National Guardian Life Insurance Company, often referred to as NGL, issues life insurance policies and related insurance products throughout the United States. The company provides individual life insurance coverage as well as specialized insurance products offered through financial institutions, agents, and associations.
When a policyholder dies, beneficiaries must file a claim to receive the policy proceeds. While many claims are processed without dispute, some National Guardian Life insurance claims are delayed or denied after the insurer conducts a review of the policy and claim documentation.
Attorney Christian Lassen represents beneficiaries nationwide in disputes involving denied and delayed life insurance claims.
National Guardian Life Insurance Policies
National Guardian Life has issued a variety of life insurance products including term life insurance, whole life policies, and final expense coverage. Some policies are marketed to seniors, while others may be sold through credit unions, banks, or insurance advisors.
Because these policies may be issued through different distribution channels, disputes sometimes arise about how the application was completed, how the policy was maintained, or who is entitled to receive the policy proceeds.
Once a claim is submitted, the insurer reviews the policy and related records to determine whether the benefit should be paid.
Common Reasons National Guardian Life Insurance Claims Are Denied
Life insurance claims involving National Guardian Life policies may be denied for several reasons depending on the policy language and the findings of the claim investigation.
Alleged misrepresentation on the application
Life insurance applications require applicants to disclose medical history and other relevant information. If the insurer believes the application contains inaccurate or incomplete answers, it may attempt to deny the claim.
Example:
The application indicates that the insured had no history of a particular medical condition, but medical records later show treatment before the policy was issued.
Contestability period investigations
Most life insurance policies contain a contestability period that allows the insurer to review the accuracy of the application during the first two years of coverage.
Example:
The insured dies within the contestability period, prompting the insurer to obtain medical and prescription records from several years before the policy was issued.
Policy lapse disputes
Some claim disputes arise when the insurer claims that the policy was not active because premiums were not paid.
Example:
A missed premium payment occurs after a change in billing arrangements, and the insurer claims the policy lapsed before the insured died.
Beneficiary designation conflicts
Disputes may occur when multiple individuals claim the life insurance proceeds or when beneficiary records appear inconsistent.
Example:
Two different beneficiary designation forms exist in the policy file listing different individuals.
Claim Investigation Process
After receiving a life insurance claim, the insurer may review several types of records before making a decision about payment.
The investigation may involve:
Medical records from physicians and hospitals
Prescription history reports from pharmacy databases
The original life insurance application and underwriting file
Policy billing and premium payment records
Death certificates and related investigation reports
These materials are used to determine whether the claim satisfies the policy requirements.
Final Expense Policies and Claim Reviews
National Guardian Life has issued many final expense policies intended to cover funeral and burial costs. Because these policies may be issued with simplified underwriting, claim investigations sometimes focus heavily on the information provided in the application.
If the insurer later believes the application contained inaccurate information about the insured’s health history, it may attempt to deny the claim based on alleged misrepresentation.
Legal Help With National Guardian Life Insurance Claim Denials
Life insurance disputes involving National Guardian Life policies often require careful review of the application, policy language, and claim investigation records. Beneficiaries who receive a denial may have options to challenge the insurer’s decision depending on the facts of the case.
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 a National Guardian Life insurance claim has been denied or delayed, legal review can help determine whether the insurer’s decision can be challenged.