Life Insurance Lawyer Kansas City MO
"Life Insurance Lawyers for Kansas City, MO – The Lassen Law Firm" In Kansas City, a vibrant metropolis known for its rich jazz heritage, world-class barbecue, and dynamic cultural scene, navigating life insurance claims can still be a stressful and overwhelming process—particularly when benefits are unfairly delayed or denied. At The Lassen Law Firm, we are committed to helping families and individuals in Kansas City secure the financial protection they deserve. Whether you’re near the bustling Power & Light District, the scenic Country Club Plaza, or anywhere across Jackson, Clay, or Platte Counties, we provide trusted legal expertise and personalized care every step of the way. Our experienced and trusted Missouri life insurance lawyers are here to help.
With a proven record of recovering hundreds of millions in life insurance claims nationwide, The Lassen Law Firm delivers compassionate advocacy, relentless representation, and trusted results for Kansas City residents seeking justice in insurance disputes.
2025 Kansas City MO Denied Life Insurance Claims
- Globe heat attack denial resolved $101,000.00
- SGLI family member changed beneficiary $400,000.00
- Hartford Life denial of COVID 19 claim $33,000.00
- AD&D claim in Kansas City Missouri $50,000.00
- USAA alcohol exclusion resolved $119,000.00
- American Income Life delay $300,000.00
- Kansas City Missouri life insurance claim $30,000.00
- Iowa Farm denied coronavirus death $69,000.00
- Jackson National beneficiary dispute $500,000.00
- Symetra interpleader lawsuit $360,000.00
- ALCPA primary beneficiary vs secondary $51,000.00
Questions about life insurance claims in Kansas City MO
Q1: Can an ex-spouse still collect life insurance benefits in Kansas City
if they were never removed as a beneficiary?
No, not usually. Under Missouri law, a divorce revokes an ex-spouse’s
beneficiary status unless the policyholder reaffirmed the designation
afterward. This is a common issue in Kansas City when policies are outdated
or never updated after divorce.
Q2: Can a Kansas City life insurance claim be denied for failing to disclose
a past illness like COPD or diabetes?
Yes — but only during the two-year contestability period and only
if the omission was material to the underwriting process and related to
the cause of death. Many of these denials can be reversed with proper
documentation.
Q3: What if the insured died while working construction in Kansas City
and the insurer claims they didn’t disclose a “high-risk occupation”?
Unless the application required disclosure of occupation and the omission
materially increased the risk, this is not grounds for denial. We’ve
overturned similar denials for Kansas City laborers and tradespeople.
Q4: Can a life insurance policy lapse in Kansas City without proper notification?
No. Missouri law requires life insurers to provide written notice and a
grace period before terminating coverage. If the insurer failed to follow
this procedure, the policy may still be enforceable.
Q5: Can suicide void a life insurance policy in Kansas City?
Only if it occurred within the policy’s suicide exclusion window
— typically the first two years. After that, suicide is generally
covered under Missouri law. We also challenge wrongful suicide classifications
when the cause of death is disputed.
Q6: What if the insured died while traveling overseas and the insurer says
there's not enough proof of death?
We help Kansas City families gather foreign death certificates, consular
reports, and translated documents. A foreign death may delay a claim,
but it shouldn’t prevent payment if documentation is sufficient.
Q7: Can a claim be denied in Kansas City because the beneficiary is suspected
of foul play?
Only under Missouri’s slayer statute, which prevents recovery by
anyone who “feloniously and intentionally” caused the insured’s
death. Suspicion alone is not enough — there must be a conviction
or clear legal finding.
Q8: Can a policy be denied if the insured died during a crime in Kansas
City, like fleeing police or committing burglary?
Most policies exclude deaths resulting from felonies. But we challenge
these denials when the alleged crime is minor, the link to death is unclear,
or the exclusion is ambiguously worded.
Q9: Can a handwritten beneficiary change be valid in Kansas City?
Yes — Missouri courts can honor handwritten or informal designations
if they clearly reflect the insured’s intent and are properly dated
and signed. This often comes up in family-based disputes or last-minute changes.
Q10: What happens if two people claim the same life insurance benefit in
Kansas City?
The insurer may file an interpleader in Jackson County, and the court will
determine the rightful beneficiary. These cases are common when policies
conflict with wills, trusts, or later beneficiary updates.
Q11: Can a claim be denied due to a missing signature on the application?
Insurers may attempt this, but if they accepted premiums or issued a policy
anyway, Missouri courts often treat the policy as valid. We’ve forced
payment in many Kansas City cases where application irregularities were minor.
Q12: Can a hospital employee in Kansas City lose life insurance if their
employer failed to submit paperwork?
This happens often with large institutions. If the employee believed they
were enrolled through St. Luke’s, Research, or KU affiliates, we
may argue the employer or insurer is still liable for benefits.
Q13: Can an AD&D claim be denied in Kansas City if the insurer blames
the death on “natural causes” instead of an accident?
Yes — but we regularly dispute this. Insurers often misclassify traumatic
deaths to avoid paying AD&D. We use ER reports, accident scene details,
and medical examiner findings to prove the death was accidental.
Q14: Can a life insurance claim be denied if the policyholder changed jobs
or retired without converting coverage?
Yes, but we challenge these denials if the insurer or employer failed to
notify the policyholder of their right to convert group life to an individual
policy. This is common with public workers and retirees in Kansas City.
Q15: Can a claim be delayed in Kansas City due to incomplete forms or missing
documents?
Yes, but delays don’t justify denial. We help families submit the
required documents — including medical records, death certificates,
and ID — to ensure the insurer can’t use paperwork as an excuse
to withhold payment.
Q16: What if the Kansas City policyholder omitted prescription medications
on the application?
Only intentional and material omissions during the contestability period
can lead to rescission. We’ve overturned denials where insurers
relied on vague questions or unrelated medications to claim fraud.
Q17: Can vague exclusions in a Kansas City policy — like “illegal
activity” or “unauthorized treatment” — be challenged?
Absolutely. Missouri law requires ambiguous language to be interpreted
in favor of the policyholder. We often force insurers to pay when exclusions
are undefined or overly broad.
Q18: What if a policyholder paid premiums for years but the insurer claims
the policy was never in force?
We’ve handled cases like this in Kansas City where administrative
errors or billing issues led to invalid denial. If payments were made
and accepted, coverage likely existed and must be honored.
Q19: Can military families in Kansas City face denial if the insured switched
between SGLI and private coverage?
Yes — claim confusion is common in military transitions. We investigate
whether the military or private insurer properly informed the insured
of deadlines and options, especially during separation or retirement.
Q20: What legal options do Kansas City families have after a life insurance denial?
They can sue for breach of contract, and if the insurer acted in bad faith
— such as ignoring evidence or using false grounds — Missouri
law allows additional recovery, including interest, attorney’s fees,
and punitive damages.
For more information on insurance regulations and consumer protections in Missouri, you can visit the Missouri Department of Insurance. Additionally, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) offers nationwide insurance resources.