10 cases of self-inflicted injury life insurance exclusion denials

Fighting Life Insurance Denials Due to Suicide and Self-Inflicted Injury Exclusions: Ambiguous Policy Language

Life insurance policies often contain exclusions related to suicide and self-inflicted injuries, but the language in these exclusions can be ambiguous. This ambiguity can lead to denied claims when an insurer misinterprets or overextends the exclusion, applying it to deaths that may not fall within the original intent of the policy. At our law firm, we specialize in fighting life insurance claim denials, including those involving suicide or self-inflicted injury exclusions. Below are several examples of denied claims with ambiguous policy language related to suicide or self-inflicted injury.

Examples of Denied Claims Due to Ambiguous Suicide or Self-Inflicted Injury Exclusions

1. GPM Life Insurance Claim Denied

   • Case Details: The insured’s death was ruled an accident by the coroner, but the insurer denied the claim based on the suicide exclusion. The ambiguity arose over whether the term "suicide" in the policy referred only to intentional self-inflicted death, or whether it also included accidental self-inflicted death.

   • Outcome: The court found the term "suicide" to be ambiguous, ruling in favor of the claimant.

2. Index Life Insurance Claim Denied

   • Case Details: The insured passed away from a drug overdose, and the insurer denied the claim based on the self-inflicted injury exclusion. The ambiguity was whether "self-inflicted injury" in the policy referred only to intentional harm or also included unintentional, self-inflicted injuries like overdosing.

   • Outcome: The court found the term "self-inflicted injury" ambiguous and ruled in favor of the claimant.

3. Stonebridge Life Insurance Claim Denied

   • Case Details: The insured died from carbon monoxide poisoning after running a car engine in a closed garage. The insurer denied the claim, applying the suicide exclusion. The ambiguity was whether "suicide" included reckless self-inflicted death, or only intentional death.

   • Outcome: The court found the term "suicide" to be ambiguous and ruled in favor of the claimant.

4. Split Dollar Life Insurance Claim Denied

   • Case Details: The insured died from a gunshot wound to the head, and the insurer invoked the suicide exclusion. The ambiguity lay in whether "suicide" referred only to voluntary, intentional self-inflicted death, or whether it included involuntary, self-inflicted death caused by mental illness.

   • Outcome: The term "suicide" was deemed ambiguous by the court, and the claimant was awarded the death benefit.

5. Ethos Life Insurance Claim Denied

   • Case Details: The insured died by hanging, and the insurer denied the claim under the suicide exclusion. The ambiguity was whether the term "suicide" referred only to conscious, intentional self-inflicted death or also included unconscious self-inflicted death due to alcohol intoxication.

   • Outcome: The court ruled that the term "suicide" was ambiguous, finding in favor of the claimant.

6. American Memorial Life Insurance Claim Denied

   • Case Details: The insured jumped off a bridge, and the insurer denied the claim under the suicide exclusion. The ambiguity was whether "suicide" referred only to rational self-inflicted death or also included irrational self-inflicted death due to depression.

   • Outcome: The court found the term "suicide" ambiguous and ruled in favor of the claimant.

7. Transpremier Life Insurance Claim Denied

   • Case Details: The insured died from stabbing himself multiple times with a knife. The insurer denied the claim under the suicide exclusion, arguing that the stabbing was premeditated. The ambiguity was whether "suicide" meant premeditated self-inflicted death, or whether it also included impulsive, self-inflicted death due to emotional distress.

   • Outcome: The court found the term "suicide" ambiguous and awarded the death benefit to the claimant.

8. Occidental Life Insurance Claim Denied

   • Case Details: The insured set himself on fire with gasoline, and the insurer denied the claim under the suicide exclusion. The ambiguity was whether "suicide" referred only to sane, self-inflicted death or whether it also included insane, self-inflicted death due to psychosis.

   • Outcome: The court found the term "suicide" ambiguous and ruled in favor of the claimant.

9. American Equity Life Insurance Claim Denied

   • Case Details: The insured died from a gunshot wound, and the insurer denied the claim under the suicide exclusion. The ambiguity was whether "suicide" referred only to willful, self-inflicted death, or whether it also included accidental, self-inflicted death due to mishandling of a firearm.

   • Outcome: The term "suicide" was found to be ambiguous, and the claimant was awarded the benefit.

10. Oxford Life Insurance Claim Denied

• Case Details: The insured overdosed on prescription drugs, and the insurer denied the claim under the suicide exclusion. The ambiguity was whether "suicide" referred only to purposeful, self-inflicted death or whether it included negligent, self-inflicted death due to medication error.

• Outcome: The court ruled that the term "suicide" was ambiguous, finding in favor of the claimant.

How We Help Fight Denied Claims

If your life insurance claim has been denied due to an ambiguous suicide or self-inflicted injury exclusion, our experienced attorneys are here to help. We specialize in fighting life insurance denials and ensuring that beneficiaries receive the payouts they are entitled to. Here's how we can assist you:

• Reviewing Policy Language: We will analyze the language in your policy to identify ambiguities and challenge misinterpretations made by the insurer.

• Gathering Evidence: We work with experts to gather supporting evidence, such as coroner reports and medical records, to prove that the insured's death was not covered by the exclusion.

• Appealing Denials: If your claim is denied, we can help you file an appeal with the insurer or take legal action to ensure that you receive the death benefit.

• Legal Representation: Our attorneys will represent you in court if necessary, advocating for your rights and challenging any unjust exclusions or misapplied clauses.

Insurance Companies We’ve Resolved Claims With

Our top-rated life insurance lawyers have successfully resolved cases involving insurers like:

• GPM Life Insurance

• Index Life Insurance

• Stonebridge Life Insurance

• Transpremier Life Insurance

• Ethos Life Insurance

• American Memorial Life Insurance

FAQ Section

• What should I do if my life insurance claim is denied due to a suicide or self-inflicted injury exclusion?
  Contact a life insurance lawyer who can review your policy, challenge the insurer’s interpretation, and help you appeal the denial or pursue legal action.

• Can a self-inflicted injury be excluded from life insurance coverage?
  Yes, many life insurance policies have exclusions for self-inflicted injuries or suicides, but the application of these exclusions can vary depending on the policy language and the circumstances surrounding the death.

• How do I know if the term "suicide" or "self-inflicted injury" is ambiguous in my policy?
  Our experienced attorneys will help you analyze the language in your policy and identify any ambiguities that could lead to a wrongful denial of your claim.

• Can an accidental death be misclassified as a suicide or self-inflicted injury?
  Yes, insurance companies sometimes misclassify accidental deaths as suicides or self-inflicted injuries. If you believe this is the case, our lawyers can help challenge the denial.