San Diego Life Insurance Lawyer
Christian Lassen, Esq. | Quoted in The Wall Street Journal | 25 Years Experience
In San Diego, where coastal living meets military tradition and innovation, families rely on life insurance to safeguard their future. But when insurers delay or deny a claim, grieving loved ones are left facing uncertainty and financial strain. At The Lassen Law Firm, we help San Diego residents fight back against wrongful life insurance denials and recover the benefits they’re owed.
Led by attorney Christian Lassen, our firm handles life insurance cases exclusively. With over 25 years of experience and hundreds of millions recovered, we offer the legal strength and personal focus needed to take on even the most complex claims.
Why San Diego Families Choose The Lassen Law Firm
Sole Focus: Life insurance litigation is all we do with no distractions, no divided attention.
Nationwide Reach: Whether the policy involves SGLI, FEGLI, an employer plan, or a private insurer, we’re licensed to handle cases across California and all 50 states.
Attorney-Driven Representation: Every case is handled directly by attorney Christian Lassen, not passed off to junior staff or call centers.
Real Results for California Clients
$401,000 recovered for a military family in Chula Vista after an SGLI claim was denied due to a disputed beneficiary change. We proved the servicemember’s intent and forced payment through federal appeal.
$109,000 secured in Point Loma after a claim was denied under an aviation exclusion. We demonstrated the policy language was vague and successfully reversed the denial.
$260,000 obtained for a La Mesa client whose group policy was terminated after missed auto-payments. We showed the insurer failed to follow California’s notice requirements and won a full recovery.
Life Insurance Disputes We Handle in San Diego
Accidental Death Denials (AD&D): Including exclusions tied to intoxication, “hazardous activity,” or travel-related deaths.
Policy Lapse and Grace Period Disputes: We investigate whether required notices were sent and whether termination was lawful under California law.
Misrepresentation Claims: Insurers often deny based on alleged errors in an application or outdated medical records. We challenge these denials with documentation and legal precedent.
Contested Beneficiary Issues: We assist clients in resolving disputes involving outdated forms, multiple claims, or estate confusion.
Federal and Military Policy Denials: We handle SGLI, FEGLI, and VGLI disputes for service members and veterans throughout San Diego County.
San Diego Neighborhoods and Areas We Serve
We represent clients across the county, including:
Downtown San Diego
Chula Vista
Point Loma
Pacific Beach
La Jolla
North Park
La Mesa
Mission Hills
Escondido
Carlsbad
El Cajon
Oceanside
Whether your case involves a private insurer, employer-sponsored plan, or government policy, we bring the legal firepower and attention your claim deserves.
What to Expect
In-depth policy and denial review
Aggressive communication with insurers
Litigation when needed in state or federal court
Clear guidance and responsive legal updates
No Fees Unless We Win
You pay nothing unless we recover for you. All consultations are free and confidential.
Call The Lassen Law Firm today at 800-330-2274 to speak with attorney Christian Lassen.
Written & Reviewed by Christian Lassen, Esq.
National Life Insurance Attorney | 25+ Years of Experience
Quoted in The Wall Street Journal (May 17, 2025)
Last reviewed: June 10, 2025
California Disclaimer: “Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.”
Our FAQ
Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 800-330-2274 today!
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A grace period is the time after a missed payment during which the policy remains in force, usually 30 to 60 days depending on state law and policy terms.
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No. In most states, insurers must send a written notice of overdue premiums and warn of pending lapse before terminating coverage.
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The policy may still be enforceable. Beneficiaries can challenge the lapse based on the insurer’s failure to provide required notice.
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Yes. If the insured dies during the grace period, the policy is still considered active, and benefits should be paid.
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Yes. In group life insurance policies, employers sometimes fail to forward premiums properly, leading to wrongful lapse denials.
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Yes. If automatic payment setups fail through no fault of the insured, lapses may be challenged.
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Some policies automatically borrow against cash value to cover missed payments. Failure to apply this correctly can lead to wrongful lapse claims.
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Possibly. Some courts excuse nonpayment if the insured was mentally incapacitated and missed premiums without proper notice.
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No. Reinstatement must occur while the insured is alive, but wrongful lapse denials can still be challenged posthumously.
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Not without following strict notice and grace period rules. Beneficiaries can often challenge technical denials.
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Deadlines vary by state, but it’s critical to act within 1 to 5 years depending on the policy and jurisdiction.
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Not necessarily. Payments mailed within grace periods or accepted by insurers may keep coverage active.
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Bank records, payment receipts, insurer correspondence, and premium notices are key evidence.
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If the insurer used an outdated address despite updated information, lapse denials can often be overturned.
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Possibly. If the insured submitted a reinstatement application before death, it may help challenge a lapse denial.
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In some states, special grace periods and protections applied during COVID-19 emergencies. They can help fight wrongful lapses.
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Only if the insurer followed all legal notice and grace period requirements. Otherwise, beneficiaries may still recover.
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Misapplied premiums can lead to wrongful lapses — and courts often hold insurers accountable for these errors.
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An attorney can obtain records, challenge improper lapses, negotiate settlements, and litigate if necessary to enforce payment.
Our Clients Speak Volumes
The Right Choice for Your Claim
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“They said my brother’s death during a jet ski accident wasn’t covered because it was a high-risk activity. Lassen Law Firm carefully reviewed the policy and forced the insurer to pay up. Their legal arguments were rock solid.”- Laura P.
Why The Lassen Law Firm Is Different
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Proven National ResultsRepresenting clients coast to coast and recovering hundreds of millions in denied life insurance claims, we secure justice and peace of mind for families everywhere.
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Recognized ExpertisePerfect 10.0 Avvo rating endorsed by over 1,700 attorneys; life member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum; ranked among the top 1 percent of lawyers nationally for life insurance litigation.
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Client-First AdvocacyNo upfront fees: our contingency fee guarantee aligns our interests with yours; we provide personalized, compassionate representation from your initial consultation through resolution.
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Media & Community LeadershipQuoted in The Wall Street Journal and featured in leading legal publications; frequent speaker at national conferences; dedicated to charitable efforts supporting pediatric cancer care.