Foreign Death Claims Fact Sheet

Christian Lassen, Esq. | Quoted in The Wall Street Journal | 25 Years Experience Helping beneficiaries nationwide resolve life insurance disputes when death occurs outside the United States.

What Are Foreign Death Claims?

A foreign death claim arises when the insured passes away outside the U.S. and beneficiaries seek life insurance benefits. These claims often involve additional scrutiny, documentation requirements, and delays. Insurers may deny claims outright if they question the validity of foreign death certificates or dispute whether the death falls within policy terms.

Beneficiaries have the right to challenge wrongful denials and demand proper payment.

Why Foreign Death Claims Get Denied

• Insurers frequently deny or delay foreign death claims for reasons such as:
• Questioning the authenticity of foreign death certificates
• Alleging insufficient documentation or translation errors
• Disputes over cause of death (e.g., accident vs. illness)
• Exclusions for deaths in certain countries or regions
• Alleged fraud or misrepresentation involving foreign records
• Delays in communication between foreign authorities and U.S. insurers
• ERISA or federal program rules requiring strict proof of loss compliance

What To Do If Your Claim Was Denied

1. Request the denial letter and claims file from the insurer.
2. Obtain certified copies of foreign death certificates and medical records.
3. Secure official translations of all foreign documents.
4. Consult an experienced life insurance attorney familiar with foreign death disputes.
5. Act quickly deadlines for appeals and lawsuits are strict.

Your Legal Rights

• Insurers must prove valid grounds for denial.
• Beneficiaries can challenge denials based on inadequate documentation or improper exclusions.
• Courts often side with beneficiaries when insurers misuse foreign documentation issues to avoid payment.
• We helped a family recover $350,000 after an insurer denied a claim due to “unverified” foreign death records. By obtaining certified documents and proving the death was validly recorded abroad, we secured full payment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are foreign death certificates valid in U.S. claims? 

A: Yes, insurers must accept properly certified and translated documents.

Q: What if the insurer claims fraud? 

A: Insurers must provide evidence. Beneficiaries can challenge unsupported allegations.

Q: Do foreign deaths take longer to process? 

A: Often, yes, but delays cannot justify wrongful denial.

Q: Do I need an attorney? 

A: Yes, foreign death claims involve complex documentation and legal rules.

How We Help

• Obtain certified foreign death records and translations.
• Challenge wrongful denials based on documentation disputes.
• File lawsuits for breach of contract and bad faith when necessary.
• Secure rightful payouts for families nationwide.

Contact Us

If your life insurance claim was denied due to a foreign death, don’t wait. Insurers count on families giving up. Call 800‑330‑2274 for a free consultation. No fees unless we win.

Key Takeaways

• Foreign death claims face extra scrutiny and delays.
• Insurers often deny claims citing documentation issues.
• Beneficiaries have strong legal rights to challenge denials.
• Prompt legal action increases the chance of success.

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: Dec 7, 2025 | Contact 800-330-2274