Life insurance companies like to present themselves as compassionate and family focused. In reality, they are profit driven businesses. When a claim is denied, especially after years of paid premiums, the company keeps the money.
For the insurer, that is business.
For the family, it can be financially and emotionally devastating.
One of the most common tactics insurers use is to label deaths involving drugs, chemicals, or risky behavior as “suicide” so they can invoke the suicide exclusion and avoid paying the claim.
Can a Life Insurance Company Deny a Claim Because of Drug Use?
They may try. That does not mean the denial is legally valid.
When a death involves drugs, alcohol, or chemical inhalants, insurers often jump to the conclusion that the person must have intended to die. If the policy is still within the suicide exclusion period, usually the first two years, they deny the claim and call it suicide.
Under the law, suicide requires intent.
Recklessness, stupidity, or poor judgment is not the same thing as intent to die. An accidental overdose or a fatal experiment is not automatically suicide.
The burden is on the insurance company to prove that the insured intended to take their own life.
How Insurers Turn Accidents Into “Suicide”
This is a very common pattern:
A young person or adult dies from drugs, chemicals, or risky behavior
The policy is still within the suicide exclusion period
There is no note, no history of depression, and no evidence of suicidal thinking
The medical examiner rules the death accidental or undetermined
The insurance company denies the claim anyway and calls it suicide
They do this because many families do not fight back.
A Real Case: A Teen’s Accidental Death Labeled as Suicide
Jason was a 15 year old from a stable, supportive family. He was doing well in school, had an active social life, and was making plans for the future.
One night, he died after inhaling paint thinner fumes.
The coroner ruled the death accidental. There was no suicide note. No history of depression. No evidence that Jason wanted to die.
His parents filed a life insurance claim.
The insurance company denied it.
Because the policy was less than two years old, they invoked the suicide exclusion and claimed that Jason’s death must have been intentional.
The family contacted a lawyer who focuses on denied life insurance claims.
How the Denial Was Overturned
The attorney conducted a thorough investigation.
He reviewed Jason’s phone, text messages, and social media activity. What he found told a very different story.
Jason had been talking about upcoming parties, school events, and future plans. One message said, “Gonna try huffing tonight. Gonna be so fun!”
That message alone showed recklessness, not suicidal intent.
The attorney presented:
The coroner’s report ruling the death accidental
Witness statements
Jason’s messages and online activity showing excitement about the future
Evidence showing no signs of depression or suicidal thinking
At the appeal hearing, the insurance company could not prove intent.
They reversed their decision and paid the full policy benefit.
What This Means for You
If your claim was denied based on an alleged suicide and the death involved drugs, alcohol, chemicals, or risky behavior, do not assume the insurer is right.
Many of these denials are based on speculation, not proof.
The law requires evidence of intent. Without it, the suicide exclusion does not apply.
When You Should Talk to a Life Insurance Lawyer
You should get legal help if:
The insurer claims suicide but the death was ruled accidental or unclear
The denial is based on drug use, inhalants, or risky behavior
There is no suicide note or history of suicidal intent
The policy is still within the suicide exclusion period
These cases are very winnable, but they require lawyers who understand how insurers misuse suicide exclusions.
Do Not Let the Insurance Company Have the Final Word
Our firm focuses exclusively on denied life insurance claims, including suicide exclusion cases involving drugs, alcohol, and alleged self harm.
We know how these denials are manufactured and how to dismantle 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 loved one’s claim was denied based on alleged suicide and the facts do not add up, contact us. There is a very real chance the insurance company is wrong.