San Francisco Life Insurance Lawyer
In San Francisco, where innovation thrives and culture shapes daily life, life insurance should provide certainty not conflict. But when a claim is denied, delayed, or disputed, families are often left navigating complex policies and insurance tactics at the worst possible time. At The Lassen Law Firm, we help San Francisco residents fight back and recover the benefits their loved ones intended.
Led by attorney Christian Lassen, our firm focuses exclusively on life insurance disputes. With over 25 years of experience and hundreds of millions recovered, we deliver powerful legal advocacy with the personal attention Bay Area families deserve.
Why San Francisco Clients Choose The Lassen Law Firm
Life Insurance Law Only: We don’t split our practice across unrelated areas. Every case we handle is a life insurance dispute.
Nationwide Strength, California Focus: We represent clients across California, including those with federal, group, or private life insurance policies.
Attorney-Led Strategy: Clients work directly with Christian Lassen, ensuring experienced oversight and personalized attention every step of the way.
Results for Families in San Francisco
$154,000 recovered for a Marina District client after MetLife denied benefits over alleged misstatements in the application. We obtained records proving the insurer had full access to accurate disclosures.
$49,000 secured in a Prudential case involving a cancer-related death. The claim was wrongfully denied based on outdated exclusion language. Our appeal reversed the decision in full.
$338,000 obtained in a Sunset District case after a Northwestern Mutual policy was challenged in an interpleader action. We resolved the dispute and recovered the full payout for our client.
Life Insurance Disputes We Handle in San Francisco
Accidental Death Denials (AD&D): Including exclusions involving alleged intoxication, unsafe conduct, or travel-related events.
Lapse and Grace Period Disputes: We review premium notices and employer communications to determine whether coverage was terminated lawfully.
Application Misrepresentation Allegations: Insurers often use minor discrepancies to void valid claims. We expose these tactics with documentation and expert support.
Contested Beneficiaries and Interpleaders: We help rightful claimants win disputes involving former spouses, incomplete change forms, or multiple competing claims.
Federal and Group Policy Denials: We handle denied claims under SGLI, FEGLI, and ERISA plans offered through Bay Area tech firms, hospitals, and universities.
San Francisco Neighborhoods and Communities We Serve
We represent clients throughout San Francisco and nearby areas, including:
Financial District
Mission District
Pacific Heights
Bernal Heights
Haight-Ashbury
Noe Valley
Marina District
The Richmond
The Sunset
SOMA
Glen Park
Castro District
Whether your claim involves a private insurer like State Farm, an employer-sponsored plan, or a federal benefit, we have the legal strength and experience to help you recover.
What to Expect from Our Firm
Thorough claim review and strategy
Direct communication with insurers or opposing counsel
Administrative appeals and litigation when necessary
Clear updates and compassionate, aggressive representation
No Fees Unless We Win
We charge no fees unless we recover for you. Consultations are always 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
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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“My mom died after a non-traditional medical procedure, and the insurer refused to pay. Lassen Law proved the treatment had nothing to do with the cause of death. They fought like it was their own family involved.”- Emily N.
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.