Life Insurance Lawyer Montana
life insurance lawyers serving all of montana
The Lassen Law Firm represents beneficiaries across Montana in denied life insurance claims, including disputes in Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, Bozeman, and Helena. We handle denial issues involving policy lapse, application misstatements, exclusions, and beneficiary conflicts. Our attorneys are well-versed in Montana-specific rules, including revocation-upon-divorce laws and the state’s contestability protections. All cases are contingency-based—no recovery, no fee.
Denied Life Insurance Claim in Montana? You’re Not Alone.
In Montana, it’s not uncommon for life insurance carriers to reject
claims based on policy interpretations that may not be legally justified.
If you’re facing a
life insurance claim denial in Montana, The Lassen Law Firm is ready to step in and advocate for the benefits
you’re entitled to receive.
In Montana, beneficiary disputes can arise when life insurance policies are altered late in life or when multiple parties believe they have a rightful claim. If you're involved in a life insurance beneficiary dispute in Montana, The Lassen Law Firm is prepared to help you resolve the conflict and secure your rightful benefits.
In Montana, insurers often file an interpleader action in Montana when they’re faced with competing claims to a life insurance payout, asking the court to resolve the dispute and avoid liability.
Experienced Life Insurance Lawyers Montana: The Lassen Law Firm
Life insurance claims in Montana can be difficult to navigate, especially when facing denied benefits or delayed payouts. At The Lassen Law Firm, we proudly assist individuals and families across the Treasure State in securing the life insurance benefits they deserve. Whether you’re in Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, or anywhere else in Montana, we’re here to provide expert legal guidance and dedicated support.
With a nationwide presence, our life insurance attorneys have recovered hundreds of millions in policies for our clients. At The Lassen Law Firm, we are committed to protecting your rights with personalized attention and relentless advocacy. 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 25 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.
Facing a Life Insurance Claim Denial in Montana? We’re Ready to Stand with You
Life insurance is meant to protect families, providing financial support at the very moment it is needed most. Yet in Montana, beneficiaries are too often faced with denied, delayed, or disputed claims. If you’ve been affected by a denied AD&D claim in Montana, our firm can help you pursue the benefits through a strategic legal appeal.
Insurance companies may use complicated policy language, minor errors, or selective interpretations to justify denying benefits. However, Montana law strongly protects consumers, and insurers must handle claims fairly and promptly. We offer free consultations, and you pay nothing unless we successfully recover benefits for you.
Contestability Periods and Life Insurance Denials in Montana
Most life insurance policies issued in Montana include a two-year contestability period. During this time, insurers can contest claims by arguing that the insured made material misrepresentations during the application process. After two years, their ability to deny coverage based on application errors is sharply limited unless fraud can be proven.
Under Montana law, only material misstatements — inaccuracies that would have affected the insurer’s decision to issue or price the policy — are grounds for rescission. Honest mistakes or omissions that are immaterial should not be used as justification for denying benefits.
If your claim has been denied based on contestability arguments, it’s essential to have an attorney review whether the denial was proper under Montana law.
Common Reasons Life Insurance Claims Are Denied in Montana
Insurance companies often rely on similar tactics when denying claims. In Montana, we frequently see life insurance denials based on:
Alleged Application Misstatements
Insurers claim the insured failed to disclose medical conditions, smoking history, or high-risk hobbies.
Policy Lapses for Nonpayment
Montana insurers may deny a claim based on missed payments, but in many cases the life insurance policy lapse dispute stems from unclear terms or improper notice delivery.
Policy Exclusions
Deaths from suicide (within exclusion periods), illegal activities, or participation in risky activities may be excluded under certain policy terms.
Beneficiary Disputes
Family conflicts over beneficiary designations often result in delayed or denied claims.
Mistakes in Group Life Insurance Coverage
Errors by employers in enrolling or maintaining group coverage can wrongfully deprive beneficiaries of payment.
Delays Due to Death Investigations
Insurers may delay claims while deaths are investigated, but Montana law expects insurers to act reasonably and in good faith throughout the process.
No matter the stated reason, denials can — and should — be reviewed carefully to determine whether they comply with Montana law.
What Steps You Should Take After a Life Insurance Denial in Montana
Taking prompt and careful action can protect your rights. If your claim is denied:
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Request a complete copy of the policy, the application, and all amendments.
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Review the denial letter carefully, noting the insurer’s stated reasons.
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Save all communications with the insurance company, including written correspondence and phone call summaries.
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Avoid providing further documents or making new statements until you consult with an attorney.
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Contact a Montana life insurance lawyer immediately to assess your claim and develop a strategy.
Montana law also allows for penalties if insurers handle claims unfairly or delay payment without proper cause.
How Our Montana Life Insurance Attorneys Pursue Denied Claims
When you trust our firm with your case, you gain a team committed to protecting beneficiaries’ rights. Our approach includes:
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Reviewing the full insurance policy and the insurer’s denial for legal and factual weaknesses.
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Challenging improper rescissions, exclusions, and lapse defenses.
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Handling all negotiations and communications with the insurance company.
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Preparing and filing appeals where necessary for group life policies governed by ERISA.
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Litigating wrongful denials when insurers refuse to honor legitimate claims.
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Pursuing bad faith damages if the insurer’s conduct violates Montana’s unfair claims handling statutes.
Our goal is to recover the life insurance benefits you deserve — and hold insurers accountable when they fail to meet their obligations.
Federal life insurance programs like SGLI for service members and FEGLI for civilian employees are often mishandled, resulting in unjust claim denials. We help Montana families challenge denied Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance payouts and recover benefits from denied Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance claims.
When life insurance coverage is offered through an employer, it typically falls under ERISA. Our firm assists Montana clients with denied ERISA group life insurance claims and works to ensure compliance with federal procedures throughout the appeal process.
Montana Denied Life Insurance Claims: Answers to Common Questions
What should I do if my life insurance claim has been denied in Montana?
You should immediately contact a Montana life insurance attorney. For example, we recently helped a Billings family recover benefits after a denial based on a misapplied policy exclusion.
How do I handle a life insurance interpleader lawsuit filed in Montana?
You must respond promptly. In a Bozeman case, we successfully defended a rightful daughter's claim against multiple competing relatives.
What happens if there’s a beneficiary dispute over a Montana life insurance policy?
Beneficiary disputes are common in Montana. We recently resolved a dispute in Missoula involving a contested last-minute beneficiary change.
Why would a Montana accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) claim be denied?
Insurers often argue the death was natural, not accidental. In Helena, we overturned such a denial by proving the cause of death fit the AD&D definition.
Can policy lapse be a reason to deny a life insurance claim in Montana?
Yes, but only if strict notice requirements are met. We reinstated a policy in Great Falls where the insurer failed to send proper lapse warnings.
Is a misrepresentation on a Montana life insurance application grounds for denial?
Only if the misstatement was material and intentional. In Butte, we fought back when an insurer wrongly blamed an innocent mistake for denying a claim.
Can a Montana life insurance claim be denied because of an alcohol exclusion?
Yes, but many exclusions are ambiguous. In Kalispell, we successfully challenged an alcohol exclusion where the insured’s death was unrelated to intoxication.
What should I do about a bad faith ERISA life insurance denial in Montana?
Act quickly. We recently built a winning ERISA appeal in Billings for a client after a wrongful group policy denial.
What does the contestability period mean in Montana life insurance cases?
Montana policies typically have a two-year contestability window. We often overturn denials when the insurer cannot connect the alleged misrepresentation to the cause of death.
What if I received a denial letter based on Montana state law?
Insurers sometimes misuse Montana statutes. In a Bozeman case, we proved the cited law didn’t apply and forced payment.
Which life insurance companies in Montana deny the most claims?
Insurance Unlimited (Helena), Hobson Insurance, and national carriers like Prudential and Mutual of Omaha frequently appear in Montana denied claims.
Does divorce automatically revoke a life insurance beneficiary designation in Montana?
Yes, unless the insured reaffirmed the ex-spouse afterward. We helped a Livingston widow defend her claim against a disputed ex-spouse challenge.
Is Montana a community property state and does that affect life insurance claims?
Yes. In Montana, a surviving spouse may have a claim to a portion of the benefit if premiums were paid with marital funds.
Can a will override the named beneficiary on a Montana life insurance policy?
No. Policy designations control unless there’s evidence of fraud or undue influence.
How much does it cost to hire a Montana life insurance lawyer?
We work on a contingency basis in Montana—meaning you owe nothing unless we recover benefits for you.
Can a Montana life insurance claim be denied for a death abroad?
Yes, if there’s a valid foreign death exclusion. But we recently defeated an overseas death denial for a family in Havre by proving coverage still applied.
What if the beneficiary designation was changed shortly before the death in Montana?
We challenge suspicious last-minute changes. In Billings, we overturned a new designation based on evidence of undue influence.
What should I do if my Montana life insurance claim is unreasonably delayed?
Delays may qualify as bad faith. We pursued penalties against an insurer in Missoula for stalling a payment without justification.
Can an insurer deny an AD&D claim in Montana by calling the death “natural”?
Yes, but if facts show the death was accidental, we build strong cases to recover the full AD&D benefit.
Can an agent’s error result in denial of a Montana life insurance claim?
Yes. We successfully forced an insurer to pay after an agent error caused a denial in Anaconda.
What is bad faith in the context of a Montana life insurance denial?
Bad faith includes failure to investigate, misrepresentation, or stalling. Montana allows claims for extra damages in bad faith cases.
Can I appeal a contestability-based denial in Montana?
Yes. We overturned a contestability denial in Helena where the alleged misstatement was completely irrelevant to the cause of death.
Are ERISA-based life insurance appeals more difficult in Montana?
They are more technical, but our Montana attorneys have a strong track record handling ERISA appeals and lawsuits in federal court.
What if no beneficiary was named on the Montana life insurance policy?
The benefit typically goes to the estate. We guide Montana families through probate to recover life insurance payouts.
Can I dispute a questionable Montana life insurance beneficiary designation?
Yes. We recently invalidated a change in Bozeman made under suspicious circumstances.
Do Montana insurers have to send notice before canceling a life insurance policy?
Yes. Without proper written notice, the cancellation may be invalid. We fight wrongful policy lapses aggressively.
How are group or employer life insurance claims handled in Montana?
They are often governed by ERISA. We help Montana families appeal employer-related denials involving enrollment mistakes or administrative errors.
What happens if more than one person claims the same Montana life insurance benefit?
An interpleader action may be filed. We represent clients statewide in Montana to protect their rightful claim.
Can life insurance proceeds be paid in Montana if the insured was declared legally dead?
Yes. After a court establishes death, we move forward with the claim and recover the payout.
How long do I have to appeal a denied life insurance claim in Montana?
Typically 180 days for ERISA claims. Private policies may have different time limits, and we ensure deadlines are met.
Are verbal promises about Montana life insurance enforceable?
No. Only written designations control. But we investigate cases involving fraud or misrepresentation.
Are life insurance benefits protected from creditors in Montana?
Yes, when paid to a named beneficiary. Estate-based payouts may be subject to creditor claims.
Can unclear policy wording be used to deny a Montana claim?
No. Montana law interprets ambiguous policy terms in favor of the insured or beneficiary.
Can a canceled or lapsed Montana policy still be enforced?
Yes, especially if lapse or cancellation procedures were flawed. We recently reinstated a policy in Hamilton after a notice defect.
What happens if the Montana policy lapsed due to non-payment?
If the insurer didn't send proper lapse warnings, we fight to keep the policy active and enforceable.
Can a child be named as a beneficiary on a Montana life insurance policy?
Yes. For minors, guardianship or trust arrangements are often needed. We assist families with the court filings.
Can a Montana life insurance claim be denied for suspected fraud?
Only if proven with clear, convincing evidence. We successfully challenged a fraud-based denial in Billings that lacked proof.
Can Montana life insurance disputes be settled out of court?
Yes. Many cases settle through negotiation. However, we are ready to litigate aggressively in Montana courts if needed.
What if a beneficiary change wasn’t processed by the Montana insurer?
The original designation likely stands. We help enforce rightful payouts when beneficiary changes are mishandled.
Is an old life insurance policy still valid under Montana law?
Yes. We regularly recover payouts from policies issued decades ago if they were active at death.
How can I prove I’m the correct beneficiary on a Montana life insurance policy?
We compile policy documents, legal filings, and testimony to prove rightful beneficiary status.
2025 Montana Denied Life Insurance Claims: settlements & verdicts
Below are examples of Montana life insurance claims successfully resolved.
- Family Heritage coronavirus death denied $103,000.00
- GA life intoxication exclusion won $120,000.00
- Iowa Farm COVID-19 death denial $85,000.00
- Reliastar Life sickness exclusion resolved $22,000.00
- Mutual Trust life felony exclusion $14,000.00
- Navy Mutual beneficiary issue $409,200.00
- Starmount Life wrong age on application $30,000.00
- Berkshire Life alcohol denial won $56,000.00
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment fentanyl $209,000.00
- Triple AAA Life lapse of policy nonpayment $51,000.00
- Security Plan Life competing beneficiaries $24,000.00
- Best Family Life suicide denial accidental shooting $103,000.00
- Zurich American wrong social security number $208,000.00
- Pioneer Security suicide clause problem $212,800.00
- Lincoln Memorial life insurance wouldn't pay $97,000.00
- Globe material misrepresentation application $116,250.00
- West Coast accidental drug overdose $317,830.00
- Denied SGLI claim wife versus girlfriend $401,320.00
- Kentucky Central life claim big delay won $38,000.00
- Colonial dangerous activity exclusion $205,100.00
- AIG accidental death insurance coverage exclusion $512,450.00
- Montana denied life insurance claim $1,259,400.00
- Mass shooting denial life insurance benefits $387,000.00
- Denied FEGLI claim that was resolved $125,000.00
- Transamerica commission of felony exclusion $602,531.00
- SGLI form change of beneficiary dispute $400,000.00
- First National Life shooting death denial $187,900.00
- Monumental coverage lawsuit resolved $290,130.00
- Denied AD&D claim due to exclusions $564,000.00
- American General AD&D claim won $412,760.00
- Denied life insurance claim Montana $821,700.00
- Primerica autoerotic asphyxiation claim $108,000.00
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment won $729,500.00
- Stonebridge contestable period issue $101,430.00
- Montana divorce and life insurance $275,000.00
- Lincoln Heritage spouse and ex-spouse $248,000.00
Every denied claim is unique. In Montana, we know how to maximize your chance of recovering the full life insurance payout.
Unique Legal Challenges in Montana Life Insurance Denials
Life insurance claim disputes in Montana often stem from issues that seem minor on paper but become major obstacles in practice. We've handled denials in Billings and Great Falls where insurers pointed to a missed check box or outdated medical disclosure as the reason to withhold six-figure benefits. In many of these cases, our firm successfully argued that the supposed misrepresentation had no bearing on the cause of death.
Montana is not a community property state, but that doesn’t mean spouses are out of luck. In Butte, we represented a widow who was excluded from a policy payout because the beneficiary designation had never been updated after marriage. We showed that premiums were paid with marital funds, and the insurer ultimately agreed to a split distribution.
Interpleader lawsuits are also frequent in Montana, particularly in the District of Montana federal court. We’ve seen life insurance companies file these when two or more family members claim entitlement, especially after a sudden death or contested beneficiary change. Our job is to ensure the person truly intended by the policyholder receives the benefit—not whoever filed first or hired a more aggressive lawyer.
Another common problem in rural areas like Kalispell and Miles City is the delayed mailing or delivery of lapse notices. We've challenged these successfully by showing that policyholders weren’t properly notified under Montana law before their coverage was canceled. That kind of lapse-based denial is often reversible with the right legal strategy.
Life Insurance Legal Help Throughout Montana
The Lassen Law Firm assists clients across Montana who are dealing with denied or delayed life insurance claims. We serve beneficiaries in Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, Bozeman, Butte, Helena, Kalispell, Havre, Belgrade, and Livingston. If your claim was denied anywhere in Montana, we’re ready to help you fight back and recover the full benefit.