Delaware Life Insurance Lawyer

Life Insurance Lawyers Serving All 3 Delaware Counties

Christian Lassen, Esq. | 25 Years Experience | Hundreds of Millions Recovered

If your life insurance claim was denied in Delaware, you're not alone and you're not without options. At The Lassen Law Firm, we focus exclusively on life insurance litigation and have helped beneficiaries throughout Delaware recover millions in wrongfully denied death benefits. Whether your case involves a lapse, misrepresentation, policy exclusion, or a contested beneficiary designation, we have the experience to challenge the denial and pursue the full payout.

Led by nationally recognized life insurance attorney Christian Lassen, quoted by The Wall Street Journal and rated 10.0 by AVVO, our firm represents clients across all of Delaware. We handle denied life insurance claims in all 3 counties, and there is never a fee unless we recover for you.

Denied Life Insurance Claim in Delaware? You’re Not Alone.

Delaware residents are often caught off guard when a life insurance company delays or denies a claim without valid justification. If you've experienced a life insurance claim denial in Delaware, The Lassen Law Firm is ready to help you dispute the decision and fight for the full policy benefits you deserve.

In Delaware, life insurance beneficiary disputes can arise when policy changes are questioned or multiple individuals believe they were intended to receive the proceeds. If you're involved in a life insurance beneficiary dispute in Delaware, The Lassen Law Firm can help assert your claim and resolve the dispute through experienced legal guidance.

In Delaware, insurers often use an interpleader action in Delaware when beneficiary disputes arise, placing the life insurance proceeds with the court until the rightful recipient is determined.

As experienced life insurance attorneys handling cases nationwide, we have recovered hundreds of millions in policies for our clients. At The Lassen Law Firm, we are committed to fighting for your rights with unwavering dedication and expertise. Founder Christian Lassen, Esq., grew up in Delaware, and went to A I DuPont High School and the University of Delaware.

Call now for a free consultation to see if we can help you recover your life insurance benefits. No obligation.

Unlike other firms, The Lassen Law Firm exclusively handles denied life insurance claims. With 25 years of experience in this niche, we are recognized as top experts in the field. Our lawyers have earned prestigious awards, including membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and a 10.0 rating on AVVO. No other firm offers the same level of dedication and expertise in denied life insurance cases.

Helping Delaware Families Recover Life Insurance Benefits After a Denial

A denied life insurance claim can feel like a betrayal. Families in Delaware purchase life insurance to protect their loved ones, yet when it’s time for the insurer to pay, many find themselves entangled in delays, denials, or endless requests for additional paperwork. If you are facing a denied claim, you do not have to take on the insurance company alone. Our Delaware life insurance attorneys are prepared to help you fight for the benefits you were promised. If you’ve encountered a denial of an accidental death insurance claim in Delaware, we can help you take the next steps toward recovery.

Insurers are skilled at finding ways to avoid payouts. They may claim technical errors, invoke obscure policy exclusions, or raise questions about the insured’s original application. But having an experienced attorney review your situation can uncover errors in the insurer’s reasoning and lead to a full recovery of the benefits you deserve. We handle life insurance disputes on a contingency basis, if we don’t recover for you, you owe us nothing.

Common Life Insurance Claim Challenges in Delaware

Insurance companies often frame their denials as routine or inevitable, but many claims are denied based on interpretations that can be challenged. Some of the most frequent reasons for life insurance claim problems in Delaware include:

Alleged Falsehoods on Application

If the insurer claims that the insured misrepresented their health, lifestyle, or financial information, they may argue that the policy is void.

Policy Termination for Nonpayment

In Delaware, insurers may argue that a policy ended for nonpayment, but many denials involve a lapse in life insurance coverage that occurred due to their own procedural failures.

Death Occurring During Contestable Period

Deaths within two years of policy issuance often lead insurers to scrutinize applications for discrepancies.

Exclusions for Specific Causes of Death

Certain risks, such as deaths linked to substance use, high-risk hobbies, or suicide, may trigger exclusion clauses depending on the policy’s wording.

Disputes Over Beneficiary Changes

Questions can arise if changes to beneficiary designations were made shortly before the insured’s death, especially if allegations of undue influence are involved.

Mistakes in Group Life Insurance Coverage

Group policies provided through employers are particularly prone to administrative errors that may wrongfully deprive families of benefits.

Delay Tactics During Criminal Investigation

If the insured’s death is under investigation, insurers may use it as an excuse to delay, sometimes beyond reasonable limits.

If your claim has been denied or is languishing in delay, it is important to act quickly. An experienced life insurance attorney can often intervene to force action and secure benefits.

The Contestability Period and Its Role in Delaware Life Insurance Disputes

Delaware life insurance policies typically include a two-year contestability period, during which insurers can rescind coverage if they discover material misstatements on the application. However, after two years, their ability to deny based on the application sharply decreases unless they can prove intentional fraud.

Even within the contestability period, insurers must meet a high standard. A denial must be based on a material misrepresentation, meaning a fact that would have changed the underwriting decision. Innocent errors or irrelevant omissions generally do not justify rescinding a policy under Delaware law.

If your claim is being contested because of alleged application errors, you should not assume the insurer’s position is correct. Our attorneys can review the facts and push back against improper denials.

Immediate Actions to Take After a Life Insurance Denial in Delaware

If you are facing a denied life insurance claim, your next steps are critical. Acting swiftly can preserve important rights and improve your chances of recovery. Here’s what you should do:

• Request a full copy of the policy, including all riders, applications, and amendments.
• Review the denial letter carefully and note the insurer’s stated reasons.
• Preserve all written correspondence, including letters, emails, and call summaries.
• Avoid providing additional statements or signing new documents without legal advice.
• Speak to a Delaware life insurance attorney who can assess your situation and guide you on how to move forward.

Delays work in the insurance company’s favor. Moving quickly shows the insurer you are serious, and having an experienced advocate can prevent costly missteps.

How Our Delaware Life Insurance Attorneys Build Strong Cases

Successfully challenging a life insurance denial requires detailed knowledge of insurance law, contract interpretation, and litigation strategy. When you work with our firm, you benefit from:

• A thorough review of your policy language and the insurer’s basis for denial.
• A critical evaluation of whether alleged misstatements are material under Delaware law.
• Strong negotiation tactics aimed at forcing payment without unnecessary delays.
• Administrative appeal handling if your claim involves group coverage governed by ERISA.
• Aggressive litigation when insurers refuse to act in good faith or comply with policy obligations.
• Pursuit of additional damages if bad faith conduct by the insurer can be proven.

We approach every case with the urgency and determination it deserves. You deserve more than excuses from an insurance company, you deserve the benefits that were promised.

Federal life insurance plans such as SGLI and FEGLI are prone to administrative oversights that can lead to wrongful denials. We assist Delaware beneficiaries in appealing denied Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance claims as well as denied claims under the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance program.

When life insurance is offered through an employer, federal ERISA laws may apply. Our attorneys represent clients throughout Delaware in denied ERISA life insurance matters, helping them challenge employer-sponsored policy denials and navigate complex appeal procedures.

Answers to Common Questions About Life Insurance Denials in Delaware

Can a divorce automatically revoke a life insurance beneficiary in Delaware?

Yes. Delaware law revokes an ex-spouse as beneficiary after divorce unless the designation was reaffirmed or the policy says otherwise. For example, in a case from Milford, we redirected $440,000 to the adult children after an ex-wife tried to collect but had no valid claim due to the revocation statute.

What should I do if my life insurance claim in Delaware is denied?

Contact an attorney immediately. In Dover, we helped a family recover $124,000 after a wrongful denial blamed on missing documentation that the insurer had actually lost.

Can a will override the named beneficiary on a Delaware life insurance policy?

No. The beneficiary on the policy controls. In a Wilmington case, a will left everything to a spouse, but the policy listed a former partner. We defended the named beneficiary and secured a $273,000 payout.

What if the insurer says the policy lapsed for nonpayment?

You can challenge the lapse if proper notice wasn’t sent. In Newark, we proved the insurer mailed notices to the wrong address and recovered the full $200,000 for the family.

Can an insurer delay a Delaware claim indefinitely if the death is under investigation?

No. In Smyrna, we forced a payment after a five-month delay by proving the insurer had no valid reason to keep stalling during a police investigation.

What if the insured died abroad and the insurer denies the claim?

Unless the policy specifically excludes foreign deaths, the claim should be valid. In Rehoboth Beach, we recovered $103,000 for a client whose spouse died while traveling in Italy.

What are common reasons Delaware insurers deny AD&D claims?

They often claim the death wasn’t accidental. In a Seaford case, an insurer labeled a drowning as "natural causes." We brought in experts, proved it was accidental, and recovered $180,000.

How do I respond to an interpleader lawsuit in Delaware?

File a legal response quickly or risk losing your share. In a Georgetown case, we stepped in when siblings disputed a $325,000 policy and secured our client’s rightful half.

Can vague policy wording be used to deny my life insurance claim?

No. Delaware courts interpret ambiguous terms in favor of the beneficiary. In Milford, we won a $101,500 case where the insurer used a vague "high-risk activity" clause.

Can I reopen a denied claim in Delaware if I find new evidence?

Yes. In Dover, we reopened a claim six months after denial by submitting a corrected death certificate. The insurer reversed its position and paid $105,200.

What if an insurance agent made a mistake on the application?

You can still win. In Newark, we reversed a denial where the agent failed to list a medication. We showed the insured had disclosed it verbally, and the family received $125,000.

Can alcohol use be grounds for denial in Delaware?

Only if it directly caused the death. In a Wilmington case, the insurer denied a claim over blood alcohol levels, but we proved the accident was unrelated and recovered $119,000.

What if the insurer blames a misstatement during the contestability period?

They must prove the error was material. In Middletown, we recovered benefits after the insurer tried to rescind coverage due to misstated weight, which had no link to the cause of death.

Can I challenge a last-minute beneficiary change?

Yes. In Elsmere, we contested a change made by a nurse under suspicious circumstances just before the insured passed. The court sided with our client, the original beneficiary.

What happens if no beneficiary is listed on the policy?

Funds go to the estate. In New Castle, we assisted a family with probate proceedings and helped recover the policy’s $253,200 benefit.

Can minors receive life insurance proceeds in Delaware?

Not directly. In Milford, we helped set up a guardianship account after a child was named as beneficiary on a $100,000 policy.

Can I sue for bad faith if my life insurance claim was denied in Delaware?

Yes. In Dover, we sued after a long delay and secured not only the $108,000 policy benefit but also additional compensation for bad faith.

What if the life insurance claim was denied due to suspected suicide?

If outside the exclusion window, suicide isn’t a valid reason for denial. In Wilmington, we reversed a $303,200 denial based on suicide after the policy had been active for over three years.

Can life insurance payouts be seized by creditors in Delaware?

Not if a named beneficiary is alive. In Smyrna, we shielded a $147,000 benefit from creditor claims during estate proceedings.

What if my ERISA group life claim was denied in Delaware?

Appeal it properly and on time. In Milford, we filed a winning ERISA appeal with medical documentation and secured $137,000 for a widow.

Can a change of beneficiary made under pressure be overturned?

Yes. In Centerville, we voided a caregiver’s beneficiary status after showing she used manipulation and intimidation to get listed shortly before death.

Can a life insurance policy still pay if the insured died during illegal activity?

Possibly. In a Dover case, we fought a denial where a traffic citation was used to claim illegal activity. We proved it didn’t disqualify the benefit.

Can I recover life insurance if the insured disappeared and was declared legally dead?

Yes. In Wilmington, we helped a client collect $400,000 after the insured had been missing for years and was officially declared dead.

What if my employer didn’t process my life insurance enrollment correctly?

You may still be covered. In Newark, we recovered benefits from a union policy after proving the employer’s administrative error caused the lapse.

Are verbal promises about life insurance enforceable in Delaware?

No. In Georgetown, we defended a named beneficiary against a relative’s verbal claim and preserved the written designation.

Can the insurer use outdated Delaware law to deny a claim?

Not legally. In Elsmere, we caught an insurer citing repealed statutes and forced them to pay $400,000 after we filed a legal challenge.

What’s the deadline to appeal a denied life insurance claim in Delaware?

Deadlines vary, but some are as short as 60 or 180 days. In Middletown, we saved a claim with only five days remaining on the ERISA appeal window.

Can a will give someone the benefit instead of the named beneficiary?

No. In Milford, we blocked a stepchild’s claim based on a will and secured $321,400 for the person listed on the policy.

Can a life insurance claim be denied if the insured omitted minor health issues?

Only if material. In Dover, we challenged a denial involving undisclosed seasonal allergies and recovered the full benefit.

What if the policy had vague exclusions?

We challenge unclear language. In Greenville, we secured $2,550,000 after defeating a denial based on an ambiguous “sickness exclusion.”

Can multiple people claim a policy if there’s confusion over the beneficiary?

Yes. In Wilmington, we represented one of three claimants in an interpleader. The court awarded our client the full $750,000 based on documented evidence.

What if the insurer denied the claim due to supposed nonpayment but gave no notice?

We can fight that. In Milford, we reinstated coverage and recovered $108,000 after proving the insurer skipped the required lapse notification.

Can vague policy wording help my case in Delaware?

Yes. In Smyrna, we defeated a denial based on poorly defined “dangerous activity” and secured $350,000 for our client.

Do ERISA appeals differ from private policy disputes in Delaware?

Yes. They’re stricter. In Dover, we submitted a detailed appeal and recovered $405,730 before needing to file suit.

Can I be partially paid if I’m one of several beneficiaries?

Yes. In Newark, we defended a beneficiary’s half-share after another sibling tried to claim the entire $253,000 payout.

What if a forgery is suspected in the beneficiary form?

We investigate. In Milford, expert handwriting analysis helped us overturn a forged change and recover the full policy.

Are life insurance policies from decades ago still valid?

Yes. In Wilmington, we recovered $200,000 from a 1980s policy that had never been canceled.

Can a beneficiary be disqualified for criminal conduct?

Sometimes. In Georgetown, we recovered benefits for a contingent beneficiary after the primary was implicated in the insured’s death.

Is Delaware a community property state?

No. But we still helped a widow in Rehoboth Beach claim a portion of life insurance paid with joint marital funds.

What happens if my employer misrepresented my life insurance coverage?

We hold them accountable. In Dover, a worker thought he had $250,000 coverage. We proved it was promised and secured the benefit after his death.

Contact us today for a free consultation.

Written & Reviewed by Christian Lassen, Esq., Nationally recognized life insurance lawyer: 25 years experience, hundreds of millions recovered.  Quoted in The Wall Street Journal ( May 17, 2025).

Last reviewed: June 14, 2025 | Contact 800-330-2274