Life Insurance Lawyer Savannah GA
"Life Insurance Lawyers for Savannah, GA – The Lassen Law Firm" In Savannah, a city where Southern charm meets historic beauty, navigating life insurance claims can still be a difficult and emotional process—especially when benefits are unfairly denied or delayed. At The Lassen Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping families and individuals in Savannah secure the financial protection they deserve. Whether you’re near the iconic Forsyth Park, the vibrant River Street, or in the surrounding neighborhoods, we provide trusted legal expertise and personalized care to guide you through every step of the claims process. Our experienced and trusted Georgia life insurance lawyers are here to help.
With a proven track record of recovering hundreds of millions in life insurance claims nationwide, The Lassen Law Firm delivers compassionate representation, relentless advocacy, and trusted results for Savannah residents seeking justice in their insurance disputes.
2025 Savannah GA Denied Life Insurance Claims
-
Lincoln National interpleader claim $154,000.00
- Kilpatrick Life coronavirus death denied $25,000.00
- Standard Insurance misrepresentation $36,000.00
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment Savannah GA $50,000.00
- Texas Service Life COVID-19 death denied claim $22,000.00
- Banner Life 2 year contestable period $55,000.00
- American United beneficiary dispute $151,000.00
- Savannah Georgia denied life insurance claim $600,000.00
- Prudential life insurance claim shooting death $89,000.00
- Penn Mutual auto-erotic asphyxiation denial $267,000.00
- Gerber dispute among beneficiaries $144,000.00
- Beneficial Life act of war exclusion $20,000.00
- Shelter Life chronic illness exclusion $10,000.00
Questions about life insurance claims in Savannah, Georgia
Can a Savannah life insurance claim be denied if the insured failed to disclose past outpatient treatment?
Yes, if the treatment was material and the death occurred within Georgia’s two-year contestability period. For example, if a policyholder visited Memorial Health outpatient services for a heart condition and didn’t disclose it, and later died from cardiac issues, the insurer may challenge the claim.
What happens if a Savannah policyholder died before submitting the final version of the life insurance application?
If a premium was paid and conditional coverage was issued, the insurer may still owe the benefit. A case where someone died between paying and finalizing documents often hinges on whether temporary coverage had already attached.
Can a life insurance claim in Savannah be denied because the policyholder had an incorrect occupation listed?
Only if the misstatement impacted underwriting decisions. For instance, if someone listed their occupation as "office clerk" instead of "offshore welder," and high-risk factors were hidden, the insurer might deny—but for minor discrepancies, denials are often overturned.
Does Georgia law allow a Savannah insurer to deny a claim based solely on family medical history?
No. Even if a policyholder forgot to disclose a parent’s cancer diagnosis, the insurer must show that the omission materially altered the risk, not simply that hereditary risks exist.
What if a Savannah life insurance policy was changed just before the insured’s death and family members weren’t notified?
Family notification is not legally required. However, if a last-minute beneficiary change occurred while the insured was hospitalized at St. Joseph’s/Candler, for example, the change could be challenged based on undue influence.
Can a Savannah insurer delay a claim indefinitely while requesting additional documents?
No. Georgia law mandates prompt action. If an insurer keeps demanding unnecessary paperwork for months, the beneficiary can file a bad faith complaint and seek additional damages.
Can a handwritten note found after death change the beneficiary on a Savannah life insurance policy?
No. For example, if a handwritten note found in a safety deposit box names a different beneficiary, it won’t override the insurer’s officially recorded designation unless court intervention proves fraud or incapacity.
Are Savannah life insurance claims affected if the policyholder died while on vacation in another state?
No. Whether death occurs at home or during a beach trip to Tybee Island, coverage remains valid unless the policy has specific exclusions based on location.
Can an employer in Savannah be held liable if a life insurance policy was never processed despite employee enrollment?
Yes. If a Savannah hospital accepted an employee’s election for life insurance but failed to complete activation, the employer could be sued for negligence resulting in wrongful denial.
What if a Savannah life insurance policy lapsed due to a bank account change and the insured never received notice?
If the bank account was updated and the insurer didn't send notices to the new address, Georgia law allows beneficiaries to contest a lapse-based denial for inadequate notice.
Can a Savannah life insurance claim be denied due to minor errors on the application, like the wrong birth year?
Minor typos, like listing 1974 instead of 1975 as a birth year, usually aren’t grounds for denial unless they affected underwriting decisions like age-based premiums.
How are disputes handled in Savannah when two people claim the same life insurance benefit?
The insurer may file an interpleader action in Chatham County courts. A judge then reviews evidence—such as the timing of beneficiary forms—to decide who receives the payout.
Can an ex-spouse in Savannah receive life insurance benefits if the divorce decree didn’t mention the policy?
Georgia law typically revokes ex-spouse designations at divorce. If an ex-spouse was still listed but no reaffirmation happened post-divorce, the benefit may pass to alternate beneficiaries or the estate.
Does suicide automatically disqualify life insurance payouts in Savannah?
Only if the death occurred within two years of the policy's start date. After two years, even if the death is ruled suicide, Georgia law requires insurers to pay the full death benefit.
Can a Savannah life insurance claim be denied for undisclosed past substance abuse?
Possibly, if death occurs within the contestability period and the omission was intentional. However, if past substance use was unrelated to the cause of death, beneficiaries may argue against denial.
Is a life insurance policy still valid in Savannah if the company no longer exists?
Yes. If an insurer like an old Georgia-based company fails, the Georgia Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association may cover the claim up to statutory limits.
What should a Savannah beneficiary do if the insurer denies a claim without reviewing all medical records?
Demand a complete review and escalate complaints to the Georgia Department of Insurance. A rushed or incomplete denial could be grounds for a bad faith lawsuit.
Can a Savannah life insurance policy be contested based on undue influence if the beneficiary was a caregiver?
Yes. If a home health aide or nurse was suddenly named beneficiary while the insured was bedridden, Georgia courts may examine whether manipulation or pressure occurred.
Can a life insurance claim in Savannah be denied if the policyholder took out a loan against the policy?
No. Only the outstanding loan balance and accrued interest are deducted. For example, if a $10,000 loan existed against a $100,000 policy, the payout would still be $90,000.
Are Savannah life insurance claims taxable or subject to estate recovery in Georgia?
Life insurance paid directly to a named beneficiary is not taxable income and is protected from most estate creditors. However, if no beneficiary is listed and the funds flow into probate, they could be exposed to creditor claims.
For more information on insurance regulations and consumer protections in Georgia, you can visit the Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner or explore nationwide insurance resources through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).