Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance, known as SGLI, provides critical protection to members of the U.S. military and their families. With coverage up to $400,000, it is often the main source of financial security after a service related death.
But some SGLI claims are denied based on allegations of misconduct, especially claims involving an AWOL classification. When that happens, families are often told there is nothing they can do.
That is not always true.
Many of these denials are based on incomplete information, incorrect classifications, or procedural mistakes. When the facts are fully investigated, a significant number of these claims can be reversed.
SGLI Covers Almost Everything, But Not Absolutely Everything
SGLI is one of the broadest life insurance programs available. It covers deaths in combat, deaths caused by acts of war, and deaths in extremely dangerous circumstances that civilian policies often exclude.
However, SGLI does have limited exclusions.
One category involves serious misconduct, such as:
Treason
Espionage
Desertion
Being absent without leave, also called AWOL
If a servicemember is truly found to have voluntarily deserted or gone AWOL, the government may deny benefits.
The problem is that in combat and high risk missions, these classifications are sometimes made based on incomplete or incorrect assumptions.
How AWOL Classifications Go Wrong
In chaotic combat environments, servicemembers may be:
Killed and not immediately recovered
Separated from their unit
Captured
Buried under debris or lost in difficult terrain
In some cases, the military makes a preliminary classification based on limited information.
If someone is missing and circumstances are unclear, they may be temporarily or incorrectly labeled AWOL or a deserter. Once that label is applied, it can follow the case for years, even after new evidence emerges.
When that happens, families can be wrongly denied SGLI benefits.
A Real Case: From Hero to Wrongly Accused
Joe was a career Marine with twelve years of honorable service. He had completed multiple combat tours and was respected as a leader.
At the time of his death, he was leading a reconnaissance mission in Afghanistan with a team of ten.
The unit was ambushed. There was heavy gunfire and an IED explosion. When backup arrived, eight soldiers were confirmed dead. Joe and one other soldier, Mark, were missing.
At first, everyone assumed Joe had been killed in the explosion.
Later, disturbing information was found in Mark’s belongings suggesting Mark may have been communicating with the enemy. Based on that, military officials concluded Mark had likely defected.
Because Joe and Mark disappeared together and were close friends, Joe was placed in the same category.
Even though there was no evidence Joe had done anything wrong, his status was changed to AWOL.
The First Denial
Joe’s wife, Sarah, filed an SGLI claim.
She received a denial letter stating that because Joe was classified as AWOL, no benefits were payable.
There was no body. There was no way for her to prove what really happened. She was told she had a limited time to appeal.
Overwhelmed and grieving, she did not pursue it.
New Evidence and a Second Denial
About eighteen months later, recovery teams found Joe’s remains in a remote area near the original ambush site.
The evidence showed he had died in the same attack as the others. There was no sign he had deserted, no sign he had collaborated, and no sign he had survived and left voluntarily.
Sarah filed a new SGLI claim.
The insurer denied it again, this time arguing that her filing was an untimely appeal of the original denial.
How Legal Action Fixed the Problem
Sarah contacted a law firm that focuses on denied life insurance claims, including SGLI cases.
The lawyer immediately saw the issue. This was not a late appeal. This was a new claim based on newly discovered evidence.
The attorney submitted a detailed legal brief explaining:
The full timeline of events
The recovery of Joe’s remains
The military’s corrected understanding of what happened
Legal precedent showing that SGLI benefits must be paid when an AWOL classification is later proven wrong
He also showed that continuing to deny the claim would be legally indefensible.
Within weeks, the insurer reversed its position.
Sarah received the full $400,000 SGLI benefit, plus interest dating back to the original claim.
Why Families Must Challenge SGLI Denials
Wrongful AWOL classifications, missing records, and rushed conclusions lead to more SGLI denials than most people realize.
Many families assume the government or insurer must be right.
Often, they are not.
SGLI is not a favor. It is a contractual benefit earned through service.
If the denial is based on incorrect facts or an outdated classification, it can and should be challenged.
When You Should Talk to a Lawyer About an SGLI Denial
You should get legal help if:
The claim was denied based on AWOL, desertion, or misconduct
The servicemember was missing or not immediately recovered
New evidence has emerged after the denial
The facts do not support the misconduct accusation
These cases require lawyers who know how to obtain military records, challenge classifications, and force insurers to follow the law.
Do Not Assume an SGLI Denial Is Final
Our firm focuses exclusively on denied life insurance claims, including SGLI and other military related policies.
We know how often these denials are based on wrong assumptions, incomplete investigations, or procedural games.
We offer free consultations and handle these cases on a contingency basis. You do not pay anything unless we recover benefits for you.
If your SGLI claim was denied because of AWOL or alleged misconduct, contact us. There is a very real chance the denial is wrong.