Life Insurance Lawyer Albuquerque NM
"Life Insurance Lawyers for Albuquerque, NM – The Lassen Law Firm" In Albuquerque, a vibrant city known for its breathtaking sunsets, unique Southwestern culture, and iconic hot air balloon festivals, navigating life insurance claims can still be a challenging and overwhelming process—especially when benefits are unfairly delayed or denied. At The Lassen Law Firm, we are committed to helping families and individuals in Albuquerque secure the financial protection they deserve. Whether you’re near the lively Old Town, the picturesque Sandia Mountains, or anywhere across Bernalillo County, we provide trusted legal expertise and personalized support every step of the way. Our experienced and trusted New Mexico life insurance lawyers are here to help.
With a proven track record of recovering hundreds of millions in life insurance claims nationwide, The Lassen Law Firm delivers compassionate advocacy, relentless representation, and trusted results for Albuquerque residents seeking justice in insurance disputes.
2025 Albuquerque NM Denied Life Insurance Claims
- AIG accidental death claim $115,000.00
- Lumico misrepresentation health $250,000.00
- Executive Life coronavirus death claim $67,000.00
- Albuquerque NM denied life insurance claim $42,000.00
- Albuquerque New Mexico life insurance claim $60,000.00
- Colonial Penn beneficiary dispute $78,000.00
- Serviceman's Group Life Insurance SGLI $405,321.00
- Genworth drunk driving denial $50,000.00
- AD&D Albuquerque NM denial $102,000.00
- New York Life interpleader $175,000.00
- American Chambers intoxication exclusion $25,000.00
- First National Life material misrepresentation $31,000.00
Albuquerque Denied Life Insurance Claims: Answers to Common Questions
Can a life insurance company in Albuquerque deny a claim due to an undisclosed medical condition?
Yes, especially within the contestability period, typically the first two years. However, the insurer must prove the omission was intentional and material. We recently challenged an Albuquerque denial where the insured’s forgotten asthma history had no connection to the cause of death, forcing a payout.
Does New Mexico law revoke an ex-spouse’s right to life insurance benefits after a divorce in Albuquerque?
Yes. Divorce in New Mexico usually revokes a former spouse’s beneficiary status unless reaffirmed after the divorce. We defended an Albuquerque widow’s rights when an ex-spouse tried to claim outdated policy benefits.
What is an interpleader lawsuit and how does it affect life insurance claims in Albuquerque?
When multiple parties claim the same benefits, insurers file an interpleader in court. In one Albuquerque case, a current spouse and adult child disputed proceeds, and the court ultimately awarded the payout based on updated legal filings.
Can a life insurance policy lapse in Albuquerque if the premium payment was only a few days late?
No, not immediately. Insurers must honor a grace period, typically 30 days. We reinstated coverage for an Albuquerque family after proving the insured died during the grace period despite a missed payment.
Can life insurance be denied in Albuquerque due to a beneficiary’s criminal involvement in the death?
Yes. Under New Mexico’s slayer statute, a beneficiary convicted of intentionally causing the insured’s death cannot collect. In a recent Albuquerque case, the payout instead went to a contingent beneficiary listed on the policy.
What if a life insurance claim is denied in Albuquerque due to alleged fraud on the application?
The insurer must prove intentional fraud. In one Albuquerque dispute, we demonstrated that an omitted minor surgery was unintentional and irrelevant to the insured’s sudden accidental death, securing full benefits.
Can life insurance be denied in Albuquerque for death related to alcohol use?
Yes, but only if intoxication directly caused the death and the policy includes a clear exclusion. We overturned a denial in Albuquerque where alcohol was present but unrelated to the insured’s fatal fall.
Is it legal to name a non-relative as a life insurance beneficiary in Albuquerque?
Absolutely. In one Albuquerque case, we defended a named caregiver’s right to collect life insurance benefits when estranged relatives challenged the payout.
Can a life insurance policy be contested in Albuquerque if a last-minute beneficiary change was made while the insured was hospitalized?
Yes. We recently invalidated a beneficiary change made in an Albuquerque hospital after proving the insured lacked capacity during a critical medical event.
What happens in Albuquerque if no beneficiary is listed or the listed beneficiary is deceased?
The payout typically goes to the estate. We helped an Albuquerque family navigate probate after the named beneficiary predeceased the policyholder without an alternate listed.
Do life insurance delays in Albuquerque ever qualify as bad faith?
Yes. If an insurer drags out a claim without legitimate reason, it may be acting in bad faith. We recently forced an Albuquerque insurer to pay not just the death benefit but significant penalties after months of stalling.
How does New Mexico’s community property law affect life insurance claims in Albuquerque?
Because New Mexico is a community property state, a surviving spouse may claim a portion of the payout even if not listed as a beneficiary—especially if premiums were paid with marital funds. We successfully asserted spousal rights in an Albuquerque dispute involving a second marriage.
Can a life insurance claim in Albuquerque be denied because of suicide?
If suicide occurs within the first two years of policy issuance, most policies allow denial. After that, suicide is generally covered. We fought for a full payout in an Albuquerque case where the insurer wrongly cited suicide outside the exclusion window.
What can be done in Albuquerque if a beneficiary form appears to be forged?
Forgery disputes often lead to court intervention. In one Albuquerque case, we froze the payout pending a handwriting expert review that ultimately reinstated the rightful beneficiary.
Are minor children allowed to directly collect life insurance proceeds in Albuquerque?
No. We assist Albuquerque families by setting up custodial accounts or court-appointed guardianships to hold life insurance benefits for minor beneficiaries until adulthood.
Can employer-provided life insurance in Albuquerque be challenged under state law?
Not always. Employer group policies are usually governed by ERISA. We recently navigated a complex ERISA case in Albuquerque where federal law took precedence over New Mexico divorce rules affecting beneficiary rights.
Can an outdated beneficiary still receive the payout in Albuquerque if the insurer wasn’t notified of a change?
Yes. Insurers must follow the last valid designation on file. In Albuquerque, we saw a case where a former partner received benefits simply because a new form was never submitted before death.
How long does someone in Albuquerque have to challenge a denied life insurance claim?
Typically, six years under New Mexico’s statute of limitations for breach of contract. However, cases involving fraud, ERISA, or new evidence may alter deadlines, so acting quickly after denial is crucial.
Can ambiguous wording in a life insurance policy be used against the beneficiary in Albuquerque?
No. New Mexico courts interpret unclear policy language in favor of the policyholder or beneficiary. We overturned a denial in Albuquerque where vague wording about "hazardous activity" was improperly used to reject a claim.
What evidence is helpful when contesting a life insurance denial in Albuquerque?
Important evidence includes the policy application, medical records, premium payment history, beneficiary forms, and all correspondence with the insurer. In one Albuquerque case, we used bank records showing consistent premium payments to rebut a wrongful lapse denial.
For more information on insurance regulations and consumer protections in New Mexico, you can visit the New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance. Additionally, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) offers nationwide insurance resources.