We secured a $1.1 million life insurance payout for a client after MetLife denied the claim and delayed payment for nearly nine months. The denial was based on an alleged material misrepresentation on the life insurance application. Our client depended on the policy proceeds for financial stability and was understandably overwhelmed by the delay and denial. Once our life insurance attorneys became involved, MetLife reversed its position and released the full policy amount within four days.
This outcome was not luck. It resulted from a focused legal strategy that addressed MetLife’s stated denial grounds, exposed weaknesses in their position, and forced accountability under the policy terms and applicable law.
Why MetLife Denies or Delays Life Insurance Claims
MetLife, like other large carriers, manages claims at scale and applies standardized review protocols. While many claims are paid promptly, denials and extended delays often follow a predictable pattern. The most common MetLife-specific denial and delay tactics we see include:
• Allegations of material misrepresentation on the application
• Broad interpretations of criminal or misconduct exclusions
• Claims involving prescription medication, alcohol, or alleged substance use
• AD and D denials based on underlying health conditions
• Repeated document requests that stall claim resolution
A frequent problem is document cycling. MetLife may request the same records multiple times even when it already holds a valid authorization to obtain them directly. This creates delay, increases stress on beneficiaries, and often causes families to abandon the claim. When pressed legally, these delays tend to disappear quickly.
The Contestability Period and MetLife Claim Reviews
Most MetLife life insurance policies include a two-year contestability period. During this time, MetLife may review the application after death and attempt to rescind coverage for alleged inaccuracies. However, the legal standard is often misunderstood or misapplied.
To deny a claim during the contestability period, MetLife must show more than a simple mistake. The insurer must establish that the statement was false, that it was material to underwriting, and that it would have changed the decision to issue coverage or set the premium. Many MetLife applications treat answers as representations rather than warranties. This distinction matters. Honest errors, memory gaps, or immaterial omissions generally do not justify rescission.
In our case, MetLife relied on an alleged misrepresentation that had no connection to the cause of death and no real underwriting impact. Once that was clearly demonstrated, the denial collapsed.
Beneficiary Disputes and Administrative Delays at MetLife
MetLife claims are also delayed or denied due to beneficiary-related issues. These problems typically arise when:
• The insured divorced or remarried
• Beneficiary changes were made late in life
• Multiple claimants submit competing claims
• Internal MetLife records conflict with submitted forms
In these situations, MetLife may file an interpleader action and deposit the funds with the court. While sometimes appropriate, interpleader is also used defensively to avoid making a payout decision. Resolving these cases requires identifying the controlling beneficiary designation and addressing any claims of invalidity, forgery, or superseding court orders.
Why MetLife Reverses Denials After Legal Involvement
MetLife denials often reverse quickly once a claim is challenged in a structured and informed way. This is because many denials rely on aggressive interpretations rather than solid legal footing. When confronted with:
• Policy language analysis
• Underwriting standards
• Medical or factual clarification
• Bad faith exposure
MetLife frequently chooses resolution over escalation. In our case, once the flaws in the misrepresentation argument were documented and presented, the insurer paid the full benefit without further delay.
What Beneficiaries Should Know About MetLife Claims
MetLife is not immune from scrutiny. Denials and delays are not final simply because they come from a major carrier. Beneficiaries should be cautious when MetLife:
• Relies on vague references to application errors
• Requests documents it already has access to
• Delays payment without clear written explanations
• Raises new denial grounds late in the process
Each of these behaviors can signal a vulnerable denial that may be reversed.
Frequently Asked Questions About MetLife Life Insurance Claims
Why did MetLife deny my claim
MetLife commonly cites misrepresentation, alleged substance use, exclusions, or administrative issues. Many of these denials are challengeable.
What qualifies as a material misrepresentation
A statement that would have changed MetLife’s underwriting decision. Minor errors or unrelated omissions usually do not qualify.
Can MetLife deny a claim after two years
Generally no. After the contestability period, denials based on application errors are extremely limited unless fraud is proven.
Why does MetLife keep asking for documents
This is often a delay tactic. Legal intervention usually stops repeated and unnecessary requests.
How are beneficiary disputes handled
MetLife may file interpleader, but courts rely on the most recent valid designation. These cases require careful document analysis.
Does MetLife handle group policies differently
Yes. Employer-sponsored policies may be governed by ERISA, which imposes strict appeal rules and deadlines.
Can MetLife reverse a denial
Yes. Many MetLife denials reverse quickly once challenged with evidence and legal analysis.
Should I hire an attorney for a MetLife claim
In high-value claims or contested denials, legal representation often shortens timelines and improves outcomes significantly.
If you want, I can expand this further with a MetLife-specific misrepresentation checklist, a contestability timeline guide, or a focused comparison between MetLife individual policies and MetLife ERISA group policies without overlapping your core practice area pages.