Life Insurance Lawyer Maryland

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

Families in Maryland may be shocked to learn that a life insurance company has denied their claim based on vague exclusions or technical errors. If you’re facing a life insurance denial issue in Maryland, The Lassen Law Firm can help you hold the insurer accountable and fight for the benefits you’ve been denied.

Life insurance beneficiary disputes in Maryland often stem from contested designations, conflicting wills, or unclear policy amendments. If you're involved in a life insurance beneficiary dispute in Maryland, The Lassen Law Firm can help you take legal action to secure the proceeds you’re entitled to.

In Maryland, insurers facing competing beneficiary claims often turn to the courts by filing an interpleader action in Maryland, allowing a judge to decide who should rightfully receive the life insurance proceeds.

Trusted Life Insurance Lawyers Maryland: The Lassen Law Firm

Life insurance claims in Maryland can be challenging, especially when dealing with denied payouts or bad faith practices. At The Lassen Law Firm, we are here to fight for individuals and families across the Old Line State, ensuring they recover the benefits they rightfully deserve. Whether you’re in Baltimore, Frederick, Rockville MD, Silver Spring, or anywhere else in Maryland, we provide trusted legal expertise tailored to your needs.

As life insurance attorneys handling cases nationwide, we have recovered hundreds of millions in policies for our clients. At The Lassen Law Firm, we combine deep experience, relentless advocacy, and personalized care to deliver justice for our clients. 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 Life Insurance Claim in Maryland? We Are Here to Advocate for You

When you purchase life insurance, it is a commitment — a guarantee that your loved ones will be financially protected. Sadly, in Maryland, many families find themselves facing wrongful claim denials, unexpected delays, or confusing excuses from insurance companies. If you are dealing with a denied life insurance claim, you have the right to challenge it. Our Maryland life insurance attorneys are ready to fight on your behalf and demand the benefits you deserve.

Insurance companies know how to protect their profits. They often deny claims based on technical interpretations of policy language, alleged omissions, or questionable exclusions. But Maryland law provides strong consumer protections, and insurers must follow clear rules. We offer free consultations and represent beneficiaries on a contingency fee basis — you owe nothing unless we recover for you.

Life Insurance Claims and the Contestability Period in Maryland

Most life insurance policies issued in Maryland include a two-year contestability period. During this window, insurers are permitted to investigate claims and rescind coverage if they discover material misrepresentations in the policy application. After the contestability period ends, insurers generally must pay claims unless they can prove intentional fraud.

Even within the contestability period, the standard for denial is strict. The alleged misstatement must be material — meaning it would have affected the insurer’s decision to issue the policy or set premium rates. Minor mistakes, oversights, or irrelevant omissions typically cannot be used to deny benefits under Maryland law.

If your claim is being denied based on contestability arguments, a thorough legal review is essential to determine whether the insurer’s actions are legally justified.

Common Grounds for Life Insurance Claim Denials in Maryland

While the circumstances vary, life insurance companies in Maryland often rely on familiar reasons to deny claims, including:

Accusations of Misrepresentations: Insurers allege that the insured failed to disclose a health condition, medication history, or high-risk activities.
Policy Lapses for Nonpayment: Missed payments can cause lapses, but Maryland law requires insurers to provide clear, advance notice before terminating coverage.
Policy Exclusions: Deaths connected to suicide within the exclusion period, hazardous hobbies, or illegal acts may fall under exclusion clauses depending on the policy.
Beneficiary Disputes: Conflicts over outdated designations, missing signatures, or claims by ex-spouses often lead to delayed or denied payments.
Group Life Insurance Administration Errors: Mistakes made by employers during enrollment or coverage maintenance can result in wrongful denials of group life insurance claims.
Delays Due to Death Investigations: When deaths are under criminal or suspicious circumstances, insurers may delay payouts, but Maryland law requires prompt, good-faith claim resolution.

Insurance companies must act reasonably under Maryland’s Unfair Claims Settlement Practices law. If they fail to do so, you have strong legal remedies available.

What You Should Do After a Life Insurance Denial in Maryland

Taking action immediately after a life insurance claim denial is critical. You should:

Request a complete copy of the insurance policy, the application, and any amendments.
Carefully review the denial letter and document all reasons the insurer provided.
Save copies of all communications, including emails, letters, and summaries of phone conversations.
Avoid providing further information or signing releases without legal advice.
Contact a Maryland life insurance attorney promptly to assess your rights and options.

Strict deadlines may apply, particularly for employer-sponsored group policies governed by ERISA. Early legal intervention can significantly improve your chances of success.

How Our Maryland Life Insurance Attorneys Handle Denied Claims

We bring deep experience and a client-centered approach to every case. When you work with our firm, we will:

Analyze the insurance policy, denial letter, and claim file for violations of Maryland law.
Challenge improper denials based on contestability, exclusions, or alleged lapses.
Communicate directly with insurers to press for timely, full payment.
Handle administrative appeals for group life insurance claims where required.
File lawsuits in Maryland courts when insurers act unreasonably or in bad faith.
Seek additional damages when insurers violate Maryland’s consumer protection laws.

Our mission is to recover every dollar you are entitled to, while holding insurers accountable for unfair treatment when necessary.

Maryland Denied Life Insurance Claims: Answers to Common Questions

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

You should immediately contact a Maryland life insurance attorney. For instance, we helped a family in Annapolis reverse a wrongful denial where the insurer misinterpreted a minor application error.

What if I’ve been served with a life insurance interpleader lawsuit in Maryland?

You must respond. In a Baltimore case, we successfully defended a rightful beneficiary when an ex-spouse and a sibling both filed claims through an interpleader action.

Can a life insurance policy lapse lead to claim denial in Maryland?

Yes, but lapses are often disputed. In Rockville, we overturned a lapse-based denial after showing the insurer failed to send a legally required warning notice.

Is misrepresentation a valid reason for denial in Maryland?

Only if it was intentional and material. We won a case in Towson where the alleged misstatement was minor and unrelated to the insured’s cause of death.

Why would a Maryland accidental death & dismemberment claim be denied?

Insurers frequently misclassify deaths. In a case from Columbia, we fought back when a clear accident was wrongly labeled a natural cause to avoid paying AD&D benefits.

Can an alcohol exclusion be disputed in Maryland life insurance denials?

Yes. We successfully challenged an alcohol exclusion denial in Silver Spring where the insurer couldn’t prove alcohol caused the death.

What are the most common life insurance denial reasons in Maryland?

Typical reasons include alleged misrepresentations, lapse due to non-payment, policy exclusions (like suicide or illegal activity), delayed claims, and beneficiary disputes.

Does Maryland have a law revoking an ex-spouse’s beneficiary rights after divorce?

Yes. In a case out of Frederick, we enforced the revocation statute to protect the decedent’s adult children from a wrongful claim by an ex-spouse.

Is Maryland a community property state, and does it impact life insurance claims?

No, Maryland isn’t a community property state. But in divorce cases, we help clients recover benefits where settlement agreements or marital funds are involved.

Can I appeal an ERISA life insurance denial in Maryland?

Yes. We handle ERISA appeals statewide. In Greenbelt, we reversed a wrongful denial by filing a comprehensive ERISA appeal backed by strong medical evidence.

What happens if the insurer says the policy lapsed for non-payment?

We verify if required lapse notices were sent and whether a grace period was honored. In Bel Air, we reinstated a policy after finding the insurer never properly warned the policyholder.

What should I do if the denial cites Maryland state law?

Don’t accept it blindly. In a Gaithersburg case, we found the insurer had misapplied Maryland law and forced payment through legal action.

Which life insurance companies deny the most claims in Maryland?

Baltimore Life Insurance and smaller regional carriers have higher-than-average denial rates, but no company is immune from bad faith practices.

Can a denial be challenged if it cites the contestability period?

Yes. In Westminster, we defeated a contestability denial by showing the alleged misrepresentation wasn’t material to the risk or death.

What if the beneficiary designation changed shortly before death?

We challenge suspicious changes. In Hagerstown, we reversed a late-stage beneficiary change made under pressure from a caregiver.

Can the insurer delay payment indefinitely?

No. Maryland requires timely processing. We filed a successful bad faith action in Bowie after an insurer delayed payment for over 60 days without justification.

What happens if no beneficiary is named on a Maryland life insurance policy?

The proceeds generally go to the estate. We guide families in Salisbury through probate to secure life insurance funds when no beneficiary is listed.

What if the insured died overseas and the claim was denied?

We handle foreign death cases. In Ocean City, we fought back when an insurer refused payment after a death during an international vacation.

Can a minor child receive life insurance proceeds in Maryland?

Yes, but a legal guardian or custodial account must be established. We assist parents and guardians across Maryland with court petitions.

Is a will ever able to override a life insurance policy in Maryland?

No. In Laurel, we defended a named beneficiary’s claim despite contradictory terms in the decedent’s will.

What if two people both claim to be the rightful beneficiary?

The insurer may file an interpleader. We represent rightful beneficiaries in Maryland courts and aggressively pursue favorable judgments.

How do I fight a denial based on felony involvement in the death?

We require the insurer to prove causation. In Cambridge, we overturned a felony-related denial where the felony had no connection to the cause of death.

What if the insurer claims the death was not accidental?

We bring in forensic experts, as we did in Annapolis, to prove when a death meets an AD&D policy’s definition of accidental.

Can the insurer cancel the policy without notice in Maryland?

No. In Waldorf, we reinstated a canceled policy after showing the insurer failed to comply with Maryland’s cancellation notice requirements.

Can I sue for bad faith in Maryland?

Yes. We recently won a bad faith case in Hyattsville where the insurer wrongfully delayed a legitimate claim and was ordered to pay damages.

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

Insurer liability often remains. In Westminster, we defended a family whose agent had inaccurately completed the insured’s health information.

Can life insurance be denied if the insured failed to disclose a health condition?

Only if the omission was intentional and related to death. We disputed and reversed a denial in Elkton where the condition was minor and unrelated.

Can a contingent beneficiary claim the benefit if the primary is deceased?

Yes. In a case from Easton, we helped a contingent beneficiary collect after the primary named beneficiary had passed away before the insured.

What if a claim is denied for administrative or clerical reasons?

Clerical errors shouldn’t result in denial. We corrected documentation errors in College Park to secure payment for the rightful beneficiary.

Are union-based life insurance policies different in Maryland?

Yes. They often have unique administrative steps. We assist union members throughout Maryland with appeals of improperly denied life insurance benefits.

What if the beneficiary is a creditor or business?

If properly named, they can collect. However, we’ve defended families in Pikesville from improper business-related claims on life insurance.

Can someone be disqualified from receiving benefits due to wrongdoing?

Yes. Maryland’s slayer statute bars killers from benefiting. We successfully redirected life insurance benefits to secondary heirs in a Dundalk case.

What happens if the insured was missing and later declared dead?

Maryland courts allow declarations of presumed death after extended absences. We recently handled such a case involving a missing boater from Chesapeake Bay.

What if the insurer keeps asking for more documents?

We resist delay tactics. In Germantown, we forced prompt payment after months of the insurer demanding irrelevant paperwork.

Can a life insurance policy be reinstated after cancellation?

Yes, if cancellation procedures weren’t followed or if the grace period protects coverage. We reinstated a policy in Bowie after exposing defective notice.

What if the insurer claims suicide and the exclusion expired?

If the policy was older than two years, suicide exclusions generally no longer apply. We successfully reversed such a denial in Frederick.

Can you reopen a claim that was denied years ago?

Possibly. In Montgomery County, we reopened a two-year-old denial after uncovering new medical evidence and forced a settlement.

How long does the insurer have to pay in Maryland?

Insurers should pay within 30 days once proper documentation is provided. Delays beyond that often justify legal action.

Do Maryland laws favor beneficiaries in close cases?

Yes. Courts interpret ambiguous policy language in favor of the insured and beneficiary, which we leverage heavily in appeals and lawsuits.

Can a court split the benefit if there’s no clear beneficiary?

Yes. Maryland courts can equitably divide proceeds when appropriate. We advocate strongly for fair distribution based on legal principles.

Does Maryland law offer protections for life insurance policyholders and beneficiaries?

Yes. Maryland’s strong insurance regulations protect against unfair denials, bad faith, and wrongful cancellation—and we use these laws aggressively to win for our clients.

2025 Maryland Denied Life Insurance Claims: settlements & verdicts

Below are examples of Maryland life insurance claims successfully resolved.

Mass shooting Maryland death denial $139,000.00
Lincoln Memorial sickness exclusion $52,000.00
Accidental Death & Dismemberment claim $204,000.00
Global Life felony exclusion case $102,000.00
SGLI claim denial beneficiary change $408,200.00
Kentucky Central Life alcohol exclusion $55,000.00
First National Life fentanyl exclusion $122,000.00
AD&D denial due to alcohol and drugs $583,000.00
London Pacific lapse in payment we won $75,000.00
Monarch Life interpleader lawsuit won $211,000.00
Universe Life COVID-19 exclusion we fought $349,000.00
Genworth beneficiary dispute interpleader $312,750.00
Penn Treaty Life denial of benefits exclusion $509,300.00
Denied SGLI claim two beneficiaries disputing $405,290.00
Prudential nonpayment of premium lapse $258,200.00
Security National alcohol exclusion denial $113,000.00
Summit National beneficiary issue resolved $227,000.00
American General material misrepresentation $422,500.00
Denied FEGLI claim due to exclusion $401,200.00
Lincoln National suicide exclusion $104,300.00
Maryland denied life insurance claim $1,759,250.00
Unison International denial life insurance claim $501,800.00
Denied AD&D claim self-inflicted injury $502,900.00
American change of beneficiary $314,820.00
Pioneer divorce and ex-spouse $175,300.00
AIG accidental death AD&D claim $516,900.00
Northwestern Mutual lapse of policy $150,000.00
United Republic Life denied claim $212,000.00
Denial of Accidental Death & Dismemberment 870,000.00
Banner prescription drug exclusion $106,000.00
Transamerica autoerotic asphyxiation $224,600.00
Cigna dispute among beneficiaries $317,100.00
Denied life insurance claim Maryland $752,630.00
Bankers denial of life benefits won $116,000.00

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

Legal References – Maryland

Maryland Contestability Clause Law: Under Md. Code, Insurance § 16-203, life insurance policies in Maryland 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. This clause precludes contests of the policy's validity but does not prevent defenses based on exclusions or misstatements of age.
Automatic Revocation of Ex-Spouse Beneficiaries: Maryland law does not automatically revoke a former spouse's beneficiary designation on a life insurance policy upon divorce. Therefore, unless the policyholder updates the beneficiary designation after divorce, the ex-spouse may remain the beneficiary.
Equitable Distribution Laws: Maryland 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 Maryland's state laws in cases involving contested beneficiaries, including disputes with former spouses.

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