Pennsylvania Life Insurance Lawyer

Life Insurance Lawyers Serving All 67 Pennsylvania Counties

Christian Lassen, Esq. | Licensed in Pennsylvania (PA 87022) | 25 Years Experience | Hundreds of Millions Recovered

If your life insurance claim was denied in Pennsylvania, you're not alone and you're not out of options. At The Lassen Law Firm, we focus exclusively on life insurance litigation and have helped families throughout Pennsylvania recover millions in wrongfully denied death benefits. Whether your case involves a policy lapse, misrepresentation allegation, or a contested beneficiary change, we have the experience to challenge the denial and pursue the full payout.

Led by nationally recognized life insurance attorney Christian Lassen, quoted by The Wall Street Journal and rated 10.0 by AVVO, our firm serves clients in every region of Pennsylvania. We handle denied life insurance claims in all 67 counties, and we never charge a fee unless we recover for you.

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

Life insurance companies in Pennsylvania sometimes deny valid claims, leaving grieving families without the financial protection they were promised. If you’re facing a denied life insurance claim in Pennsylvania, The Lassen Law Firm can step in to challenge the denial and work to recover the benefits you’re entitled to.

In Pennsylvania, life insurance beneficiary disputes commonly involve contested policy changes, legal conflicts among relatives, or challenges after divorce. If you're facing a life insurance beneficiary dispute in Pennsylvania, The Lassen Law Firm can help you assert your rights and recover the benefits you’re entitled to.

In Pennsylvania, when life insurance proceeds are contested, insurers often file an interpleader action in Pennsylvania to avoid liability and let the court determine the rightful beneficiary.

Navigating life insurance claims in Pennsylvania can be complex, particularly when dealing with denied payouts or bad faith insurance practices. At The Lassen Law Firm, with an office in Philadelphia, we are proud to support individuals and families across the Keystone State, helping them recover the benefits they deserve. We serve clients statewide, from rural communities to large metro areas, with no need to travel to our office.

As experienced Pennsylvania life insurance attorneys handling cases nationwide, we’ve successfully recovered hundreds of millions in policies for our clients. At The Lassen Law Firm, we bring dedication, legal knowledge, and compassionate advocacy to every case we handle, ensuring justice for all. 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 Pennsylvania? We’re Ready to Fight for Your Benefits

Life insurance is meant to ease financial burdens after the loss of a loved one, not create new obstacles. Yet in Pennsylvania, many families find themselves facing wrongful denials, unreasonable delays, or reduced payouts. If your life insurance claim has been denied, our Pennsylvania life insurance attorneys are ready to take immediate action to protect your rights and pursue the benefits you were promised. If you’ve encountered a denied accidental death insurance claim in Pennsylvania, our firm can help you dispute it and pursue the benefits your family deserves.

Insurance companies operating in Pennsylvania must handle claims fairly, promptly, and in good faith. When insurers act unfairly or in bad faith, they can be held accountable under Pennsylvania law, and additional damages may be available. We offer free consultations and charge no fees unless we successfully recover benefits for you.

Understanding Contestability Periods and Life Insurance Denials in Pennsylvania

Nearly all life insurance policies issued in Pennsylvania contain a two-year contestability period. During this window, insurers are allowed to investigate claims and deny benefits based on alleged material misrepresentations made during the application process. After the contestability period expires, insurers typically can only deny claims if they can prove fraud.

Importantly, only material misstatements, errors that would have affected the insurer’s decision to issue or price the policy, provide grounds for rescission. Minor mistakes, misunderstandings, or omissions unrelated to the risk being insured are not enough to justify denial under Pennsylvania law.

If your claim was denied during or after the contestability period, an experienced Pennsylvania life insurance attorney can evaluate whether the insurer’s actions were lawful.

Common Reasons Life Insurance Claims Are Denied in Pennsylvania

While each case is different, insurers in Pennsylvania often rely on familiar tactics when denying life insurance claims. Common reasons include:

Allegations of Application Misstatements

Claims that the insured failed to disclose health conditions, medication use, or risky activities such as skydiving or scuba diving.

Policy Lapse Due to Nonpayment

Pennsylvania insurers may reject claims by citing nonpayment, but we frequently challenge the policy lapse basis for denial when required notices were delayed or never sent.

Exclusions for Specific Causes of Death

Deaths involving suicide (within exclusion periods), participation in illegal acts, or hazardous hobbies may be excluded depending on the policy terms.

Beneficiary Disputes

Conflicts between family members or claims involving outdated beneficiary designations can delay or derail payment.

Employer Mistakes in Group Life Insurance Plans

Errors made during group enrollment or administration can leave families without expected coverage.

Delays Related to Death Investigations

While insurers may delay payment if a death is under investigation, Pennsylvania law prohibits unreasonable delays without valid cause.

Even if the insurer presents a detailed explanation, many life insurance denials can be challenged.

What to Do After a Life Insurance Denial in Pennsylvania

Taking decisive steps after a denial can protect your rights and strengthen your claim. You should:

• Request a complete copy of the life insurance policy, the original application, and any endorsements or amendments.
• Review the denial letter carefully and document the reasons cited by the insurer.
• Save all communications with the insurer, including letters, emails, and summaries of phone conversations.
• Avoid providing additional documentation or statements without consulting a life insurance attorney.
• Contact a Pennsylvania life insurance lawyer promptly to review your claim and prepare a legal strategy.

Pennsylvania’s insurance laws also allow beneficiaries to recover additional damages if an insurer acted in bad faith in handling a life insurance claim.

How Our Pennsylvania Life Insurance Attorneys Challenge Denied Claims

When you work with our firm, you gain a team dedicated solely to representing life insurance beneficiaries. We will:

• Analyze your insurance policy, the denial letter, and all underlying documents for legal and factual weaknesses.
• Challenge improper contestability rescissions, lapse defenses, and policy exclusions.
• Manage all communications and negotiations with the insurance company on your behalf.
• Prepare administrative appeals when necessary for group life insurance governed by ERISA.
• Litigate denied claims in Pennsylvania courts when insurers refuse to pay valid claims.
• Pursue additional damages if the insurer’s conduct qualifies as bad faith under Pennsylvania law.

Our mission is to recover the full life insurance benefits your family deserves and to hold insurers accountable when they act unfairly or unlawfully.

Federal life insurance denials under SGLI and FEGLI often stem from administrative issues, outdated paperwork, or misunderstood policy terms. We assist Pennsylvania families in disputing denied Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance claims and securing benefits wrongfully withheld under the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance program.

When life insurance is provided through a private employer, it’s generally governed by ERISA. Our attorneys represent Pennsylvania clients facing denied ERISA life insurance claims and guide them through the appeals process required under federal law.

Answers to Common Questions About Life Insurance Denials in Pennsylvania

Can an ex-spouse automatically be removed as beneficiary after divorce in Pennsylvania?

Yes. In Pennsylvania, if a divorce occurs, the law generally treats the ex-spouse’s beneficiary designation as revoked, unless the policyholder reaffirmed it after the divorce or indicated otherwise. For instance, we represented a client in Harrisburg whose father passed away without updating his policy after divorce. Despite the ex-wife being named, we successfully had the court recognize our client’s right to the benefit due to the revocation statute.

Can I challenge a denied life insurance claim in Philadelphia?

Yes, and we’ve done it successfully. For example, we helped a client in West Philly recover $507,000 after the insurer cited a vague exclusion. We showed the exclusion didn’t apply and held the insurer accountable in Pennsylvania court.

What happens if a life insurance policy lapsed due to missed premiums in Pittsburgh?

In one Pittsburgh case, the insurer denied a claim after claiming a lapse for nonpayment. We proved that the company failed to send proper notice and recovered $211,750 for the family.

Can a beneficiary dispute be resolved without going to court in Pennsylvania?

Often, yes. In Allentown, we mediated a dispute between siblings over a $300,000 policy. With clear documentation and legal pressure, we resolved the case without litigation.

What if the insured died in a foreign country and the insurer denied the claim?

We represented a Reading client whose husband died in Mexico. The insurer denied the claim citing "foreign death complications," but we forced a reversal and recovered $265,300.

Can I sue for a denied accidental death claim in Scranton?

Absolutely. We helped a family in Scranton recover $920,000 after an AD&D claim was denied for allegedly being "natural causes." Our medical expert showed the death resulted from a fall, not a health issue.

What if a Pennsylvania insurer delayed a claim for more than 90 days?

Insurers in Pennsylvania must act in good faith. In Erie, we compelled an insurer to pay a delayed $112,500 claim plus interest after proving the delay was unjustified.

Can a caregiver named as beneficiary be challenged in Lancaster?

Yes. In a Lancaster case, an elderly man changed his beneficiary to a caretaker just before passing. We helped the family present evidence of undue influence and reinstated the original beneficiary.

What if my group life insurance was denied due to employer error?

In a Bethlehem case, an employer failed to process a new hire’s group life insurance paperwork. We pursued the employer and insurer and secured $150,000 for the family.

Can I recover benefits if the insured was involved in a felony in Pennsylvania?

It depends. In a case from Wilkes-Barre, we defended a claim where the insured died during a robbery. The insurer tried to invoke the felony exclusion, but we showed he was an innocent bystander, and the claim was paid.

Can vague policy language be used to deny a life insurance claim in PA?

No. Pennsylvania courts require ambiguity to be interpreted in favor of the insured. We used this in a case out of State College to reverse a $126,000 denial involving confusing policy language.

What if the insurer said the death was suicide, but it happened three years into the policy?

Suicide exclusions typically expire after two years. In York, we secured $253,700 for a family after the insurer misapplied a suicide exclusion beyond the exclusion window.

Can I dispute a change in beneficiary made under suspicious circumstances?

Yes. In Norristown, we contested a last-minute beneficiary change made in a hospital setting. Medical records supported our case, and the prior beneficiary was restored.

Can I get a life insurance payout in PA if the insured’s body wasn’t found?

Yes, if the person has been declared legally dead. In Altoona, we helped a family recover $214,000 after the court declared their missing loved one deceased after five years.

What if a life insurance claim was denied over a drug in the system?

In Lancaster County, we reversed a denial based on prescription medication. We proved the drug was doctor-prescribed and had no causal link to the death, leading to full payment.

Can an insurer use alcohol exclusion to deny benefits in PA?

Only if it clearly contributed to the death. In a case from Reading, we showed that alcohol was not a factor in a fatal accident, and the insurer paid the $155,000 benefit.

Do I have to go through probate if no beneficiary was named?

Usually, yes. In Chester, we helped an estate executor recover funds through Pennsylvania probate court when the policy lacked a named beneficiary.

Can my denied claim be reopened if I have new evidence?

Yes. In Easton, we reopened a claim denied two years earlier after discovering new medical records. The insurer reversed its decision and paid $148,200.

Is a will enough to override a beneficiary designation in Pennsylvania?

No. The policy controls unless there's evidence of fraud or lack of capacity.

How long do insurers have to pay a life insurance claim in PA?

Pennsylvania doesn’t set an exact timeline, but delays over 60 days may be unreasonable. In Hazleton, we filed a bad faith complaint after a 90-day delay and secured $300,000 plus interest.

Can I contest a life insurance denial due to incomplete beneficiary change paperwork?

Yes. In a Philadelphia suburb, the insured attempted a beneficiary change but failed to submit the final form. We successfully argued the original beneficiary remained in place.

What if my ERISA life insurance appeal window expired?

ERISA deadlines are strict. In Pittsburgh, a widow contacted us one day before the 180-day deadline. We filed an appeal the same day and later recovered $417,000.

What happens if the insurer denies a claim citing Pennsylvania law incorrectly?

Insurers often misapply state statutes. In Harrisburg, we showed the insurer misunderstood divorce-related revocation laws and recovered $1,000,000 for the rightful beneficiary.

Can a Pennsylvania life insurance policy be enforced years after it supposedly lapsed?

Yes, if lapse procedures weren’t properly followed. In Scranton, we reversed a denial where the insurer failed to send a final lapse notice.

Are children required to have guardianship accounts to receive benefits?

Yes, minors cannot receive direct payouts. In a Bucks County case, we helped a family set up a custodial account to manage a $105,000 benefit for a minor child.

What if the insured died while traveling but the insurer cites a geographic exclusion?

We handled a case in York where an insurer cited a foreign death exclusion. We proved the exclusion didn’t apply and recovered $389,000 for the widow.

Can life insurance proceeds be protected from creditors in Pennsylvania?

Yes, if there’s a named beneficiary.

Is there a penalty for bad faith denials in Pennsylvania?

Yes. In a case from Lancaster, we secured punitive damages on top of the $250,000 benefit due to the insurer’s bad faith conduct.

What if a policyholder’s employer never submitted enrollment paperwork?

In Montgomery County, we resolved a case where a union member believed he had coverage. We forced the union’s insurer to honor the promised policy and paid the family $120,000.

Can a denied accidental death claim be appealed in Pennsylvania?

Yes. In Wilkes-Barre, a denied AD&D claim was reversed after we proved the fall was truly accidental. The insurer paid the full $208,300.

What if a verbal promise was made about life insurance but not in writing?

Verbal promises usually aren’t enforceable. However, in a Harrisburg case, we uncovered emails that supported a claim and successfully enforced a $292,000 policy.

Are ERISA appeals more complex than private policy disputes?

Yes. ERISA limits discovery and remedies. In Philadelphia, we helped a client navigate strict appeal requirements and win a $265,000 group life payout.

What happens when multiple people claim the same life insurance benefit?

Interpleader actions are common. In York, we represented a daughter in court after the insurer filed an interpleader. We proved her status and secured the $175,000 benefit.

Can an insurer deny a claim for incomplete application answers?

Only if the omissions were material. In Erie, we reversed a denial after showing missing info had no impact on the policy underwriting.

What if a beneficiary form was forged?

Forgery is serious. In Scranton, we uncovered a fraudulent change and had the prior legitimate beneficiary reinstated by court order.

Can you still recover if the policy was decades old?

Yes. In a Pittsburgh case, we recovered on a 30-year-old policy where the family had no paperwork. We tracked down the issuing company and secured payment.

What if the policyholder had dementia at the time of the beneficiary change?

In a case from Allentown, we used medical records to show the policyholder lacked capacity. The change was voided and benefits redirected to the prior beneficiary.

Can a claim be denied for failure to disclose a health condition that had no link to death?

Not legally. In Reading, we reversed a denial based on a missed diabetes disclosure after proving the death was caused by an accident, not the health condition.

What if no one has a copy of the insurance policy?

We’ve recovered claims without a policy copy. In Lancaster, we contacted the insurer directly and verified the policy through their internal records, then secured the benefit.

Contact us today 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

The Lassen Law Firm

1515 Market Street #1510, Philadelphia, PA 19102

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