Fighting Denied Life Insurance Claims Due to Murder or Homicide: Case Examples and Legal Insights
Life insurance claims can be denied due to various circumstances, including homicide or murder. In many of these cases, insurers invoke legal provisions such as the slayer rule, which disqualifies the murderer from receiving the life insurance proceeds. Our top-rated life insurance lawyers have successfully handled several complex cases involving murder and homicide-related claim denials. Below are some notable case examples that illustrate how insurers and courts approach these situations.
1. Ohio National Life Insurance Claim Denied
Case Details: The policyholder was murdered by a hired hitman. The insurer denied the claim, arguing that the beneficiary was involved in the murder plot and invoked the slayer rule, which disqualifies the murderer or accomplice from receiving the benefits.
Outcome: The court ruled against the beneficiary, as there was sufficient evidence to support that the beneficiary had played a role in the murder. The insurer’s application of the slayer rule was upheld.
2. Western & Southern Life Insurance Claim Denied
Case Details: The policyholder died in what was described as a suicide by cop—provoking police officers to shoot and kill him. The insurer denied the claim, invoking the suicide clause, arguing that the policyholder intentionally sought death by provoking the police.
Outcome: The court agreed with the insurer, ruling that the policyholder’s actions showed a conscious desire to die, thereby triggering the suicide exclusion.
3. Shelter Life Insurance Claim Denied
Case Details: The policyholder was murdered during the commission of a robbery. The insurer argued that the policyholder’s death was related to criminal activity and therefore excluded from coverage under the policy’s criminal activity exclusion.
Outcome: The beneficiary filed a lawsuit against Shelter Life, but the court ruled in favor of the insurer. The court found that the policyholder’s death was foreseeable and linked to the criminal act, and thus the exclusion applied.
4. Kuvare Life Insurance Claim Denied
Case Details: The policyholder died in a suicide by cop incident, where he provoked law enforcement to shoot him. The insurer denied the claim, citing the suicide clause, and argued that the policyholder’s actions demonstrated an intentional desire to die.
Outcome: The beneficiary sued the insurance company but lost the case. The court upheld the denial, agreeing with the insurer’s argument that the policyholder’s actions led to his own death, making the suicide clause applicable.
5. Pan American Life Insurance Claim Denied
Case Details: The policyholder died of a cause that was not disclosed in the life insurance application. The insurer argued that the policyholder misrepresented critical facts about their health and lifestyle, which would have impacted the premium rates or eligibility for coverage.
Outcome: The beneficiary sued the insurer, but the court sided with the insurance company. The court ruled that the policyholder’s misrepresentations were fraudulent and material to the insurer’s decision-making process, leading to the denial of the claim.
6. EMC National Life Insurance Claim Denied
Case Details: The policyholder was murdered by their spouse, who was the primary beneficiary of the life insurance policy. The insurer invoked the slayer rule, arguing that the spouse was disqualified from receiving the death benefit due to the murder conviction.
Outcome: The spouse’s estate filed a lawsuit against EMC National Life, but the court ruled in favor of the insurer. The spouse’s rights to the death benefit were forfeited due to the conviction for murder.
How Our Life Insurance Lawyers Can Help
If your life insurance claim has been denied due to murder, homicide, or related exclusions, our expert attorneys are here to help. We have extensive experience in handling complex life insurance disputes, including those involving the slayer rule, suicide exclusions, and criminal activity exclusions. Here's how we can assist:
Reviewing the Policy Terms: We will carefully review the policy’s exclusions, including suicide clauses, criminal activity exclusions, and the slayer rule, to determine whether the insurer’s denial is valid.
Challenging Exclusions: If the insurer improperly applies exclusions or fails to consider all facts, we can help challenge the denial and fight for the beneficiary’s right to the death benefit.
Litigating Homicide-Related Claims: In cases where the death was ruled a homicide, we will work to ensure that the rightful beneficiary receives the policy proceeds, even if the claim involves the slayer rule or other complex legal principles.
Appeals and Legal Action: If your claim has been wrongfully denied, we will guide you through the appeal process and represent you in court to secure the benefits you deserve.
Insurance Companies We’ve Helped Resolve Homicide-Related Denials With
Our skilled life insurance lawyers have successfully resolved claims with major insurers, including:
Ohio National Life
Western & Southern Life
Shelter Life
Kuvare Life
Pan American Life
EMC National Life
FAQ Section
What is the slayer rule in life insurance?
The slayer rule is a legal principle that prevents a beneficiary from collecting life insurance benefits if they are involved in the murder or homicide of the policyholder. The rule is applied to ensure that a murderer does not profit from their crime.Can a beneficiary be denied life insurance benefits if the death was caused by suicide?
Yes, if the policy contains a suicide clause and the death occurs within the stipulated period (usually two years), the insurer may deny the claim. However, if the death was a suicide by cop or caused by intentional provocation, the suicide exclusion may apply.What happens if the insured is murdered while committing a crime?
Many life insurance policies contain exclusions for deaths that occur during criminal activity. If the policyholder’s death is linked to a crime, the insurer may deny the claim based on this exclusion.Can a spouse still receive life insurance benefits if they are convicted of murder?
No, under the slayer rule, a spouse convicted of murdering the policyholder is disqualified from receiving the life insurance benefits.