Life Insurance Lawyer Iowa

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


In Iowa, beneficiaries can be blindsided when a life insurance provider refuses to pay after a loved one’s death. If you’re dealing with a rejected life insurance claim in Iowa, The Lassen Law Firm can help you challenge the denial and pursue the benefits your family was promised.

In Iowa, beneficiary disputes often surface when life insurance policies name outdated or contested recipients, creating confusion and legal conflict. If you're facing a life insurance beneficiary dispute in Iowa, The Lassen Law Firm can step in to clarify your rights and fight for the benefits you're entitled to.

When there’s uncertainty over who should receive life insurance proceeds in Iowa, insurers often initiate an interpleader lawsuit in Iowa, placing the decision in the hands of the court.

Experienced Life Insurance Lawyers Iowa: The Lassen Law Firm

Life insurance claims in Iowa can be challenging, especially when insurance companies deny benefits or act in bad faith. That’s where The Lassen Law Firm comes in. We proudly serve clients across the Hawkeye State, from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids, Davenport to Sioux City, and everywhere in between, helping individuals and families recover the benefits they’re entitled to.

As experienced life insurance attorneys handling cases nationwide, our results speak volumes—with hundreds of millions in policies recovered. At The Lassen Law Firm, we combine legal expertise with compassionate, results-driven representation to ensure justice for every client. 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.

Life Insurance Claim Denied in Iowa? We’re Ready to Stand with You

Life insurance is a promise — a financial safety net designed to protect loved ones after a loss. Unfortunately, in Iowa, insurance companies sometimes fail to honor that promise. If you are dealing with a denied life insurance claim, you don’t have to face the battle alone. Our Iowa life insurance attorneys are prepared to stand up to the insurance company and fight for the benefits you deserve.

Insurance companies know that families are vulnerable after a death. They sometimes deny claims based on technicalities, vague policy language, or disputed facts, hoping beneficiaries will walk away. You have legal rights under Iowa law, and with experienced representation, many denials can be successfully challenged. We offer free consultations and only collect a fee if we recover money for you.

Why Life Insurance Companies Deny Claims in Iowa

Each denial has its own story, but there are familiar patterns in the reasons insurers give for rejecting life insurance claims. In Iowa, common issues include:

  • Alleged Misstatements on the Application: Insurers may claim the insured failed to disclose critical information such as a pre-existing condition, lifestyle risks, or smoking history.

  • Lapses Due to Nonpayment: If premiums are missed, insurers may argue that the policy lapsed. However, Iowa law requires clear and timely notices before termination.

  • Exclusions for Certain Types of Deaths: Policies may exclude deaths from suicide (within a set period), drug overdose, aviation activities, or criminal acts, depending on the policy language.

  • Beneficiary Challenges: Disputes between current spouses, former spouses, and children can lead insurers to delay or withhold payment.

  • Mistakes in Employer-Sponsored Group Life Insurance: Administrative errors in group plans can leave families without the coverage they were promised.

  • Delays Tied to Criminal Investigations: If the insured’s death is under investigation, insurers may delay payment — but delays must be reasonable and not open-ended.

Just because a claim is denied does not mean the insurer’s decision will hold up. Our attorneys are skilled at finding the weaknesses in their reasoning and demanding full benefits.

Understanding the Contestability Period in Iowa Life Insurance Policies

In Iowa, most life insurance policies include a two-year contestability period following their issuance. During this time, insurers may investigate claims and rescind policies if they discover material misrepresentations made on the application. After the two-year window closes, insurers generally cannot deny claims unless they can prove outright fraud.

It’s critical to understand that not every error or omission will support a denial. Only material misstatements — ones that would have influenced the insurer’s decision to issue the policy or set premiums — qualify under Iowa law. Honest mistakes, misunderstandings, or irrelevant omissions usually cannot be used as valid grounds for denial.

If your claim has been denied based on contestability issues, legal review is essential. Many insurers overreach, hoping beneficiaries won’t push back.

What to Do After a Life Insurance Claim Denial in Iowa

Time is a crucial factor after receiving a life insurance denial. Here’s how you can protect your rights:

  • Request and keep copies of the full policy, application documents, and any amendments.

  • Carefully review the denial letter and document the insurer’s stated reasons.

  • Preserve all correspondence and communications with the insurance company.

  • Avoid providing further information to the insurer without consulting an attorney first.

  • Contact an Iowa life insurance lawyer immediately to assess your options and begin building your case.

Strict deadlines often apply, especially in cases involving employer-sponsored (ERISA-governed) policies. Taking action promptly can make a significant difference in the outcome of your claim.

How Our Iowa Life Insurance Attorneys Help Beneficiaries

Our team focuses exclusively on assisting beneficiaries who face denied or delayed life insurance claims. When you choose us, we will:

  • Conduct a detailed review of your policy and the insurer’s denial.

  • Investigate all relevant facts, communications, and legal defenses.

  • Handle direct negotiations with the insurer on your behalf.

  • Prepare and submit appeals when required under ERISA or policy terms.

  • File lawsuits against insurers who refuse to pay legitimate claims.

  • Pursue bad faith claims when the insurance company’s conduct violates Iowa law.

We are committed to delivering the results you deserve — full policy benefits, prompt action, and, when warranted, additional compensation for bad faith behavior.

Iowa Denied Life Insurance Claims: Answers to Common Questions

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

Contact an Iowa life insurance attorney immediately. We recently reversed a denial for a Des Moines family where the insurer cited a technicality that didn't apply to the case.

What happens if I’ve been named in a life insurance interpleader lawsuit in Iowa?

Hire legal counsel. In Cedar Rapids, we helped a daughter secure her rightful share when an insurer filed interpleader between her and a distant cousin.

Can a lawyer help me resolve a beneficiary dispute over a life insurance policy in Iowa?

Absolutely. We handled a case in Davenport where a late-stage caregiver change was overturned, restoring the original adult children as beneficiaries.

Why do insurers deny AD&D life insurance claims in Iowa?

They often blame medical causes or alcohol. In Council Bluffs, we overturned a denial where a farming accident was wrongfully classified as a heart attack.

Is a policy lapse a legitimate reason for denial in Iowa?

Not always. We forced reinstatement of a policy after proving an insurer failed to properly notify the insured about an alleged missed payment in Ames.

Can misstatements on a life insurance application cause a denial in Iowa?

Only if they're material and intentional. We reversed a denial in Sioux City where the insurer claimed a minor undisclosed allergy was enough to void the policy.

Does Iowa law allow insurers to deny claims based on alcohol exclusions?

They can try, but we fought and won a case where alcohol was not the true cause of a boating accident that led to death.

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

Act fast. We recently filed a winning appeal for an Iowa City nurse whose hospital-provided ERISA policy was wrongly denied based on a minor paperwork error.

Can I appeal a denial based on the contestability period in Iowa?

Yes. We successfully defeated a contestability denial where the insurer accused the insured of misrepresenting cholesterol levels that had nothing to do with the cause of death.

My claim was denied based on Iowa law—can I still fight it?

Definitely. In one West Des Moines case, we proved the insurer incorrectly applied Iowa Code §633.264 regarding beneficiary rights.

Which life insurance companies deny the most claims in Iowa?

We see frequent denials from Fidelity & Guarantee Life, American Equity Investment Life, and Principal Life Insurance Company.

Does Iowa revoke ex-spouse beneficiary designations after divorce?

Yes. We helped a widow recover proceeds after an ex-spouse wrongfully claimed benefits under an outdated designation in Waterloo.

Is Iowa a community property state, and does that impact life insurance?

No. But we enforced a spouse’s financial interest when a disputed policy involved marital funds used to pay premiums.

Can a will override the beneficiary listed on a life insurance policy in Iowa?

No. We defended an original beneficiary in Fort Dodge after a stepchild tried to argue the will should change the payout.

What should I do if the insured died while abroad and the insurer is delaying payment?

We helped a family in Cedar Falls collect after a wrongful denial involving a death during missionary work in Mexico.

Can a last-minute beneficiary change be challenged in Iowa?

Yes. We invalidated a suspicious change made two days before death, restoring the insured's daughter as the rightful beneficiary.

What if the insurer is delaying the claim for no clear reason?

Delays over 30 days often signal bad faith. We secured penalties and interest in a Mason City case where an insurer stalled payout for months.

How do insurers reclassify deaths to avoid paying AD&D benefits in Iowa?

They often label accidents as "health-related." We disproved this in a fatal ATV rollover case outside Cedar Rapids.

Can a policy still be valid if the insurance agent made a mistake?

Yes. In one case, an Ankeny insurance agent misrecorded health details, but we still forced the insurer to honor the policy.

Can I file a bad faith lawsuit against a life insurer in Iowa?

Yes. We sued and recovered extra damages in a Bettendorf case where an insurer flat-out ignored overwhelming medical evidence.

Does a suicide exclusion apply indefinitely in Iowa?

No. We overturned a denial in Dubuque where the death occurred more than four years after the policy began.

Are employer-provided life insurance policies in Iowa governed by ERISA?

Yes. We handle ERISA appeals statewide, including a successful recent case for a teacher in Urbandale.

Can the insurer deny a claim based on a previously undisclosed health condition?

Only if it was intentional and related. We won a case involving an undisclosed knee surgery that had nothing to do with the insured's later accidental death.

What happens if no beneficiary is named on the life insurance policy in Iowa?

Proceeds typically pass to the estate. We helped an estate administrator in Decorah secure payment for heirs.

Can a forged or altered beneficiary designation be challenged in court?

Yes. We successfully invalidated a forged change form submitted by a distant cousin in a Polk County case.

What if the policy was canceled but I never received a notice?

We reinstated a lapsed policy for a grieving spouse in Ottumwa after proving the insurer failed to properly send lapse notices.

Do union or association life insurance policies have different rules in Iowa?

Yes. We resolved a denied claim for a Teamsters union member whose plan had unique administrative appeal requirements.

If I’m one of several beneficiaries, how is the payout divided?

Usually equally unless the policy says otherwise. We protected a co-beneficiary’s 50% share after a dispute in Marion.

Can I file a claim if the insured disappeared and was presumed dead?

Yes. We guided a family through court proceedings after a missing hunter was declared legally deceased in rural Iowa.

How long do I have to appeal a denied life insurance claim in Iowa?

ERISA deadlines can be as short as 60 days; private policies may allow longer. Immediate action is critical.

Are life insurance proceeds protected from creditors in Iowa?

Yes, if paid directly to a named beneficiary. We blocked creditor claims in a Cedar Rapids case where an estate was heavily indebted.

What if the life insurance policy language is unclear?

Ambiguity favors the beneficiary. We used this rule to overturn a vague exclusion denial involving "high-risk hobbies."

Can a canceled policy be reinstated due to improper cancellation procedures?

Yes. We proved procedural errors and secured full payout on a life policy canceled without lawful notice.

Can a child be listed as the life insurance beneficiary in Iowa?

Yes, but we often help families set up custodial trusts, like we did for a minor heir in Johnston.

What happens when multiple people claim the insured promised them the benefit?

Only written designations control. We defended against unsupported verbal promises in a disputed estate case in Sioux Center.

Do life insurance policies exclude deaths that occur during illegal activity in Iowa?

Some do, but exclusions must be specific. We successfully overturned a denial where the alleged "illegal act" was a mere traffic violation.

Can an old denial be reopened in Iowa?

Yes. We reopened and won a denied claim when new medical evidence surfaced after the original appeal deadline passed.

2025 Iowa Denied Life Insurance Claims: settlements & verdicts

Below are examples of Iowa life insurance claims successfully resolved.

  • Liberty misrepresentation on the application $308,430.00
  • Prudential AD&D accidental death denial $512,699.00
  • Waterloo no coverage at the time of death $116,000.00
  • Denied SGLI claim beneficiary dispute $404,200.00
  • Mass shooting life insurance denied $387,000.00
  • ERISA life insurance appeal successfully won $132,000.00
  • Denied FEGLI claim resolved by us $405,300.00
  • Nationwide prescription drug exclusion $271,300.00
  • Transamerica autoerotic asphyxiation death $324,420.00
  • Iowa denied life insurance claim $1,300,00.00
  • Family Heritage delay of benefits medical $168,200.00
  • American General ambiguity on application $419,500.00
  • Athene Life misrepresentation health resolved $201,000.00
  • Des Moines mistake on the application $1,090,000.00
  • Denied AD&D claim heart attack won by us $505,800.00
  • Sioux City ambiguous policy language $573,000.00
  • Davenport dangerous activity exclusion $784,000.00
  • Mass Mutual alcohol exclusion resolved $615,30000
  • Chubb Life insurance claim denial won $101,100.00
  • Iowa bad faith life insurance claim case $837,000.00
  • USAA sickness exclusion paid up $303,150.00
  • Iowa City interpleader lawsuit we won $840,000.00
  • Wilton RE life felony exclusion resolved $303,900.00
  • Denied life insurance claim Iowa $920,600.00
  • Unum long delay no reason $525,750.00
  • AIG prescription exclusion $154,000.00
  • Iowa divorce and life insurance case $712,000.00
  • SGLI beneficiary dispute settled $400,000.00

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

Legal References – Iowa

  • Iowa Contestability Clause Law: Under Iowa Code § 508.28, life insurance policies in Iowa become incontestable after being in force during the lifetime of the insured for two years from the policy's date, except for nonpayment of premiums. During the contestability period, insurers may deny claims based on material misrepresentations made in the application.

  • Automatic Revocation of Ex-Spouse Beneficiaries: According to Iowa Code § 598.20A, a divorce or annulment automatically revokes a former spouse's designation as a beneficiary on a life insurance policy, unless the policyholder reaffirms the designation after the divorce or the policy explicitly states otherwise.

  • Equitable Distribution Laws: Iowa is an equitable distribution state, not a community property state. This means that life insurance proceeds are distributed according to the policy's beneficiary designation, and a surviving spouse is not automatically entitled to the death benefit unless named as a beneficiary or granted rights through a court order or marital agreement. ​

  • ERISA & Group Policies: Employer-provided life insurance policies governed by ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) may preempt Iowa's state laws in cases involving contested beneficiaries, including disputes with former spouses.

For more information on insurance regulations and consumer protections in Iowa, you can visit the Iowa Insurance Division 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.