The insurer called it suicide. We proved it was accidental. That is how we secured a full two million dollar life insurance payout for a grieving partner after a death that the company tried to use as an excuse to walk away. The truth? The policyholder died during autoerotic asphyxiation, an accidental act that insurers often mislabel to avoid payment.
This case was not just about legal definitions. It was about challenging a false narrative. The insurance company leaned on the stigma of the cause of death and invoked a suicide clause within the policy’s early contestability period. But we uncovered evidence that the policyholder had no history of depression or suicidal intent and had instead engaged in a known high risk behavior that tragically went wrong. This distinction changed everything. If you want to learn how to appeal a life insurance denial in Iowa call today.
Suicide Clauses Are Often Misused to Deny Legitimate Claims
Most life insurance policies contain a suicide exclusion. If the policyholder dies by suicide within the first two years, the insurer will typically only return premiums, not pay the full benefit. This clause is meant to prevent people from buying policies with plans to take their own life, but in practice, it gives insurers a broad excuse to deny claims any time a death looks even slightly self inflicted.
We have seen this play out in countless cases involving prescription misuse, asphyxiation, or even extreme sports. These are often ruled suicides by insurance companies, regardless of medical or forensic findings. The burden then shifts to the beneficiary to prove the death was accidental, a nearly impossible task without legal support.
Accidental Death or Suicide? Why the Distinction Matters in a Payout
Legally, suicide must be intentional. That means the insurer has to prove, with clear and convincing evidence, that the policyholder meant to end their life. In our case, there was no note, no history of suicidal ideation, and no behavior suggesting depression or planning. What there was, however, was a documented history of sexual risk taking, specifically involving oxygen restriction.
The autopsy listed asphyxiation as the cause of death. The police report showed no signs of suicidal behavior. We worked with a forensic pathologist and a behavioral expert to submit a legal memorandum showing that the act was accidental. Once confronted with real evidence and expert opinions, the insurer reversed its position and paid the full benefit.
Why Insurance Companies Use Suicide Allegations to Deny Claims
The reality is harsh. Suicide clauses save insurance companies money, and claimants often give up when faced with a denial on those grounds. The cause of death may be unclear, stigmatized, or even embarrassing for the family to discuss. That gives insurers the upper hand unless someone pushes back.
We handled a separate case involving a man who died from a combination of prescription drugs and alcohol. The company argued he intentionally overdosed, but we showed through toxicology and pharmacy records that the levels were consistent with recreational misuse, not suicide. That case also resulted in a full payout after an initial denial.
What Is Autoerotic Asphyxiation and Why Does It Trigger Denials
Autoerotic asphyxiation involves self induced oxygen deprivation during sexual activity. It is extremely dangerous and can lead to accidental death even when the person involved has no intent to die. Because it involves a solitary and unusual setting, insurers frequently label these deaths as suicides despite evidence to the contrary.
In reality, many such deaths are misclassified because families do not want to discuss the details, and insurers rely on shame to avoid litigation. We handle these cases with sensitivity and discretion but do not back down when it comes to proving the death was unintentional.
Why You Need a Life Insurance Attorney If a Claim Is Denied as Suicide
Once a claim is denied, the window to respond is short. Insurers may lock in their decision and shift the burden to you. Without medical experts, legal guidance, and knowledge of how suicide clauses are interpreted in court, most people lose these battles.
Our attorneys specialize in these disputes. We know how to gather and present the right evidence, question the insurer’s assumptions, and file suit if necessary. Courts have repeatedly held that insurers must prove suicide with strong evidence, and ambiguity is supposed to favor the beneficiary. But that only happens if someone makes the legal argument.
Denied for Suicide? Your Claim May Still Be Valid
If your life insurance claim was denied because of an alleged suicide, do not accept the decision without a second opinion. Especially in cases involving asphyxiation, overdoses, or unusual solitary deaths, the cause may not meet the legal definition of suicide.
Contact our firm for a confidential review. We will examine the policy, the denial letter, the medical records, and the context of the death. If the evidence supports an accidental cause, we will fight to overturn the denial and secure the benefit your loved one intended you to receive.