Life Insurance Lawyer Buffalo NY
"Life Insurance Lawyers for Buffalo, NY – The Lassen Law Firm" In Buffalo, a city celebrated for its rich history, beautiful waterfront, and community pride, navigating life insurance claims can still be a challenging and frustrating experience—especially when benefits are unfairly delayed or denied. At The Lassen Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping families and individuals in Buffalo secure the financial peace of mind they deserve. Whether you’re near the revitalized Canalside, the historic Elmwood Village, or anywhere across Erie County, we provide trusted legal expertise and personalized guidance every step of the way. Our experienced and trusted New York life insurance lawyers are here to help.
With a proven nationwide record of recovering hundreds of millions in life insurance claims, The Lassen Law Firm delivers compassionate advocacy, relentless representation, and trusted results for Buffalo residents seeking justice in insurance disputes.
2025 Buffalo NY Denied Life Insurance Claims
- Ameritas denied coronavirus death claim $225,000.00
- Principal Life felony exclusion $260,000.00
- AD&D denied claim Buffalo NY $450,000.00
- Sentinel intoxication exclusion $99,000.00
- US Financial drunk driving denial of clai $66,000.00
- Liberty Mutual suicide exclusion $250,000.00
- Buffalo life insurance claim $700,000.00
- SGLI Navy life claim dispute $400,000.00
- Stonebridge beneficiary dispute $212,,000.00
- Nationwide interpleader $556,000.00
- Veterans Life dispute $400,000.00
Buffalo Denied Life Insurance Claims: Answers to Common Questions
What should I do if my Buffalo life insurance claim was denied for alleged misrepresentation?
New York law demands that the misstatement be both material and intentional. We recently overturned a Buffalo denial where the insurer tried to void a policy based on a minor, unrelated surgery omission from over a decade ago.
Can I file a lawsuit in Buffalo if my employer promised group life insurance that was never activated?
Yes. We recovered benefits for a Buffalo family after proving the employer deducted premiums but failed to enroll the employee in the group life plan.
What happens if a Buffalo life insurance beneficiary died before the insured?
If no contingent beneficiary is named, the payout typically goes to the estate. We assisted a family in Erie County Surrogate’s Court to secure life insurance proceeds after the original beneficiary predeceased the insured.
Can a handwritten beneficiary change be enforced in Buffalo?
It can be valid if the intent is clear and it meets legal standards. We enforced a handwritten change for a Buffalo client where the insurer initially refused to recognize an informal update.
Does New York’s slayer rule apply in Buffalo life insurance cases?
Yes. In a recent Buffalo dispute, we helped prevent a named beneficiary from collecting after evidence surfaced that they caused the insured’s death.
What if a life insurance policy lapsed in Buffalo during hospitalization or incapacity?
New York requires strict lapse notice compliance. We reinstated a Buffalo policy after showing the insured never received proper lapse warnings due to being hospitalized.
Is a will enough to override a Buffalo life insurance beneficiary?
No. Life insurance pays the named beneficiary regardless of a conflicting will. We defended a beneficiary’s rights in Buffalo after relatives tried to claim proceeds through a will.
How long should a life insurance claim take to pay out in Buffalo?
Typically 30–60 days. When an insurer in Buffalo delayed a widow’s payment without cause, we recovered both the full benefit and statutory interest.
Can a domestic partner in Buffalo collect life insurance if not legally married?
Yes, if they are the named beneficiary. We successfully defended a domestic partner’s payout rights in a Buffalo case challenged by extended family.
What if a Buffalo insurer denies the claim due to toxicology results?
Unless the cause of death clearly fits a policy exclusion, toxicology alone doesn’t justify denial. We overturned a Buffalo claim denial where the insurer misused pending toxicology to delay rightful payment.
Can I stop a fraudulent life insurance payout in Buffalo?
Yes. We secured an emergency injunction in Erie County Supreme Court to freeze funds after uncovering a forged beneficiary designation.
Can I collect life insurance in Buffalo if the death occurred in Canada?
Yes, unless the policy has a specific foreign death exclusion. We handled a Buffalo case involving a Canadian death where the insurer initially stalled the payout without valid grounds.
Can life insurance be denied in Buffalo for marijuana use?
Only if marijuana directly caused the death and was excluded by clear policy terms. We defeated a marijuana-based denial in Buffalo where recreational use was cited without any connection to the death.
Can a minor child collect life insurance in Buffalo?
Yes, but the funds must be managed by a guardian or placed in a custodial account. We helped a Buffalo family establish court-approved guardianship to protect a minor’s inheritance.
What if a Buffalo insurer claims “policy never activated” despite payments made?
If a conditional receipt was issued or payments were accepted, the coverage likely began. We proved active coverage in a Buffalo case where an insurer tried to deny based on administrative errors.
What happens if a life insurance claim in Buffalo is denied due to “foreign travel”?
The insurer must prove the death falls within a clearly stated exclusion. We recently secured a payout for a Buffalo resident after challenging an insurer’s overbroad foreign travel denial.
Can I claim life insurance in Buffalo from a policy bought online?
Yes. Online life insurance contracts are fully valid under New York law. We enforced a digital policy for a Buffalo client when the insurer questioned the lack of paper signatures.
What if the insured in Buffalo died during surgery—will life insurance still pay?
Standard life insurance usually covers surgical deaths. We successfully challenged a Buffalo insurer’s denial that wrongly categorized a surgical death under an accidental death exclusion.
Can interest be recovered on a delayed Buffalo life insurance payout?
Yes. We recovered statutory interest for a Buffalo widow after proving the insurer unreasonably delayed payment beyond the allowed processing time.
Can a stepchild in Buffalo collect life insurance if not named on the policy?
Only if formally listed. However, we pursued equitable claims for a financially dependent Buffalo stepchild where promises of coverage were made but not documented.
For more information on insurance regulations and consumer protections in New York, you can visit the New York State Department of Financial Services. Additionally, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) offers nationwide insurance resources.