After a life insurance claim is denied, filing an appeal is often the last step before litigation. Many beneficiaries expect a clear response once the appeal is submitted. Instead, some insurers go silent. Emails go unanswered. Phone calls are not returned. Months pass without a decision.
This silence is not accidental, and it often carries legal significance.
Why Insurers Go Silent After an Appeal
When an appeal is filed, the insurer is forced to reevaluate the claim with a more complete record. Appeals frequently include medical records, affidavits, employment documents, or legal arguments that undermine the original denial.
Rather than issue a reversal or a weak second denial, some insurers delay responding altogether. Silence allows the company to avoid committing to a position while hoping the beneficiary gives up or misses a deadline.
In some cases, the claim file has already been escalated to internal legal or litigation units, even though the insurer does not disclose that fact to the beneficiary.
Silence Does Not Pause the Claim
A common misconception is that an insurer’s lack of response means the claim is still under review with no consequences. In reality, statutory deadlines, contractual deadlines, and ERISA deadlines may continue to run regardless of whether the insurer responds.
For non ERISA policies, state law often imposes time limits on claim decisions and payment once proof of loss and appeals are submitted. An insurer’s failure to respond can itself become evidence of unreasonable delay.
For ERISA governed group life policies, federal regulations impose strict deadlines for deciding appeals. Missing those deadlines can trigger serious procedural violations.
What Silence Often Signals About the Case
When an insurer stops responding after an appeal, it often means the appeal exposed weaknesses in the denial rationale. The insurer may no longer be confident it can justify the denial based on the record.
In some cases, the insurer is attempting to preserve flexibility by not issuing a final decision. This can be a tactic to limit exposure to bad faith claims or statutory interest, depending on the jurisdiction.
Silence can also signal that the insurer expects litigation and is preparing its defense internally.
ERISA Appeals and Deemed Exhaustion
In ERISA cases, an insurer’s failure to issue a timely appeal decision can result in what is known as deemed exhaustion of administrative remedies. This allows the beneficiary to proceed directly to court without waiting further.
Courts take missed ERISA deadlines seriously. An insurer that ignores appeal deadlines may lose deference, face de novo review, or be barred from introducing new rationales later.
What feels like inaction can actually improve the beneficiary’s litigation posture.
Why Beneficiaries Should Not Chase Silence Indefinitely
Repeatedly calling or emailing an unresponsive insurer rarely produces results. More importantly, it can delay taking action while deadlines continue to approach.
Silence after an appeal is not a reason to wait indefinitely. It is often a sign that the dispute has moved beyond the claims stage.
Beneficiaries should document all attempts to obtain a response and preserve proof of submission of the appeal and supporting materials.
How Silence Becomes Evidence
In litigation, an insurer’s failure to respond after an appeal can be powerful evidence. It may support claims for unreasonable delay, statutory interest, or bad faith under state law.
In ERISA cases, silence can demonstrate procedural irregularities that undermine the insurer’s credibility and decision making process.
Judges often view unexplained delays as inconsistent with a fair and full review.
The Bottom Line
When a life insurer stops responding after an appeal is filed, it does not mean the appeal failed. In many cases, it means the appeal worked.
Silence often reflects internal uncertainty, procedural missteps, or preparation for litigation. Understanding what that silence means and acting strategically can make a significant difference in the outcome of a denied life insurance claim.