Life Insurance Lawyer Chattanooga TN

"Life Insurance Lawyers for Chattanooga, TN – The Lassen Law Firm" In Chattanooga, the "Scenic City," celebrated for its breathtaking views, rich history, and vibrant cultural scene, navigating life insurance claims can still be a stressful and overwhelming experience—especially when benefits are unfairly delayed or denied. At The Lassen Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping families and individuals in Chattanooga secure the financial protection they deserve. Whether you’re near the lively Riverfront, the iconic Lookout Mountain, or anywhere across Hamilton County, we provide trusted legal expertise and personalized care every step of the way. Our experienced and trusted Tennessee life insurance lawyers are here to help.

With a proven nationwide track record of recovering hundreds of millions in life insurance claims, The Lassen Law Firm delivers compassionate advocacy, relentless representation, and trusted results for Chattanooga residents seeking justice in insurance disputes.

2025 Chattanooga TN Denied Life Insurance Claims

Connecticut Mutual Life $223,000.00
Stonebridge interpleader claim $344,000.00
HSBC misrepresentation claim $159,000.00
Tennessee beneficiary dispute $500,000.00
Pruco Life COVID-19 exclusion $300,000.00
Columbusl Life dispute $102,000.00

Questions about life insurance claims in chattanooga

Q1: Can a Chattanooga life insurance claim be denied if the insured failed to disclose a previous cancer diagnosis?
Yes, if the insurer proves the omission was intentional and material. However, if the diagnosis was irrelevant to the cause of death or the insurer would have issued the policy anyway, the denial may be successfully contested.

Q2: Does a divorce automatically revoke an ex-spouse’s right to life insurance benefits in Chattanooga?
Yes. Tennessee law generally revokes an ex-spouse’s beneficiary designation unless the insured reaffirmed it after the divorce. ERISA-governed employer policies, however, may still honor the original designation if no formal change was made.

Q3: What happens if two people claim the same life insurance policy in Chattanooga?
The insurer may file an interpleader lawsuit in Hamilton County, allowing a judge to determine the rightful beneficiary while protecting the insurer from double liability.

Q4: Can a policy lapse be invalidated in Chattanooga if the insured missed a payment during a hospitalization?
Yes, if the insurer failed to comply with Tennessee’s notice and grace period requirements. A policy may remain in effect if the insurer didn’t properly notify the insured of a pending lapse.

Q5: Can a Chattanooga life insurance claim be denied if the insured died during a criminal act?
Yes, if the death occurred during the commission of a felony and the policy excludes such circumstances. However, the insurer must prove a direct connection between the criminal act and the death.

Q6: What if the insured died overseas and the Chattanooga insurer refuses to process the claim?
You can compel processing by submitting certified foreign death certificates, consular death reports, and certified translations. We help beneficiaries gather the right documentation to move claims forward.

Q7: Can suicide lead to a denied life insurance claim in Chattanooga?
Only if it occurred within the suicide exclusion period—typically the first two years of the policy. After that, suicide is generally covered under Tennessee law unless otherwise stated.

Q8: What if a forged beneficiary form appears during a Chattanooga life insurance claim?
Forgery can invalidate a beneficiary change. With handwriting experts, witness testimony, and evidence of irregularities, the rightful beneficiary may be reinstated by court order.

Q9: Does a will change the life insurance beneficiary in Chattanooga?
No. Life insurance proceeds are distributed according to the beneficiary listed on the policy, not based on the insured’s will, unless the policy names the estate as the beneficiary.

Q10: How does ERISA affect employer-provided life insurance in Chattanooga?
ERISA governs most group life insurance policies, meaning federal law—not Tennessee law—controls beneficiary designations, appeals, and filing deadlines.

Q11: Can death from high-risk activities like mountain climbing cause a denied claim in Chattanooga?
Yes, if the policy clearly excludes dangerous activities and the death resulted from one. However, if the exclusion is vague or not adequately disclosed, the denial may be challenged.

Q12: Can a life insurance claim be denied in Chattanooga for a minor mistake on the application?
Only if the insurer shows the error was material and made intentionally. Innocent mistakes that did not impact the insurer’s decision to offer coverage generally cannot justify denial.

Q13: Can an insurer delay paying a Chattanooga life insurance claim by claiming missing paperwork?
Not indefinitely. If the required documentation has been provided, excessive delay may constitute bad faith, allowing you to sue for not only the benefit but additional damages.

Q14: Can a last-minute change of beneficiary be challenged in Chattanooga?
Yes. If the insured was incapacitated, unduly influenced, or unaware of the change at the time, the prior beneficiary may be reinstated through a legal challenge.

Q15: Can a life insurance policy be canceled for alleged fraud shortly before death in Chattanooga?
The insurer must prove fraud was intentional and material. Tennessee courts often view last-minute policy rescissions skeptically, especially if premiums were accepted for a long time after the alleged misrepresentation.

Q16: Can experimental treatments be a valid reason to deny a Chattanooga life insurance claim?
Possibly, if the policy contains a clear exclusion for experimental treatments. However, many treatments considered experimental by insurers are medically accepted, making such exclusions debatable.

Q17: Can an employer be sued if a Chattanooga life insurance claim is denied?
Yes. If the employer mishandled the paperwork, failed to submit beneficiary forms, or failed to advise about conversion rights after employment ended, they may be liable for the lost benefit.

Q18: Can a claim be denied in Chattanooga if the death certificate says "undetermined"?
Not automatically. A claim may be delayed, but further medical evidence like autopsy reports and hospital records can help establish cause of death and push the claim toward approval.

Q19: Can a life insurance beneficiary be disqualified in Chattanooga under Tennessee’s slayer statute?
Yes. If a beneficiary intentionally and unlawfully caused the insured’s death, Tennessee law bars them from receiving the policy benefit, even without a criminal conviction.

Q20: How long do I have to sue after a denied life insurance claim in Chattanooga?
For standard life insurance contracts, Tennessee law generally allows six years. ERISA plans, however, may require much quicker appeals—sometimes within 180 days—making early legal action vital.

For more information on insurance regulations and consumer protections in Tennessee, you can visit the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. Additionally, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) offers nationwide insurance resources.