Billings Life Insurance Lawyer
Christian Lassen, Esq. | Quoted in The Wall Street Journal | 25 Years Experience
In Billings, Montana's largest city, nestled against the picturesque Yellowstone River and Rimrocks, life insurance claims are often met with aggressive resistance from insurers. At The Lassen Law Firm, we represent families in Billings and throughout Yellowstone County in recovering wrongfully denied or delayed life insurance benefits. Whether your case involves accidental death, an alleged lapse in coverage, or a disputed beneficiary, we provide focused legal guidance and nationwide experience every step of the way.
Led by attorney Christian Lassen, Esq., a nationally recognized life insurance lawyer, our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for clients over the past 25 years. Life insurance law is our sole focus, and our results reflect that dedication.
Why Billings Families Choose The Lassen Law Firm
Exclusive Focus on Life Insurance — No car accidents, no criminal defense, just life insurance disputes
Representation in All 50 States — Including claimants with Montana-based group and private policies
Personal Attention From Christian Lassen — Clients deal directly with their attorney from start to finish
Recent Life Insurance Victories Nationwide
$720,000 paid after a claim was denied based on a disputed toxicology report
$665,000 settlement in a lapse case where premium notices were not properly mailed
$580,000 recovered after an AD&D denial involving a recreational vehicle accident
Denied Life Insurance Claim FAQ
Can a life insurance claim be denied for alleged misrepresentation if the insurer never clarified ambiguous application answers?
Yes. Insurers may still assert misrepresentation, but courts often consider whether the insurer failed to follow up on unclear responses.
Can a life insurance claim be denied for failing to disclose symptoms that were attributed to a temporary condition?
Yes. Insurers may argue the symptoms should have been disclosed, but they must prove the symptoms were material to underwriting.
Can a life insurance claim be denied for omission of medications taken only once or twice?
Yes. However, one time or short term use is often not material unless tied to a serious condition.
Can a life insurance claim be denied during the contestability period based on differences between primary care and specialist records?
Yes. Insurers may rely on inconsistencies, but they must prove the differences are material and not simply variations in reporting.
Can a life insurance claim be denied if the insurer claims the insured failed to disclose follow up appointments?
Yes. Insurers may argue follow ups should have been disclosed, but they must show the information was material.
Can an ERISA life insurance claim be denied because the employer failed to submit the employee’s coverage change?
Yes. Administrative errors can result in disputes over whether the updated coverage should have been in effect.
Can a FEGLI life insurance claim be disputed if the beneficiary designation form is incomplete or partially filled out?
Yes. The insurer may delay payment while determining whether the designation is valid.
Can an SGLI life insurance claim be delayed if the beneficiary designation lists individuals with similar identifying details?
Yes. The insurer may delay payment while verifying the intended beneficiaries.
Can a VGLI life insurance claim be denied if the veteran’s premium payment was returned or rejected?
Yes. Disputes may arise over whether the policy lapsed despite the attempted payment.
Can a life insurance claim be denied because of an exclusion related to alcohol even when the level was below legal limits?
Yes. Insurers may attempt to apply exclusions, but they must clearly establish that the exclusion applies under the policy.
Can a life insurance claim be denied for alleged criminal conduct without proof of a causal relationship to the death?
No. Insurers must show both the conduct and a direct link to the cause of death.
Can a life insurance claim be denied if the cause of death is disputed among multiple experts?
Yes. Insurers may rely on certain opinions, but courts often evaluate the full range of evidence.
Can a life insurance claim be denied based on selective excerpts from medical records?
Yes. Insurers may attempt this, but courts often require a complete and balanced review.
Can a life insurance claim be denied for failure to provide documents that are unavailable due to circumstances beyond control?
No. Insurers must consider whether the documents can reasonably be obtained before denying a claim.
Can a life insurance claim be denied because the beneficiary did not immediately respond to every request?
Yes. However, insurers must show that any delay materially affected their investigation.
Can a beneficiary dispute lead to an interpleader even if one beneficiary appears clearly entitled?
Yes. Insurers often file interpleader actions whenever competing claims exist.
Can an ERISA life insurance claim be denied based on strict compliance with plan language?
Yes. ERISA plans are often enforced as written, though courts may review whether the interpretation is reasonable.
Can a FEGLI claim be delayed if the insurer questions whether the designation form was properly filed with the agency?
Yes. The insurer may verify agency records before determining the valid beneficiary.
Can an SGLI claim be challenged if the beneficiary designation was made shortly before a major life change?
Yes. Timing may lead to disputes about whether the designation reflects the insured’s intent.
Can a VGLI claim be denied if the insurer claims the policy never became effective due to incomplete processing?
Yes. The insurer may argue coverage was never in force, leading to disputes over whether all requirements were satisfied.
Types of Disputes We Handle for Montana Clients
Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) exclusions
Application misrepresentation or health history disputes
Lapsed policy defenses due to administrative or billing errors
Contested beneficiary designations or will conflicts
ERISA group life insurance denials
Areas We Serve in and Around Billings
West End
Heights
Downtown Billings
South Side
Lockwood
Blue Creek
Briarwood
Billings Bench
We serve clients throughout Yellowstone County, whether the policy was purchased privately or through a Montana-based employer.
Our Services Include
Free consultation and claim review
No fees unless we recover benefits
Detailed investigation of policy terms and claim denial
Aggressive negotiation or litigation when necessary
Contact The Lassen Law Firm Today
Call 800-330-2274 for a free, confidential consultation with attorney Christian Lassen. We are ready to stand up to the insurance company on your behalf.
Written & Reviewed by Christian Lassen, Esq.
National Life Insurance Attorney | 25+ Years of Experience
Quoted in The Wall Street Journal (May 17, 2025)
Last reviewed: Jan 3, 2026
Our FAQ
Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 800-330-2274 today!
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A grace period is the time after a missed payment during which the policy remains in force, usually 30 to 60 days depending on state law and policy terms.
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No. In most states, insurers must send a written notice of overdue premiums and warn of pending lapse before terminating coverage.
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The policy may still be enforceable. Beneficiaries can challenge the lapse based on the insurer’s failure to provide required notice.
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Yes. If the insured dies during the grace period, the policy is still considered active, and benefits should be paid.
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Yes. In group life insurance policies, employers sometimes fail to forward premiums properly, leading to wrongful lapse denials.
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Yes. If automatic payment setups fail through no fault of the insured, lapses may be challenged.
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Some policies automatically borrow against cash value to cover missed payments. Failure to apply this correctly can lead to wrongful lapse claims.
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Possibly. Some courts excuse nonpayment if the insured was mentally incapacitated and missed premiums without proper notice.
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No. Reinstatement must occur while the insured is alive, but wrongful lapse denials can still be challenged posthumously.
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Not without following strict notice and grace period rules. Beneficiaries can often challenge technical denials.
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Deadlines vary by state, but it’s critical to act within 1 to 5 years depending on the policy and jurisdiction.
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Not necessarily. Payments mailed within grace periods or accepted by insurers may keep coverage active.
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Bank records, payment receipts, insurer correspondence, and premium notices are key evidence.
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If the insurer used an outdated address despite updated information, lapse denials can often be overturned.
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Possibly. If the insured submitted a reinstatement application before death, it may help challenge a lapse denial.
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In some states, special grace periods and protections applied during COVID-19 emergencies. They can help fight wrongful lapses.
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Only if the insurer followed all legal notice and grace period requirements. Otherwise, beneficiaries may still recover.
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Misapplied premiums can lead to wrongful lapses — and courts often hold insurers accountable for these errors.
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An attorney can obtain records, challenge improper lapses, negotiate settlements, and litigate if necessary to enforce payment.
Our Clients Speak Volumes
The Right Choice for Your Claim
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“They accused my husband of intentionally misleading the insurer about a health issue. I was devastated. The Lassen team gathered the medical history, showed it was an honest mistake, and forced a reversal of the denial.”- Maria G.
Why The Lassen Law Firm Is Different
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Proven National Results
With over two decades of exclusive focus on life insurance litigation, we’ve helped thousands of families recover wrongfully denied benefits. Our reputation for fast, strategic resolutions has made us a trusted national resource for complex claim disputes.
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Recognized ExpertisePerfect 10.0 Avvo rating endorsed by over 1,700 attorneys; life member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum; ranked among the top 1 percent of lawyers nationally for life insurance litigation.
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Client-First AdvocacyNo upfront fees: our contingency fee guarantee aligns our interests with yours; we provide personalized, compassionate representation from your initial consultation through resolution.
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Media & Community LeadershipQuoted in The Wall Street Journal and featured in leading legal publications; frequent speaker at national conferences; dedicated to charitable efforts supporting pediatric cancer care.
