EquiTrust Life Insurance Company issues life insurance and annuity products across the United States. While the company is widely known for its annuity products, it has also issued life insurance policies including universal life and other long term coverage designed for financial planning and estate protection.
When a policyholder dies, beneficiaries must submit a claim to receive the death benefit under the policy. Although many claims are processed without difficulty, some EquiTrust life insurance claims face delays or denials after the insurer conducts a detailed review of the policy and supporting records.
Attorney Christian Lassen represents beneficiaries nationwide in disputes involving denied and delayed life insurance claims.
EquiTrust Life Insurance Policies
EquiTrust policies are often sold through financial advisors, insurance agents, and retirement planning professionals. Many of these policies are structured as long term financial products that combine life insurance protection with features designed to accumulate value over time.
Because these policies may remain in force for many years, claim reviews can involve detailed examination of the policy file, including underwriting documents and policy administration records.
Some EquiTrust policies may also involve complex beneficiary designations or ownership arrangements tied to estate planning strategies.
Common Reasons EquiTrust Life Insurance Claims Are Denied
Life insurance claims involving EquiTrust policies may be denied for several reasons depending on the circumstances of the policy and the insurer’s investigation.
Financial disclosure issues during underwriting
Some policies require applicants to provide financial information as part of the underwriting process. If the insurer later believes the financial disclosures were inaccurate or incomplete, it may question whether the policy should have been issued.
Example:
The application includes financial information used to determine the appropriate policy size, and the insurer later claims the disclosures were incomplete.
Policy status disputes involving flexible premiums
Certain life insurance policies allow flexible premium payments. If payments are not made in a way that keeps the policy active, the insurer may claim the policy was no longer in force.
Example:
The policy relied on accumulated value to cover insurance costs, but the insurer later states the policy lapsed due to insufficient funding.
Beneficiary structure complications
Policies used in financial planning sometimes list trusts or multiple beneficiaries, which can lead to questions about who is entitled to the proceeds.
Example:
A trust is named as the beneficiary, but the insurer requires documentation confirming the trust’s authority to receive the benefit.
Documentation issues during claim review
Some claims are delayed when the insurer requests additional documents before approving payment.
Example:
The insurer asks for financial planning documents or policy ownership records before completing the claim review.
Claim Review Process
When a claim is submitted, the insurer may examine a variety of records connected to the policy before deciding whether to approve the benefit.
The review may include:
The original life insurance application
Underwriting records created when the policy was issued
Policy statements and payment history
Beneficiary designation forms
Death certificates and related documentation
These records help the insurer determine whether the policy requirements have been satisfied.
Long Term Policies and Administrative Changes
Because many EquiTrust policies remain active for decades, administrative changes over time can sometimes create confusion about policy ownership or beneficiary designations.
For example, ownership may have been transferred during estate planning updates or beneficiary forms may have been revised years after the policy was issued. These changes can affect how the insurer evaluates a claim.
Legal Help With EquiTrust Life Insurance Claim Denials
Life insurance disputes involving EquiTrust policies can involve complex questions about policy administration, ownership structures, and underwriting records. Beneficiaries who receive a denial may have options to challenge the insurer’s decision depending on the evidence relied upon during the claim review.
The Lassen Law Firm focuses exclusively on life insurance disputes nationwide. Attorney Christian Lassen has more than 25 years of experience representing beneficiaries in denied, delayed, and contested life insurance claims.
If an EquiTrust life insurance claim has been denied or delayed, legal review can help determine whether the insurer’s decision can be challenged.