We successfully recovered $162,100 for a beneficiary after Central Life Insurance denied a valid life insurance claim. The insurer initially refused payment following the insured’s death, but after a focused legal challenge, the denial was reversed and the full death benefit was paid.
This result reinforces an important point many families do not realize. A life insurance denial is often a strategy, not a final decision.
How We Reversed the Central Life Insurance Denial
Central Life Insurance denied the claim citing alleged issues tied to application disclosures and policy provisions. As is common, the insurer relied on technical arguments rather than any evidence that the policy was invalid or that the insured acted dishonestly.
Our attorneys obtained the full claim file, policy application, underwriting records, and payment history. We identified multiple weaknesses in the insurer’s position, including vague application questions, a lack of follow up during underwriting, and no connection between the alleged issue and the cause of death.
Once we presented a detailed legal analysis outlining breach of contract exposure and potential bad faith liability, Central Life reversed its position and issued the full $162,100 payout.
Common Reasons Insurers Like Central Life Deny Claims
Life insurance denials are rarely as simple as insurers suggest. In many cases, the denial is based on one of the following arguments.
Alleged non disclosure or misrepresentation
Insurers often claim the insured failed to disclose medical history, lifestyle habits, or other information on the application. Even minor or unintentional omissions may be labeled “material” after death, especially if the claim falls within the contestability period.
Contestability period investigations
Most policies allow insurers to scrutinize applications during the first two years. If death occurs in that window, insurers routinely search medical records and pharmacy databases for any inconsistency that can be used to justify denial.
Policy exclusions
Insurers may cite exclusions for suicide, criminal activity, hazardous hobbies, or other causes of death. These exclusions are frequently vague and are often applied more broadly than the policy language allows.
Alleged policy lapse
Some denials are based on claims that premiums were not paid or the policy lapsed. Many of these denials fail to account for grace periods, automatic payment errors, or required lapse notices that were never properly sent.
Waiting period or pre existing condition arguments
Certain policies attempt to limit coverage for deaths tied to conditions existing before issuance. Insurers sometimes misuse these provisions even when the death was unrelated.
Why Many Central Life Denials Can Be Challenged
Insurance companies assume beneficiaries will not question a denial. That assumption is often wrong. Courts routinely require insurers to prove that an alleged omission was material, that an exclusion clearly applies, or that a lapse was handled in strict compliance with the law.
In the Central Life case, the insurer could not meet that burden.
When policy language is ambiguous, the law generally requires it to be interpreted in favor of the beneficiary. When underwriting was incomplete, the insurer bears the risk. When a denial lacks a causal link to the death, it is often indefensible.
How Legal Representation Changes the Outcome
Challenging a denied life insurance claim is not about filling out another form. It requires pressure, documentation, and a willingness to litigate. Our firm approaches these cases by:
• Analyzing application language for ambiguity
• Reviewing underwriting files for internal inconsistencies
• Examining premium payment and lapse procedures
• Challenging exclusions that are vague or overbroad
• Asserting breach of contract and bad faith exposure
That strategy is what forced Central Life Insurance to pay the full benefit in this case.
Nationwide Help for Denied Life Insurance Claims
We represent beneficiaries nationwide in denied, delayed, and disputed life insurance claims. Our cases include disputes involving Central Life Insurance, Banner Life, Jackson Life, Symetra, Voya, and many other carriers.
We handle these cases on a contingency basis. If we do not recover money, you owe nothing.
If your life insurance claim has been denied, delayed, or buried under technical language, legal review can make the difference between walking away and receiving the benefit your loved one intended for you to have.