Life Insurance Lawyer Rhode Island

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

In Rhode Island, families may be left without critical financial support when a life insurance provider wrongfully denies a claim. If you're dealing with a life insurance benefit denial in Rhode Island, The Lassen Law Firm is ready to fight for your rights and pursue the full payout your loved one intended.

Life insurance beneficiary disputes in Rhode Island often stem from conflicting claims between relatives, outdated beneficiary designations, or suspected fraud. If you're involved in a life insurance beneficiary dispute in Rhode Island, The Lassen Law Firm can help you take legal action to protect your rightful interest in the policy.

When multiple individuals claim life insurance benefits in Rhode Island, insurers typically file an interpleader lawsuit in Rhode Island to place the decision in the court’s hands and avoid paying the wrong party.

Trusted Life Insurance Lawyers Rhode Island: The Lassen Law Firm

Dealing with life insurance claims in Rhode Island can be daunting, especially when facing denied benefits or bad faith insurance practices. At The Lassen Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping individuals and families across the Ocean State recover the payouts they deserve. Whether you’re in Providence, Warwick, Cranston, Pawtucket, or any other part of Rhode Island, we provide expert legal guidance and personalized support to every client.

With a nationwide presence, our experienced life insurance attorneys have successfully recovered hundreds of millions in policies for our clients. At The Lassen Law Firm, we bring dedication, legal expertise, and relentless advocacy to fight for justice for those we represent. 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 24 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 Rhode Island? We’re Ready to Advocate for You

Life insurance promises financial protection when families need it most. Sadly, in Rhode Island, beneficiaries often face unexpected denials, long delays, or lowball settlement offers when they attempt to collect life insurance proceeds. If your claim has been denied, our Rhode Island life insurance attorneys are ready to step in, enforce your rights, and fight for the benefits you were promised.

Insurance companies doing business in Rhode Island are required to handle claims fairly, promptly, and in good faith. When insurers violate these duties, Rhode Island law provides remedies, including potential claims for bad faith conduct. We offer free consultations and only charge fees if we recover benefits for you.

Contestability Periods and Life Insurance Claims in Rhode Island

Most life insurance policies in Rhode Island include a two-year contestability period. During this time, insurers may deny claims if they discover material misstatements made during the initial application process. Once the two-year period expires, insurers generally cannot deny a claim based on application errors unless they can prove intentional fraud.

It’s important to understand that only material misrepresentations — mistakes that would have influenced the insurer’s decision to issue or price the policy — allow for denial. Honest mistakes, irrelevant omissions, and minor inaccuracies typically do not justify rescinding coverage under Rhode Island law.

If your claim was denied based on contestability arguments, you should have an experienced Rhode Island life insurance attorney review the denial to determine whether the insurer acted lawfully.

Common Reasons Life Insurance Claims Are Denied in Rhode Island

Although the specifics vary, insurers often use familiar strategies when denying life insurance claims. In Rhode Island, frequent reasons for denial include:

Alleged Misrepresentations in the Application: Claims that the insured failed to disclose medical conditions, tobacco use, or risky hobbies.
Policy Lapse for Nonpayment: Missed premiums may be cited, but Rhode Island law requires insurers to provide advance notice and a grace period before terminating coverage.
Exclusions for Certain Causes of Death: Deaths connected to suicide (within exclusion periods), criminal activities, or hazardous activities may be excluded based on policy language.
Beneficiary Disputes: Conflicts between surviving family members, questions about outdated designations, or allegations of undue influence can delay claims.
Group Life Insurance Administration Errors: Mistakes made during enrollment or policy administration by employers can wrongfully deprive beneficiaries of coverage.
Delays Related to Death Investigations: While insurers may delay claims if a death is under investigation, they are still required to act reasonably and in good faith under Rhode Island law.

Even if the insurer appears confident in its denial, many claim denials are flawed and can be successfully overturned with strong legal advocacy.

Important Steps to Take After a Life Insurance Denial in Rhode Island

Taking the right steps immediately after receiving a denial is critical. You should:

Request and review a complete copy of the insurance policy, application, and any policy riders or amendments.
Save the denial letter and carefully document the insurer’s stated reasons.
Keep copies of all correspondence with the insurance company.
Avoid making additional statements or submissions without consulting a life insurance attorney.
Contact a Rhode Island life insurance lawyer right away to evaluate your case and begin preparing a legal strategy.

Rhode Island law also allows beneficiaries to seek extra-contractual damages if the insurer engages in unfair claim practices or bad faith behavior.

How Our Rhode Island Life Insurance Attorneys Handle Denied Claims

When you hire our firm, you gain a legal team dedicated to protecting life insurance beneficiaries. We will:

Analyze your policy, the denial letter, and all associated application materials.
Identify violations of Rhode Island insurance law and unfair settlement practices.
Challenge wrongful contestability rescissions, policy lapses, and improper exclusions.
Manage all communication and negotiations with the insurance company.
File administrative appeals when necessary, particularly for group life insurance governed by ERISA.
Litigate wrongful denials in Rhode Island courts when insurers refuse to pay valid claims.
Pursue additional damages if the insurer’s behavior rises to the level of bad faith.

Our commitment is to secure the full life insurance benefits your family deserves and to hold insurers accountable when they break their legal obligations.

Rhode Island Denied Life Insurance Claims: Answers to Common Questions

What Should I Do If My Life Insurance Claim Was Denied in Rhode Island?

If your life insurance claim was denied in Rhode Island, consult a skilled Rhode Island life insurance attorney immediately. In a recent case in Warwick, we successfully overturned a denial where the insurer misapplied a health exclusion.

How Do I Respond to a Life Insurance Interpleader Lawsuit in Rhode Island?

An interpleader action means the insurer is asking the court to resolve competing claims. We recently defended a claimant in Providence who faced an interpleader filed by two distant relatives.

What If I'm Involved in a Life Insurance Beneficiary Dispute in Rhode Island?

Beneficiary disputes often involve ex-spouses or children from previous relationships. In Cranston, we resolved a heated dispute between an ex-wife and adult children over a contested policy.

Why Are Accidental Death & Dismemberment Claims Denied in Rhode Island?

Insurers often deny AD&D claims by blaming pre-existing conditions. In Pawtucket, we proved a workplace fall was purely accidental and forced the insurer to pay.

Can a Policy Lapse Lead to a Denied Life Insurance Claim in Rhode Island?

Yes, but only if the insurer followed all notice rules. We recently overturned a lapse denial in East Providence where the required 30-day grace period notice was never sent.

Can Misrepresentation on an Application Be a Valid Reason for Denial in Rhode Island?

Only if it was material and intentional. In Newport, we helped a client recover benefits by showing that an omitted prescription medication had no bearing on the cause of death.

Can an Alcohol Exclusion Prevent Payment on a Life Insurance Policy in Rhode Island?

It can, but only if alcohol directly caused the death. In Woonsocket, we challenged a wrongful alcohol exclusion denial where alcohol was not the proximate cause.

What Should I Do If My Group Life Insurance Claim Was Denied Under ERISA in Rhode Island?

Under ERISA, you get only one appeal. We successfully appealed a denied ERISA claim for a family in Cumberland after showing administrative errors in the handling of enrollment forms.

What Is the Contestability Period in Rhode Island Life Insurance Policies?

The two-year contestability window allows insurers to investigate misstatements. In Central Falls, we fought back against a contestability denial by showing the misstatement was unrelated to the cause of death.

What If I Receive a Denial Letter Referencing Rhode Island Law?

Insurers sometimes misinterpret Rhode Island law. We recently caught a mistake in a denial letter issued to a client in North Kingstown and reversed the decision.

Which Rhode Island Life Insurance Companies Deny the Most Claims?

MetLife and Providence Mutual, both active in Warwick, have been involved in disputed claims. We represent clients against all life insurers in Rhode Island.

Does Rhode Island Law Revoke Ex-Spouse Beneficiary Designations After Divorce?

Yes. In Tiverton, we helped the children of a deceased father claim the benefit after the insurer wrongfully awarded the payout to a former spouse.

Is Rhode Island a Community Property State and Does It Affect Life Insurance?

No. Rhode Island is not a community property state, but we’ve assisted spouses in Johnston in asserting their rights when marital funds were used to pay premiums.

Can a Will Override a Life Insurance Beneficiary in Rhode Island?

No. A life insurance policy’s beneficiary designation controls. In Barrington, we defended a named beneficiary who was challenged by relatives citing a conflicting will.

What Do Rhode Island Life Insurance Attorneys Charge?

We work on a contingency fee basis—you don’t owe us anything unless we recover your benefit.

Can a Life Insurance Claim in Rhode Island Be Denied for a Death That Occurred Outside the U.S.?

Yes, but only if a foreign death exclusion is valid and clearly applies. In Westerly, we successfully fought a denial involving a death that occurred during a vacation abroad.

What Happens If a Beneficiary Was Changed Shortly Before Death in Rhode Island?

Late changes can be challenged. In Bristol, we invalidated a change that had been made just days before death under suspicious circumstances.

What Should I Do If My Rhode Island Life Insurance Claim Is Being Delayed Without Explanation?

Unreasonable delays may amount to bad faith. In South Kingstown, we forced an insurer to pay promptly after dragging out a legitimate claim for months.

Can an Insurer in Rhode Island Deny an AD&D Claim by Calling the Death Natural?

Yes, but we frequently dispute this. In Lincoln, we proved that a fatal car crash met the policy's definition of accidental death.

What If a Rhode Island Life Insurance Agent Made a Mistake on the Application?

If the agent made the error, the insurer may still owe benefits. In Narragansett, we overturned a denial based on an agent’s incomplete application entry.

What Qualifies as Bad Faith in a Rhode Island Life Insurance Denial?

Bad faith includes unreasonable delays, inadequate investigations, and misrepresentations. We recently secured punitive damages in a Warwick case involving egregious delay tactics.

Can I Appeal a Life Insurance Denial Made During the Contestability Period in Rhode Island?

Absolutely. In Portsmouth, we successfully appealed a denial issued during contestability by showing the alleged misstatement was irrelevant.

Are ERISA Life Insurance Claims Harder to Win in Rhode Island?

They are procedurally tougher, but our Rhode Island attorneys routinely succeed in federal court and administrative appeals.

What Happens If There’s No Beneficiary Listed on a Rhode Island Life Insurance Policy?

The proceeds usually go to the estate. We helped a family in Scituate claim an estate-based payout through Rhode Island probate court.

Can I Dispute a Questionable Beneficiary Change in Rhode Island?

Yes. In Smithfield, we contested a change made while the insured was incapacitated and successfully restored the original beneficiary.

Do Life Insurers in Rhode Island Have to Provide Notice Before Canceling a Policy?

Yes. Failure to give proper notice before lapse can invalidate a cancellation, as we proved in a recent Providence County case.

What Happens With Union or Group Life Insurance Coverage in Rhode Island?

Group policies often involve ERISA rules and employer mistakes. We helped a teacher in Warwick recover a denied group benefit caused by an HR enrollment error.

Can More Than One Person Claim the Same Life Insurance Benefit in Rhode Island?

Yes. The insurer may file an interpleader. We successfully defended a client’s share in a Cranston interpleader action.

What If the Insured Person in Rhode Island Went Missing and Was Declared Legally Dead?

After a court declaration of death, the claim can proceed. We helped a family in Exeter navigate this process and recover benefits.

What Are the Appeal Deadlines for Denied Life Insurance Claims in Rhode Island?

ERISA claims must be appealed within 180 days. State policies may have different timelines. We ensure all Rhode Island appeals are filed properly and timely.

Are Verbal Agreements About Life Insurance Enforceable in Rhode Island?

Generally not. Rhode Island law requires written designations, but we sometimes pursue equitable claims when fraud or deceit is involved.

Are Life Insurance Benefits Protected From Creditors in Rhode Island?

Yes, when a living beneficiary is named. If the proceeds go to the estate, creditors may access the funds through probate.

Can Unclear Life Insurance Policy Language Lead to a Denial in Rhode Island?

Ambiguous terms must be interpreted in favor of the beneficiary under Rhode Island law. We challenge denials based on vague language.

Can a Lapsed Life Insurance Policy Still Pay Out in Rhode Island?

Yes, if the insurer failed to meet cancellation notice requirements or if reinstatement efforts were made.

What If the Rhode Island Policy Was Canceled for Non-Payment?

We check if proper notice was given. If it wasn’t, as we recently proved in Little Compton, the policy might still be enforceable.

Can a Child Receive Life Insurance Money in Rhode Island?

Yes. If a minor is named, a guardian or trust may need to be set up. We help families in Rhode Island manage minor beneficiaries’ proceeds safely.

Can Rhode Island Insurers Deny a Claim Based on Fraud Allegations?

Only if they can prove fraud with solid evidence. We frequently defeat denials based on vague or unfounded accusations.

Can a Life Insurance Dispute in Rhode Island Be Resolved Without Going to Court?

Yes. Many are resolved through negotiation or mediation, but we are fully prepared to litigate if necessary.

What Happens If a Beneficiary Change Form Wasn’t Submitted in Rhode Island?

If the change wasn’t finalized, the original beneficiary may still prevail. We help enforce the insured’s original intentions.

Are Older Life Insurance Policies Still Enforceable in Rhode Island?

Yes. If the policy was active at the time of death, even older Rhode Island policies remain fully valid.

How Can I Prove I’m the Correct Life Insurance Beneficiary Under Rhode Island Law?

We compile policy records, communications, witness testimony, and legal documents to present the strongest case possible.

2025 Rhode Island Denied Life Insurance Claims: settlements & verdicts

Below are examples of Rhode Island life insurance claims successfully resolved.

Transamerica’s coronavirus-related death denial was overturned, resulting in a favorable settlement of $504,000 by clarifying pandemic coverage provisions.
Settlers Life’s denial based on chronic illness exclusion was successfully contested, recovering $15,000 by demonstrating insurer misinterpretation.
North American Life’s COVID-19 denial was successfully overturned, securing a payout of $106,000 through effective advocacy.
American Chambers Life’s exclusion-based denial was successfully challenged, recovering $33,000 by addressing ambiguous policy language.
Lincoln Memorial Life’s felony exclusion denial was overturned, securing $76,000 by demonstrating insurer misapplication of criminal exclusions.
Guarantee Security Life’s interpleader lawsuit was resolved favorably, awarding beneficiaries $51,000 by clearly establishing rightful entitlement.
Inter-American Life’s denial due to unauthorized power of attorney changes was successfully contested, recovering $18,000 through validated documentation.
A Rhode Island mass shooting-related life claim denial was successfully overturned, recovering $92,000 by addressing ambiguous exclusions.
Mutual Benefit Life’s chronic illness exclusion denial was successfully contested, securing $57,000 by proving insurer misinterpretation.
First National Life’s denial involving a self-inflicted injury (hanging) was overturned, securing $130,000 through litigation clarifying accidental death provisions.
AAA Life’s material misrepresentation denial was successfully contested, recovering $95,000 by establishing non-intentional inaccuracies.
Forethought Life’s felony exclusion denial was successfully overturned, recovering $144,000 by clarifying insurer misapplication.
Colorado Bankers Life’s denial due to an incorrect Social Security number was successfully challenged, recovering $40,000 by proving clerical error.
Zander Life’s denial linked to undisclosed cancer in medical records was successfully contested, securing $23,000 through demonstrating underwriting oversights.
Phoenix Life’s contestable period denial was successfully contested, securing $39,000 through litigation clarifying policy terms.
Prudential’s invalid beneficiary designation denial was overturned, recovering $405,000 by demonstrating insurer administrative errors.
HSBC’s felony exclusion denial involving alleged criminal activity was successfully contested, securing $321,000 by proving insurer misinterpretation.
AIG’s denial related to alcohol exclusion from drunk driving death was successfully challenged, recovering $288,000 by clarifying alcohol’s indirect role.
A substantial Rhode Island denied life insurance claim totaling $1,653,000 was successfully litigated, emphasizing extensive insurer procedural mistakes.
Globe Life’s contestable period denial involving medical issues was successfully overturned, recovering $104,000 through advocacy clarifying policy terms.
A FEGLI appeal was successfully resolved through expert legal briefing, securing $139,000 by demonstrating insurer procedural failures.
Stonebridge Life’s denial claiming the policy was not in force was overturned, securing $250,000 by proving insurer administrative errors.
An ERISA-governed appeal denial of benefits was successfully contested, recovering $184,000 by establishing federal guideline violations.
Gerber Life’s sickness exclusion denial was favorably resolved, recovering $277,000 through effective advocacy clarifying policy terms.
Another significant Rhode Island denied life insurance claim totaling $2,045,200 was successfully resolved through strategic litigation highlighting insurer errors.
An SGLI dispute involving an ex-wife versus child beneficiary was successfully resolved, securing a $400,000 payout.
American General’s interpleader lawsuit was favorably resolved, awarding beneficiaries $300,000 by clearly establishing rightful entitlement.
Genworth’s prescription drug exclusion denial was overturned, securing $109,000 through litigation demonstrating medical legitimacy.
A Rhode Island divorce-related life insurance denial totaling $518,000 was favorably resolved by clarifying post-divorce beneficiary entitlement.
Nationwide’s autoerotic asphyxiation-related denial was successfully contested, recovering $253,000 through clarifying accidental death coverage.
A Rhode Island bad faith life insurance claim denial was successfully resolved, securing $629,000 by highlighting insurer misconduct and procedural errors.
AARP’s denial based on alleged misrepresentation was overturned, recovering $301,900 by proving inaccuracies were non-intentional.

Every denied claim is unique. In Rhode Island, we know how to maximize your chance of recovering the full life insurance payout.

Legal References – Rhode Island

Rhode Island Contestability Clause Law: Under Rhode Island law, life insurance policies become incontestable after they have been in force during the lifetime of the insured for two years from the policy's date, except for nonpayment of premiums. During this contestability period, insurers may deny claims based on material misrepresentations made in the application.
Automatic Revocation of Ex-Spouse Beneficiaries: Rhode Island law does not automatically revoke a former spouse's designation as a beneficiary on a life insurance policy upon divorce. Therefore, unless the policyholder updates the beneficiary designation after divorce, the ex-spouse may remain the beneficiary.
Equitable Distribution Laws: Rhode Island is an equitable distribution state, not a community property state. This means that life insurance proceeds are distributed according to the policy's beneficiary designation, and a surviving spouse is not automatically entitled to the death benefit unless named as a beneficiary or granted rights through a court order or marital agreement.
ERISA & Group Policies: Employer-provided life insurance policies governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) may preempt Rhode Island's state laws in cases involving contested beneficiaries, including disputes with former spouses. In such cases, the beneficiary designation on the policy typically determines who receives the proceeds, regardless of state laws.

For more information on insurance regulations and consumer protections in Rhode Island, you can visit the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation's Insurance Division. Additionally, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) offers nationwide insurance resources.

The Lassen Law Firm is a national practice focused exclusively on life insurance litigation. Founded by Christian Lassen, Esq., the firm has recovered hundreds of millions for clients in all 50 states. All website content is written or reviewed by Mr. Lassen personally to ensure accuracy and authority.