New Jersey Life Insurance Lawyer

Life Insurance Lawyers Serving All 21 New Jersey Counties

Christian Lassen, Esq. | Licensed in New Jersey (NJ 006662000) | 25 Years Experience | Hundreds of Millions Recovered

If your life insurance claim was denied in New Jersey, you're not alone and you're not without options. At The Lassen Law Firm, we focus solely on life insurance litigation and have helped families throughout New Jersey recover millions in wrongfully denied death benefits. Whether the denial involved a lapse, an exclusion, a misstatement allegation, or a beneficiary dispute, we know how to challenge the insurer and pursue the payout your family deserves.

Led by nationally recognized attorney Christian Lassen, quoted by The Wall Street Journal and rated 10.0 by AVVO, our firm represents clients in every part of New Jersey. We handle denied life insurance claims in all 21 counties, and there is never a fee unless we recover for you.

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

Families in New Jersey often face unexpected resistance from life insurance companies when trying to collect benefits after a loved one’s death. If you're dealing with a life insurance claim denied in New Jersey, The Lassen Law Firm is ready to hold the insurer accountable and fight for the payout you’ve been promised.

In New Jersey, life insurance beneficiary disputes often involve claims of undue influence, outdated designations, or conflicting versions of the policy. If you're involved in a life insurance beneficiary dispute in New Jersey, The Lassen Law Firm can step in to defend your rights and pursue the benefits you're entitled to.

In New Jersey, life insurance companies often rely on an interpleader action in New Jersey when more than one party claims the policy, placing the funds with the court until a judge determines the rightful beneficiary.

Navigating life insurance claims in New Jersey can be complicated, particularly when dealing with denied benefits or bad faith insurance practices. At The Lassen Law Firm, we are committed to helping individuals and families across the Garden State recover the payouts they deserve. We proudly serve clients in all 21 New Jersey counties and provide trusted legal expertise and personalized attention to every case, no matter where you live in the state.

As experienced New Jersey life insurance attorneys handling cases nationwide, we’ve successfully recovered hundreds of millions in policies for our clients. At The Lassen Law Firm, we combine dedication, legal expertise, and compassionate advocacy to deliver justice for the people we serve. Founder Christian Lassen, Esq., has a house in the Short Hills Development in Cherry Hill off Evesham Rd, and has an office in Marlton, NJ across from Whole Foods. 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.

Life Insurance Claim Denied in New Jersey? We’ll Stand Up for Your Rights

Life insurance is meant to provide security and peace of mind for families, not create additional hardship after a loss. Yet in New Jersey, many beneficiaries face unexpected denials, delays, or underpayments when trying to collect life insurance proceeds. If your claim has been denied, you have strong rights under New Jersey law, and our New Jersey life insurance attorneys are ready to help you enforce them. If your accidental death claim was denied in NJ, we’re prepared to challenge the insurer’s decision and help you recover the benefits your loved one intended.

Insurance companies often deny claims by citing minor technicalities, alleged errors in the application, or selective interpretations of policy language. But New Jersey has some of the strongest consumer protection laws in the nation, and insurers who engage in bad faith practices can be held accountable. We offer free consultations and only get paid if we successfully recover benefits for you.

How the Contestability Period Affects Life Insurance Claims in New Jersey

In New Jersey, life insurance policies generally include a two-year contestability period. During this period, insurers can review claims and deny benefits if they discover material misrepresentations made during the application process. However, after two years, the insurer’s ability to deny a claim based on application errors is severely limited unless they can prove intentional fraud.

It’s important to remember that not every mistake justifies a denial. Only material misstatements, those that would have influenced the insurer’s decision to issue or price the policy, are grounds for rescission. Minor or irrelevant errors typically cannot be used to deny benefits under New Jersey law.

If your claim has been denied based on contestability arguments, an experienced attorney can review the facts and determine whether the denial is legally justified.

Common Reasons Life Insurance Claims Are Denied in New Jersey

Although each case is different, many life insurance denials in New Jersey follow familiar patterns. Common reasons insurers cite include:

Alleged Misrepresentation on the Application

Insurers claim the insured failed to disclose a health condition, medication use, or lifestyle risks—an issue we frequently see in New Jersey denials.

Policy Lapse for Nonpayment

Insurers in NJ often rely on missed payments to justify denial, but many lapsed policy denials can be contested when grace periods or notification rules weren’t properly followed.

Exclusions for Certain Causes of Death

Deaths related to suicide (within the exclusion period), participation in criminal activity, or high-risk hobbies may be excluded based on policy wording. New Jersey courts typically interpret such clauses strictly against the insurer.

Beneficiary Disputes

Disagreements between relatives or last-minute changes to the beneficiary often lead to contested claims, particularly in complex estate situations common in NJ.

Group Life Insurance Enrollment Errors

Employer mistakes—like failing to enroll an employee properly—are a recurring issue in New Jersey group policy disputes, especially when ERISA rules are involved.

Delays Linked to Death Investigations

Insurers sometimes delay claims when a death is under investigation, but unreasonable delays may constitute bad faith under New Jersey law.

Whatever the reason provided, many life insurance denials can be challenged.

What to Do After a Life Insurance Denial in New Jersey

Responding quickly and carefully to a denial can protect your rights. If your claim has been denied:

• Request a full copy of the life insurance policy, the application, and any endorsements.
• Review the denial letter carefully, noting the insurer’s specific reasons.
• Save all communications with the insurer, including emails, letters, and call notes.
• Avoid providing new documents or statements without consulting an attorney.
• Contact a New Jersey life insurance lawyer immediately to review your case and develop a strategy.

New Jersey also imposes penalties on insurers who engage in bad faith claim handling practices, offering additional avenues for recovery in some cases.

FEGLI and SGLI life insurance claims can be wrongfully denied due to bureaucratic mistakes or unclear eligibility determinations. We help New Jersey families appeal denied Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance claims and fight back when federal employee benefits under FEGLI are unjustly withheld.

Many life insurance plans provided through the workplace fall under ERISA, which sets complex federal standards for appeals. Our attorneys assist New Jersey clients with denied ERISA life insurance claims and work to recover the benefits they’re entitled to under federal law.

How Our New Jersey Life Insurance Attorneys Handle Denied Claims

When you work with our firm, you get a team that is deeply experienced in holding insurance companies accountable. We will:

• Conduct a full review of your insurance policy, application documents, and the denial letter.
• Challenge improper rescissions, lapse arguments, and policy exclusions.
• Handle all communications and negotiations with the insurer.
• Prepare administrative appeals when necessary for group life insurance policies.
• Initiate litigation in New Jersey courts if insurers refuse to honor valid claims.
• Pursue additional damages for bad faith conduct where applicable.

Our mission is to recover the full value of your life insurance benefits and ensure that insurance companies meet their obligations under New Jersey law.

Answers to Common Questions About Life Insurance Denials in New Jersey

Can I fight a life insurance denial from Prudential in Newark, NJ?

Yes, if Prudential or any other insurer denied your claim in Newark, you may be able to challenge it in the Superior Court of Essex County. For example, we helped a family in the Ironbound neighborhood recover $250,000 after Prudential denied a claim due to alleged misrepresentation, even though the information had no connection to the cause of death.

What if my life insurance claim was denied after a death in Jersey City?

Claims denied in Jersey City often involve technical disputes, such as alleged application errors or ambiguous exclusions. In one case, we assisted a client whose father died in Greenville, and the insurer tried to deny the claim over a missing medical detail. We recovered the full $312,000 after showing the omission was irrelevant.

Does New Jersey law remove an ex-spouse from a life insurance policy after divorce?

Yes. Under N.J.S.A. 3B:3-14, a divorce generally revokes an ex-spouse’s beneficiary rights unless reaffirmed in writing. For instance, in a Bergen County case, we blocked payment to an ex-wife who hadn’t spoken to the insured in years, restoring benefits to the adult children.

Can a will override the named beneficiary in New Jersey?

No. In New Jersey, life insurance proceeds go to the named beneficiary regardless of what the will says.

What if my claim was denied due to a missed payment, but I never received notice?

New Jersey law requires insurers to provide clear notice before a policy can lapse for nonpayment. In a case from Paterson, the insurer sent notices to an old address. We proved this and recovered $108,000 for the beneficiary.

Is a delayed life insurance claim considered bad faith in New Jersey?

Yes, if an insurer delays payment without a valid reason, that may constitute bad faith. We sued an insurer in Trenton after they delayed a $410,000 claim for 95 days without explanation and secured both benefits and interest penalties.

Can I recover benefits if my spouse died overseas and the claim was denied?

Yes. A foreign death does not automatically justify denial. For example, a client in Hoboken received $325,000 after her husband died in Bulgaria. The insurer had argued jurisdictional limitations, but we showed the exclusion didn’t apply.

What happens if the insurer claims the death wasn’t accidental in an AD&D policy?

Insurers often reclassify deaths to avoid paying AD&D benefits. In one Camden case, we challenged a denial where a man fell off a ladder. The insurer blamed a medical event, but we proved it was an accident and secured full payment.

Can a life insurance claim be denied due to alcohol in the system?

Only if the policy contains a clear alcohol exclusion and the death was directly caused by intoxication. We overturned a denial in Morristown where the insured had low BAC levels but died from a fall unrelated to alcohol.

What should I do if I'm served with a life insurance interpleader complaint in New Jersey?

You must respond quickly. For example, a Union County client contacted us after being served papers, her sister was also claiming the benefit. We represented her in court and proved her designation was valid.

Can life insurance be denied for incorrect information on the application?

Yes, but only if the misstatement was material and intentional. We represented a woman in Edison whose husband had misstated his weight. He died in a car accident, and we showed the misstatement had no bearing on the policy. She received the full payout.

Is it too late to appeal a life insurance denial from two years ago in New Jersey?

Not necessarily. In a Somerset County case, a woman brought us a denial letter that was nearly 30 months old. We found new evidence and successfully reopened and won the claim.

How do I handle a life insurance dispute between siblings in New Jersey?

Beneficiary disputes between siblings are common. In a case in Elizabeth, we represented a daughter who was removed as beneficiary weeks before her father died. We proved undue influence by her brother and restored her rights.

Can I challenge a sudden beneficiary change made right before death?

Yes. For example, in Princeton, a terminally ill man changed his beneficiary to a neighbor. His daughter hired us to investigate, and the court invalidated the change based on lack of capacity.

What if my ERISA group life insurance claim was denied in NJ?

ERISA claims require a specific appeal process. We helped a client in New Brunswick after her employer’s plan denied a $215,000 claim, alleging incomplete enrollment. We documented the employer’s error and secured the payout.

Is New Jersey a community property state?

No. New Jersey is not a community property state.

How long do life insurance companies have to pay a claim in New Jersey?

There is no fixed deadline, but delays over 30–60 days may trigger bad faith laws. A claim in Lakewood was paid only after we threatened litigation over a 75-day delay.

Can I sue the insurer for emotional distress after a denied claim?

Possibly. In Bergenfield, a woman suffered significant distress after a wrongful denial. We filed a bad faith suit and recovered both the benefit and emotional damages.

Can a named beneficiary lose rights due to criminal activity in New Jersey?

Yes. In a Camden case, we blocked benefits to a man convicted of causing his brother’s death. The funds were redirected to the secondary beneficiary.

What if a caregiver is suddenly named as the life insurance beneficiary?

These cases raise red flags. In Edison, we helped a family dispute a caregiver’s designation made days before death, citing coercion. The court reinstated the original beneficiary.

Can a minor child directly receive life insurance money in New Jersey?

No. In an Ocean County case, we helped grandparents set up a guardianship account after their minor grandson was listed as beneficiary.

How do I dispute a denied accidental death claim in a New Jersey drowning case?

We helped a family in Seaside Heights whose loved one drowned. The insurer blamed intoxication, but we proved the BAC was irrelevant and secured full benefits.

What if the insured disappeared and was later declared dead in New Jersey?

In rural Warren County, we helped a family recover after their loved one was missing for seven years and declared deceased. The insurer had refused payment until we intervened.

Can I be denied life insurance benefits if the death occurred in a crime-related incident?

Yes, but only if the crime caused the death. We represented a client in Trenton whose son died in a robbery. The insurer tried to deny based on criminal exclusion—we showed he was an innocent victim.

Can insurers deny a claim for prescription drug use?

They can try. In Paramus, an insurer denied a claim over opioid presence. We showed the medication was prescribed and taken as directed, and the exclusion didn’t apply.

Do I need to go to court to resolve a beneficiary dispute in New Jersey?

Not always. In Hoboken, we settled a sibling dispute without filing suit by presenting strong documentary evidence during mediation.

Can a life insurance policy be reinstated after a denial in NJ?

Sometimes. In a case from Hamilton Township, the insurer improperly canceled a policy for nonpayment. We proved they failed to send the required notice and reinstated the policy.

What if my employer failed to enroll me in group life insurance properly?

We handled a case in Newark where an employer’s HR department forgot to process enrollment forms. After intervention, the family received the $150,000 policy payout.

Can life insurance proceeds be taken by creditors in New Jersey?

Not if there's a named beneficiary.

What happens if the life insurance policy is missing or can’t be found?

In Clifton, we located an old policy via an insurer’s database after a client only had a stub of a premium notice. The family recovered the $200,000 benefit.

Can vague or ambiguous policy language be used to deny a claim?

No. In Jersey City, a client was denied based on a confusing exclusion clause. We argued ambiguity, and the court ruled in her favor.

What if a claim was denied due to an unsigned or incomplete beneficiary change form?

In Union City, a client’s husband submitted a change form but never signed it. The insurer tried to honor it anyway—we got the court to reinstate the original beneficiary.

What if I missed the ERISA appeal deadline?

That could forfeit your claim. A Newark client contacted us just in time—on day 177 of the 180-day deadline—and we filed a winning appeal within 48 hours.

Can I contest a claim denied for a death classified as suicide?

Yes. In a Cherry Hill case, the insurer tried to deny a claim three years after policy issuance. We proved the suicide exclusion had expired and recovered the full amount.

What are my options if a life insurance payout is delayed more than 90 days?

In Montclair, a client’s $300,000 payout was stalled for over three months. We filed a demand letter and received full payment plus interest within two weeks.

What if the insured named a beneficiary under duress or threat?

We recently helped a family in Morristown contest a designation made under threat from an abusive partner. The court invalidated the change and honored the prior beneficiary.

Can I pursue a claim if the insurer cites New Jersey insurance law to deny payment?

Absolutely. In Elizabeth, we overturned a denial where the insurer misapplied a revocation statute after a divorce. The client received $110,000.

Can an old policy still be enforced if no premiums were paid in the last few years?

Yes, if lapse procedures weren’t followed. In Plainfield, we proved notices weren’t sent correctly and reinstated the $75,000 policy.

What happens if no one is listed as the life insurance beneficiary?

The proceeds usually go to the estate. In a case from Toms River, we helped the executor through probate to secure the funds for the decedent’s children.

Contact us for a free consultation.

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: June 14, 2025 | Contact 800-330-2274