Technology has made our lives more connected, but it has also created new vulnerabilities. Pacemakers, insulin pumps, and even cars can be hacked remotely. Experts have warned that targeted cyberattacks may one day cause deaths that look accidental but are in fact digital assassinations. If someone is killed because a hacker took control of their devices, will life insurance companies pay, or will they deny claims by citing exclusions? If you need legal guidance for denied life insurance claims in New York call us.
What Are Cyber Assassinations?
A cyber assassination is the intentional killing of a person through hacking connected devices.
In 2017, the FDA confirmed that certain pacemakers were vulnerable to remote hacking that could alter heart rhythms.
White-hat hackers have demonstrated control over cars, shutting down engines and steering.
Security researchers have shown how insulin pumps and defibrillators can be manipulated wirelessly.
These risks have not yet become mainstream headlines, but the possibility is real.
How Cyber Assassinations Could Lead to Denied Claims
Life insurance companies may deny claims linked to cyberattacks by arguing:
Exclusions for criminal acts:
If hackers are deemed criminals, insurers may argue that deaths resulting from criminal activity are excluded.
War or terrorism clauses:
If the attack is linked to a hostile group or nation-state, insurers may deny under terrorism or war exclusions.
Self-inflicted injury claims:
If a device is hacked but insurers argue it was tampered with by the insured, they may classify it as self-inflicted.
Experimental device exclusions:
Medical devices connected to the internet may be considered experimental, giving insurers another avenue to deny.
The Contestability Window and Disclosure Issues
During the first two years of coverage, insurers can rescind policies for alleged misrepresentations. Cyber-related deaths may give them new excuses, such as:
The insured failed to disclose use of connected medical devices
The insured concealed participation in high-risk activities involving IoT technology
The insured’s cause of death was ambiguous enough to justify denial
Real-World Examples of Digital Risk
Former Vice President Dick Cheney’s doctors once disabled the wireless feature of his pacemaker over assassination fears. In 2015, Chrysler recalled 1.4 million vehicles after researchers showed they could hijack a Jeep’s steering and brakes remotely. These cases prove that cyber risks are not just theoretical.
If a policyholder dies in what appears to be a car accident but evidence later shows their vehicle was hacked, insurers may try to deny by claiming the cause of death was not accidental. If a pacemaker is remotely altered, insurers could argue the death was linked to an excluded medical complication.
Can Attorneys Help in Cyber Assassination Disputes?
Yes. Life insurance attorneys can challenge insurers who attempt to avoid coverage in these novel cases. Legal strategies include:
Arguing that vague exclusions cannot apply to deaths caused by outside actors
Demanding forensic evidence to prove the cause of death
Challenging attempts to classify a cyberattack as suicide or self-inflicted injury
Pursuing bad faith claims if insurers deny without a valid basis
Families should not accept insurer arguments that stretch policy language beyond recognition.
FAQ: Cyber Assassinations and Life Insurance
What is a cyber assassination?
It is the killing of a person by hacking connected devices such as pacemakers, cars, or medical equipment.
Would life insurance cover cyber assassination deaths?
Not always. Insurers may try to deny under exclusions for crime, terrorism, or experimental devices.
Have cyberattacks on medical devices been proven?
Yes. The FDA and independent researchers have confirmed vulnerabilities in pacemakers and insulin pumps.
Can insurers argue a cyberattack is not accidental?
Yes. They may claim the death was foreseeable or excluded, even if it was clearly malicious.
What should families do if insurers deny after a cyber-related death?
Hire a life insurance attorney. These cases require technical forensics and strong legal arguments.
If cyber assassinations ever become common, insurers will no doubt invent new exclusions to avoid paying. Personally, if I ever go out because a hacker took over my pacemaker, I would want the obituary to say “terminated by software update.” At least then it sounds like something out of The Terminator instead of a denied claim letter.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
All content on this page and site written by Christian Lassen, Esq.