National Western Life Insurance Company has issued life insurance policies for decades in the United States and internationally. The company is known for selling universal life insurance, term life insurance, and policies designed for estate planning, wealth transfer, and international clients.
When a life insurance claim is filed after the death of the insured, beneficiaries expect the policy to pay the death benefit promised in the contract. In some situations, however, National Western may delay payment while reviewing the claim or deny the claim based on policy provisions or findings from its investigation.
Attorney Christian Lassen represents beneficiaries nationwide in disputes involving denied and delayed life insurance claims.
National Western Life Insurance Policies
National Western Life has historically issued policies to a wide range of policyholders, including individuals purchasing personal life insurance, business owners seeking estate planning coverage, and international clients purchasing U.S. based life insurance.
Because many National Western policies involve large death benefits or long standing policies, claim investigations may involve detailed review of underwriting records and policy documentation.
Some policies may also include complex ownership structures such as trusts, family entities, or estate planning arrangements.
Common Reasons National Western Life Insurance Claims Are Denied
When National Western denies a life insurance claim, the company generally cites policy provisions or issues uncovered during its claim review.
Application misrepresentation allegations
Life insurance applications require disclosure of health history, lifestyle information, and financial details. If the insurer believes the application omitted important information, it may attempt to deny the claim.
Example:
The application states that the insured had no history of a certain medical condition, but medical records show treatment before the policy was issued.
Contestability period investigations
Most life insurance policies allow the insurer to review the accuracy of the application during the first two years after the policy begins.
Example:
The insured dies within the contestability period, prompting the insurer to request medical and prescription records from several years before the policy was issued.
Policy lapse disputes
Some denials occur because the insurer claims that the policy was not active due to unpaid premiums.
Example:
A premium payment was missed or returned by the bank, and the insurer claims the policy lapsed before the insured died.
Ownership or beneficiary disputes
Because some National Western policies are used in estate planning structures, disagreements can arise about who owns the policy or who should receive the benefit.
Example:
A trust is listed as the policy owner, but family members dispute whether the trust controls the life insurance proceeds.
Claim Investigations Conducted by the Insurer
After receiving a claim, National Western may review several types of records before determining whether the benefit will be paid.
The investigation may involve:
Medical records from physicians and hospitals
Prescription history reports from pharmacy databases
The original policy application and underwriting file
Premium payment and billing records
Death certificates, autopsy reports, or accident investigation records
These documents allow the insurer to evaluate whether the claim satisfies the policy terms.
Policies Owned by Trusts or Business Entities
Some National Western policies are owned by trusts or business entities rather than individuals. These arrangements are often used for estate planning purposes.
When the insured dies, the insurer may review the trust or ownership documents to confirm who has authority to submit the claim and receive the proceeds.
This review can sometimes delay payment while the insurer verifies the ownership structure.
Legal Help With National Western Life Insurance Claim Denials
Life insurance disputes involving National Western policies can involve complex issues such as application information, ownership structures, and claim investigations. Beneficiaries who receive a denial may have options to challenge the insurer’s decision depending on the policy language and the evidence used in 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 a National Western life insurance claim has been denied or delayed, legal review can help determine whether the insurer’s decision can be challenged.