Business Decision
Life insurance companies do not just evaluate medical records and policy language. They also evaluate money and behavior.
Every day they delay paying your claim:
They keep your money invested
They earn interest on funds that should already be paid
They improve their cash flow and financial reports
On large claims, even a few months of delay can mean a significant amount of money for the insurer.
In some cases, delay is simply a profit strategy.
In other cases, delay is used to buy time while the company looks for a reason to deny the claim.
Common Excuses Insurance Companies Use to Delay Claims
Some of the most common reasons insurers give for delay include:
“We are still waiting on medical records”
“The claim is under review”
“We need more information”
“The file is with our contestability or special investigations unit”
“We are verifying the application”
Sometimes these steps are legitimate. Often they are not.
We frequently see insurers request the same documents multiple times, drag out record collection for months, or keep resetting internal review timelines.
The goal is simple. Slow things down and see if the beneficiary gets tired of pushing.
The Two Most Common Real Reasons for Delay
In our experience, most long delays fall into one of two categories.
They Are Looking for a Reason to Deny
If the death happened within the first two years of the policy, the insurer is usually searching the application and medical history for any possible misrepresentation.
Even small or irrelevant issues may be blown out of proportion.
The delay happens because they are trying to build a case against paying.
They Hope You Will Go Away or Settle for Less
In some cases, the insurer already knows it will probably have to pay. But delaying costs them nothing and often works in their favor.
Some beneficiaries get desperate. Some have bills piling up. Some accept a reduced settlement just to get the process over with.
Delay creates leverage for the insurance company.
When a Delay Becomes Bad Faith
Insurance companies are allowed a reasonable amount of time to investigate a claim.
They are not allowed to:
Stall without justification
Repeatedly request the same information
Ignore deadlines
Keep the claim in “review” indefinitely
Use delay as a pressure tactic
When they do, the delay can become insurance bad faith.
In some cases, this exposes the insurer to penalties, interest, and even damages beyond the policy amount.
Signs the Delay Is Not Legitimate
You should be concerned if:
The claim has been pending for many months with no clear explanation
The insurer keeps asking for the same documents again and again
You are not getting straight answers about what is being reviewed
The death certificate and basic documents were provided long ago
Communication has slowed down or stopped entirely
These are classic signs of a strategic delay.
What You Should Do If Your Claim Is Being Delayed
Do not assume that waiting patiently is the best move.
Delays often get worse, not better.
Once a lawyer gets involved, several things usually happen very quickly:
The insurer suddenly starts responding
The “review” gets finished
The real issue comes to the surface
The company has to justify its conduct in writing
In many cases, claims that have been stalled for months are resolved shortly after legal pressure is applied.
Why Insurance Companies Take Lawyers Seriously
Insurance companies know the difference between a beneficiary asking questions and a lawyer building a case.
A lawyer changes the risk calculation.
Delay becomes dangerous for the insurer when it starts to look unreasonable or abusive, especially under state insurance laws.
Do Not Let Them Use Time Against You
Your loved one bought life insurance to provide security, not to trap you in months or years of paperwork and excuses.
If your claim is being delayed and you are not getting clear answers, that is often a sign of a bigger problem.
Our firm focuses exclusively on delayed and denied life insurance claims. We know exactly why these delays happen and how to force insurers to stop hiding behind them.
We offer free consultations and handle these cases on a contingency basis. You do not pay anything unless we recover money for you.
If your life insurance claim has been stuck in limbo, contact us. There is a very real chance the insurance company is not just “reviewing” your claim. It is trying to avoid paying it.