Life Insurance Lawyer Houston TX
"Life Insurance Lawyers for Houston, TX – The Lassen Law Firm" In Houston, the bustling "Space City," celebrated for its diverse culture, thriving arts scene, and pioneering innovation, 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 Houston secure the financial protection they deserve. Whether you’re near the lively Downtown district, the serene Hermann Park, or anywhere across Harris County, we provide trusted legal expertise and personalized care every step of the way. Our experienced and trusted Texas 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 Houston residents seeking justice in insurance disputes.
2025 Recent Houston Denied Life Insurance Claims
- SGLI beneficiary dispute wife $400,000.00
- Genworth Financial interpleader claim $194,000.00
- Nationwide felony exclusion $459,000.00
- ING beneficiary dispute $212,000.00
- Veterans denial of life benefits $300,000.00
- Gerber girlfriend beneficiary dispute $309,000.00
Questions About Life Insurance Claims in Houston
Can a Houston life insurance claim be denied if the insured failed to disclose a previous cancer diagnosis?
Yes, especially if the omission is discovered during the contestability period. However, if the cancer was in remission, unrelated to the cause of death, or not material to underwriting, the denial may be successfully contested.
Does divorce automatically revoke an ex-spouse’s right to life insurance benefits in Houston?
Yes. Under Texas law, divorce automatically revokes an ex-spouse’s beneficiary status unless reaffirmed after divorce. However, ERISA-governed employer plans may override this automatic revocation if no formal change was made.
What happens if two people claim the same life insurance payout in Houston?
The insurer may file an interpleader action in Harris County, placing the funds with the court and allowing a judge to determine the rightful beneficiary while protecting the insurer from liability for an incorrect payout.
Can a life insurance policy lapse in Houston if the insured missed a payment during a medical emergency?
Not necessarily. If the insurer failed to properly notify the insured about the missed payment or didn’t comply with Texas’s grace period requirements, the lapse may be invalid and the claim could still be enforced.
Can a Houston life insurance claim be denied if the death occurred during a felony?
Yes, if the policy contains a felony exclusion clause and the death occurred during the commission of a felony. However, the insurer must prove that the criminal act directly caused the death to invoke the exclusion.
How are foreign deaths handled by Houston life insurance companies?
Foreign death claims often involve delays, but certified foreign death certificates, consular reports, and translated documents can meet insurer requirements. Legal intervention may be needed to push the claim forward.
Can suicide lead to a denied life insurance claim in Houston?
Yes, but only if it occurred within the suicide exclusion period—typically the first two years after the policy starts. After that period, suicide is generally covered unless stated otherwise in the policy.
What if a forged beneficiary form is discovered in a Houston life insurance case?
Forgery can invalidate the new beneficiary designation. Courts often rely on handwriting experts, witness testimony, and circumstantial evidence to restore the rightful beneficiary if fraud is proven.
Does a will override a life insurance beneficiary designation in Houston?
No. Life insurance proceeds are paid to the beneficiary named in the policy, not based on the will, unless the estate is specifically named as the beneficiary.
How does ERISA impact life insurance disputes in Houston?
ERISA governs most employer-provided life insurance policies, preempting state law. This means federal rules control beneficiary designations, appeals, and deadlines, regardless of Texas state law.
Can high-risk activities like motocross or skydiving cause life insurance denials in Houston?
Yes, if the policy explicitly excludes high-risk activities and the death was caused by one. However, poorly worded exclusions or those that were not clearly disclosed to the insured may be challenged successfully.
Can a minor application error cause a Houston life insurance denial?
Only if the error is material and intentional. Minor or innocent errors that did not affect the underwriting decision typically cannot justify a denial.
What if the Houston insurer delays the claim by citing "missing paperwork"?
If all necessary documents have been provided and the insurer continues to delay without valid reason, this may constitute bad faith. Legal action can be taken to force the insurer to process the claim and recover additional damages.
Can a last-minute beneficiary change be contested in Houston?
Yes, if the insured was mentally impaired, under duress, or lacked capacity when the change occurred, a Texas court can reverse the change and reinstate the prior beneficiary.
Can a Houston life insurance policy be canceled shortly before death for alleged fraud?
It can be attempted, but insurers must prove intentional fraud that was material to the underwriting decision. Texas courts scrutinize last-minute policy rescissions closely, and many are overturned if mishandled.
Can experimental treatments be a valid reason to deny a Houston life insurance claim?
Possibly, if the policy specifically excludes deaths resulting from experimental treatments. However, many treatments deemed experimental by insurers are standard practice in the medical field, allowing for legal challenges.
Can an employer in Houston be responsible if a group life insurance claim is denied?
Yes, if the employer mishandled the enrollment, failed to submit necessary forms, or didn’t inform the employee about conversion rights, the employer could be held legally responsible for the denied claim.
Can an “undetermined cause of death” prevent a life insurance payout in Houston?
No, while it may delay the claim, it doesn’t justify automatic denial. With sufficient medical records, autopsy reports, and expert testimony, a valid cause of death can be established, pushing the claim toward approval.
Can a life insurance beneficiary be disqualified in Houston under Texas’s slayer statute?
Yes. If a beneficiary is found to have intentionally and unlawfully caused the insured’s death, they are barred from receiving the life insurance proceeds, even if there is no criminal conviction.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a denied life insurance claim in Houston?
Texas law generally allows four years for breach of contract suits. However, ERISA policies may impose much shorter internal deadlines, sometimes as little as 180 days for appeals, making early legal consultation critical.