Life Insurance Lawyer Florida

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


Life insurance companies in Florida don’t always honor their obligations, and families are sometimes left without the support they were promised. If you're facing a denied life insurance claim in Florida, The Lassen Law Firm is here to pursue justice and work to secure the benefits that rightfully belong to you.

Florida sees frequent life insurance beneficiary disputes, often involving ex-spouses, updated designations, or allegations of undue influence. If you're facing a life insurance beneficiary dispute in Florida, The Lassen Law Firm can help you take legal action to enforce your rights and secure the benefits intended for you.

When life insurance beneficiaries disagree in Florida, insurers commonly file an interpleader lawsuit in Florida, asking the court to resolve the dispute and distribute the proceeds properly.

Experienced Life Insurance Lawyers Florida: The Lassen Law Firm

Life insurance claims in Florida can present unique challenges, particularly when dealing with denied benefits or bad faith insurance practices. At The Lassen Law Firm, we’re committed to helping Floridians navigate these complexities and secure the payouts they deserve. Our Florida life insurance lawyers serve clients across the state, including Miami, Tampa, Orlando, St Petersburg, Hialeah, Tallahassee, Cape Coral, Fort Lauderdale, and Jacksonville.

As experienced life insurance attorneys handling cases across all 50 states, we’ve recovered hundreds of millions in policies for our clients. The Lassen Law Firm combines expertise, dedication, and personalized attention to ensure justice is served for individuals and families alike. 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 24 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.

Denied a Life Insurance Claim in Florida? Our Attorneys Are Ready to Help

Life insurance is meant to provide families with stability and peace of mind after the death of a loved one. Yet in Florida, too many beneficiaries face obstacles when trying to collect life insurance proceeds. Insurance companies often deny valid claims, delay payment unnecessarily, or attempt to underpay. If your life insurance claim has been denied, our experienced Florida life insurance attorneys can step in and help you fight for the benefits you deserve.

Insurers know that grieving families are vulnerable. They may use complicated policy language, vague exclusions, or strict interpretations of minor errors to avoid paying out benefits. These tactics can leave families struggling — but you are not without recourse. We handle life insurance disputes on a contingency basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover benefits for you.

Reasons Life Insurance Companies Deny Claims in Florida

Every denied claim has its own backstory. However, certain patterns are common when it comes to life insurance denials in Florida. These include:

  • Claims of Misrepresentation: Insurers may accuse the insured of failing to disclose important information on the application, such as health conditions, lifestyle risks, or prior medical treatments.

  • Policy Lapses for Alleged Nonpayment: A missed payment may cause a lapse, but insurers in Florida must meet specific notification requirements before terminating coverage.

  • Deaths Occurring During the Contestability Period: If the insured died within two years after purchasing the policy, insurers often conduct detailed investigations looking for reasons to deny based on the application.

  • Exclusion Clauses: Certain causes of death — such as suicide, drug overdose, or hazardous activities — may be excluded depending on how the policy is written.

  • Disputed Beneficiaries: If the named beneficiary was changed near the end of the insured’s life, or if multiple parties claim the right to benefits, insurers may delay or refuse payment.

  • Group Life Insurance Errors: Mistakes by employers in administering group life policies can leave families unexpectedly uninsured or fighting for promised benefits.

  • Delays Related to Criminal Investigations: If the cause of death is under investigation, insurers often hold payment, sometimes beyond what is reasonable.

These denials often seem final, but many can be challenged — and successfully overturned — with the right legal approach.

Understanding the Role of the Contestability Period in Florida Life Insurance Claims

Florida law allows life insurers to challenge claims more aggressively during the first two years after a policy is issued. This timeframe, known as the contestability period, gives insurers the opportunity to rescind policies based on material misstatements discovered after the death of the insured.

However, the contestability period does not give insurers unlimited power. The alleged misstatement must be material — it must have influenced the insurer’s decision to issue the policy or set its terms. Simple mistakes, minor errors, or irrelevant omissions are typically not enough to justify denial under Florida law.

If an insurer in Florida cites a contestability investigation as the reason for denying your claim, it’s important to seek experienced legal representation to ensure your rights are protected.

What to Do After a Life Insurance Claim Denial in Florida

The steps you take immediately after a life insurance denial can heavily influence the outcome of your case. If you’ve been notified that a claim has been denied:

  • Request the full policy and any related application materials from the insurance company.

  • Read the denial letter carefully and document the reasons given by the insurer.

  • Preserve all written communication and notes from conversations with the insurance company.

  • Refrain from giving any new statements or submitting documents until you speak with an attorney.

  • Contact a Florida life insurance lawyer who can review your situation and develop a plan to challenge the denial.

Insurance companies often set strict appeal deadlines, especially for group life insurance claims governed by ERISA. Delays can cost you your rights, so it’s important to act swiftly.

How Our Florida Life Insurance Attorneys Pursue Wrongfully Denied Claims

Our attorneys understand the strategies insurance companies use — and we know how to beat them. Whether your denial stems from alleged misrepresentation, policy lapse, beneficiary disputes, or exclusions, we are prepared to challenge the insurer’s decision through negotiation, administrative appeals, or litigation if necessary.

When you hire us to handle your Florida life insurance claim, we will:

  • Examine the policy terms, application, and denial letter for weaknesses in the insurer’s arguments.

  • Gather evidence to counter claims of misrepresentation, nonpayment, or exclusion.

  • Manage all communications and negotiations with the insurer on your behalf.

  • File an appeal or lawsuit if necessary to enforce your rights.

  • Pursue damages for bad faith conduct if the insurer’s actions violated Florida’s insurance laws.

Our commitment is to secure the full policy benefits for you as quickly as possible — without unnecessary delay or drawn-out battles.

Florida Denied Life Insurance Claims: Answers to Common Questions

What should I do if my life insurance claim was denied in Florida?

You should consult a Florida life insurance attorney immediately. For example, we recently helped a widow recover full benefits after the insurer wrongly claimed the policy had lapsed due to a paperwork error.

What if I’ve been served with an interpleader lawsuit involving a Florida life insurance policy?

You must respond in court to protect your rights. In one recent case, we defended a rightful beneficiary who almost lost the payout because they didn’t initially realize a legal response was required.

How do I handle a beneficiary dispute in Florida?

Legal help is critical. We recently resolved a case where an ex-spouse and a new spouse were both claiming the same life insurance proceeds after a sudden death.

Why would a Florida accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) claim be denied?

Insurers often argue that the death wasn't truly accidental. In one case, we successfully contested a denial where a car crash was blamed on a medical condition, even though crash reports proved it was accidental.

Can a life insurance claim be denied in Florida due to a policy lapse?

Yes, but many denials are improper. For instance, we overturned a denial where the insurer had failed to send required lapse notices under Florida law before declaring the policy canceled.

Is a claim denial due to misrepresentation on the application valid in Florida?

Only if the misrepresentation was material and intentional. We won a case where the insurer cited a minor error about the insured’s weight—an irrelevant fact unrelated to the cause of death.

Can a claim be denied because alcohol was involved in the insured’s death?

Possibly, but it’s not automatic. We forced payment in a case where alcohol was present but had no real connection to the fatal fall that triggered the claim.

How does the contestability period affect life insurance claims in Florida?

During the first two years, insurers can contest claims based on alleged misstatements. Recently, we beat a contestability denial where the issue had nothing to do with the cause of death.

What should I do if my denial letter says Florida law supports the denial?

Get a legal review. We found in one case that the insurer misquoted Florida law entirely to scare the beneficiary into abandoning the claim.

Which life insurance companies deny the most claims in Florida?

Companies like Florida Combined Life and American Fidelity are frequently cited in denied claims. We’ve challenged and beaten denials from these and many others.

What happens if the insured died during a high-risk activity like skydiving?

Some policies exclude extreme sports, but exclusions must be specific. We secured a payout for a family even after an insurer tried to deny coverage for a recreational parachuting accident.

Can I fight a denial where the insurer claims the death was suspicious or under investigation?

Yes. For example, we overturned a delay where the insurer cited “pending investigation” even though there was no criminal inquiry related to the death.

What if the insurer says a condition was omitted from the application?

They must show it was material. We successfully recovered benefits when an insurer tried to deny a claim over an omitted minor knee surgery that had nothing to do with the death.

Can I still collect if the insured died in another country?

Often, yes. In a recent case, we won payment after an insurer denied a claim because the insured died of natural causes while traveling in South America—even though no valid exclusion applied.

Does Florida have an automatic revocation law for ex-spouses named as life insurance beneficiaries?

Yes. We represented a daughter who recovered the benefit after an insurer incorrectly paid it to the deceased’s ex-spouse in violation of Florida’s revocation-upon-divorce statute.

Is Florida a community property state, and can a spouse claim life insurance proceeds?

No, Florida isn't community property. However, we helped a surviving spouse claim a share of the proceeds by proving marital funds were used to pay policy premiums.

Can a will override a named life insurance beneficiary in Florida?

No. The policy controls. In one case, a relative tried to rely on a new will to claim life insurance proceeds, but we preserved the original beneficiary’s rights under the policy.

What if a life insurance agent filled out the application incorrectly?

The insurer may still be liable. We defended a claim where the agent misreported medical history, yet the insured had disclosed everything honestly during the application process.

What if the policy was recently changed and a new beneficiary was added?

Late beneficiary changes are often suspicious. We successfully challenged a last-minute change made while the insured was hospitalized and clearly incapacitated.

Can I file a lawsuit if my Florida life insurance claim is delayed for too long?

Yes. In one case, we filed a bad faith lawsuit after an insurer delayed payment for eight months without justification—and recovered both the benefit and extra damages.

2025 Florida Denied Life Insurance Claims: Settlements & verdicts

Below are examples of Florida life insurance claims successfully resolved.

  • JRC Life alcohol denial $130,000.00
  • AARP coronavirus rejected $103,700.00
  • Denied FEGLI claim Florida $239,000.00
  • Liberty National suicide exclusion $211,000.00
  • Nassau COVID-19 not known illness $116,000.00
  • Stonebridge beneficiary dispute $306,000.00
  • Denied SGLI claim Florida $400,000.00
  • New York Life misrepresentation claim $25,000.00
  • Denied AD&D claim Florida $820,500.00
  • Colonial Penn Life medical records $310,000.00
  • Bank of America nicotine denial $101,400.00
  • Landmark Life benefits rejected $48,000.00
  • Paul Revere autoerotic asphyxiation $205,900.00
  • Bankers Life felony exclusion $23,000.00
  • Dearborn National Life death proceeds delay $11,000.00
  • Great Southern Life asphyxiation death $78,000.00
  • Berkshire Life long delay benefits $36,000.00
  • Garden State Life grace period delay $52,000.00
  • Navy Mutual Life contested beneficiaries $402.981.00
  • Loyal American Life spouse override beneficiary $39,000.00
  • Franklin Life cancer death medical records $85,000.00
  • Trinity Life accidental suicide denied $72,000.00
  • Legacy Life contestable period $239,000.00
  • KY Life girlfriend versus ex-wife $80,000.00
  • Industrial Life medical record issue $62,000.00
  • Chase Life lapse of policy issue $50,000.00
  • Denied Life Insurance Claim Florida $750,000.00
  • American Equity Life health issue $180,000.00
  • Triple AAA Life went to ER not in records $40,000.00
  • US Financial Life self-inflicted injury won $87,000.00
  • Zurich American Life 4 month lapse $30,000.00
  • Southern Farm Bureau power of attorney $76,000.00
  • Country Financial last minute change $35,000.00
  • USAA Life drug exclusion $20,000.00
  • Baltimore Life claim rejected by insurance co $66,000.00
  • Veterans Group Life interpleader lawsuit $407,000.00
  • Fabric Life competing beneficiaries won $50,000.00
  • AXA Equitable material misrepresentation $88,000.00
  • Stonebridge t Life doctor visit on medical records $12,000.00
  • Chubb Life changed by power of attorney $25,000.00
  • Guarantee Security COVID-19 denied $392,000.00
  • First Capital Life long delay of benefits $41,000.00
  • Cigna beneficiary dispute interpleader $322,000.00
  • National Western application misrepresentation $103,500.00
  • Jacksonville material misrepresentation application $750,000.00
  • Globe divorce issue resolved settlement $127,000.00
  • Denied FEGLI claim that we obtained fast $290,000.00
  • FEGLI case Fort Lauderdale beneficiary $130,000.00
  • Port St Lucie foreign death case settled $800,000.00
  • Orlando dangerous activity skydiving case $1,040,000.00
  • Iowa Farm sickness exclusion that we won $258,000.00
  • Clearwater appeal of bad faith denial benefits $609,000.00
  • West Palm Beach mistake social security number $203,000.00
  • Florida denied life insurance claim $2,500,000.00
  • American Heritage illegal drug overdose $215,320.00
  • Denied SGLI claim beneficiary dispute $403,721.00
  • AAA misstatement of age on app $376,000.00
  • Miami denied life insurance claim resolved $5,000,000.00
  • AIG accidental death and dismemberment $407,500.00
  • Miramar alleged fraud successfully resolved $233,000.00
  • Tampa bad faith life insurance claim case $823,000.00
  • Pompano Beach agent answered questions $275,000.00
  • State Farm autoerotic asphyxiation death $305,800.00
  • Nasty divorce settlement court orders $500,000.00
  • National Life interpleader dispute settled $311,250.00
  • Denied AD&D claim due to skydiving accident $240,000.00
  • Cape Coral bad faith life insurance case $840,000.00
  • Palm Bay delay asking for medical records $213,000.00
  • A suspicious circumstances death $105,000.00
  • Boca Raton caregiver versus daughter $707,000.00
  • American Heritage death felony exclusion $150,000.00
  • SGLI Life beneficiary change to brother $400,000.00
  • Palm Beach dispute by ex-wife of policy $3,500,000.00
  • Miami Gardens missed question on application $414,000.00
  • Hialeah nonpayment of premiums case $230,000.00
  • Denied life insurance claim Florida $840,000.00
  • AARP lapse of the policy in nursing home $209,000.00
  • CIGNA life self-inflicted injury denial $231,900.00
  • Gainesville policy less than 2 years old $303,000.00
  • Tallahassee ambiguous policy language $472,000.00
  • Pioneer Security spouse and ex-spouse $330,000.00
  • Citizens foreign death exclusion Russia $245,000.00
  • Vero Beach contested the beneficiary $113,000.00
  • American Income undue influence caregiver $517,000.00

Every denied claim is unique. In Florida, we know how to maximize your chance of recovering the full life insurance payout.

Legal References – Florida

  • Florida Contestability Clause Law: Under Fla. Stat. § 627.455, life insurance policies in Florida become incontestable after being in force for two years, except in cases of nonpayment of premiums. During the contestability period, insurers can deny a claim if they prove that the insured made a material misrepresentation in the application.

  • Automatic Revocation of Ex-Spouse Beneficiaries: Pursuant to Fla. Stat. § 732.703, a divorce or annulment automatically revokes the designation of a former spouse as a beneficiary on a life insurance policy, unless the policyholder reaffirms the designation after the dissolution of marriage or the policy explicitly states otherwise.

  • Community Property Laws: Florida is not a community property state, so a surviving spouse is not automatically entitled to life insurance proceeds unless named as the beneficiary or granted rights through a court order or marital agreement.

  • ERISA & Group Policies: Life insurance policies provided through an employer and governed by ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) may preempt Florida’s revocation and spousal rights laws, especially when federal beneficiary designations are involved.

For more information on insurance regulations and consumer protections in Florida, you can visit the Florida Department of Financial Services or explore nationwide insurance resources through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).


The Lassen Law Firm is a national practice focused exclusively on life insurance litigation. Founded by Christian Lassen, Esq., the firm has recovered hundreds of millions for clients in all 50 states. All website content is written or reviewed by Mr. Lassen personally to ensure accuracy and authority.