Life Insurance Lawyer Salt Lake City
"Life Insurance Lawyers for Salt Lake City, UT – The Lassen Law Firm" In Salt Lake City, a stunning city nestled between the Great Salt Lake and the Wasatch Mountains, renowned for its rich history, thriving arts scene, and breathtaking landscapes, navigating life insurance claims can still be a frustrating and overwhelming process—especially when benefits are unfairly delayed or denied. At The Lassen Law Firm, we are committed to helping families and individuals in Salt Lake City secure the financial protection they deserve. Whether you’re near the vibrant Downtown area, the serene Liberty Park, or anywhere across Salt Lake County, we provide trusted legal expertise and personalized care every step of the way. Our experienced and trusted Utah life insurance lawyers are here to help.
With a nationwide record of recovering hundreds of millions in life insurance claims, The Lassen Law Firm delivers compassionate advocacy, relentless representation, and trusted results for Salt Lake City residents seeking justice in insurance disputes.
2025 Salt Lake City Denied Life Insurance Claims
- Geico suffocation death denial $143,000.00
- SBGL ex-wife interpleader claim $400,000.00
- Ohio National sickness exclusion $128,000.00
- Farmers Life beneficiary dispute $303,000.00
- Genworth prescription drug exclusion $90,000.00
- Unum girlfriend beneficiary dispute $112,000.00
Questions About Life Insurance Claims in Salt Lake City, UT
If the insured in Salt Lake City failed to disclose a history of asthma, can the life insurance claim be denied?
Possibly, but only if the omission was material to the risk and within the contestability period. Minor conditions like well-controlled asthma rarely justify denial unless they contributed directly to the cause of death.
After a divorce in Salt Lake City, can an ex-spouse still collect life insurance benefits?
In Utah, divorce automatically revokes an ex-spouse’s beneficiary rights unless the insured reaffirmed the designation afterward. But ERISA-governed employer policies may still pay the ex-spouse if changes weren’t made.
What happens if a Salt Lake City resident dies and no beneficiary is listed on their life insurance policy?
If there’s no beneficiary or all named beneficiaries are deceased, the policy proceeds typically go to the insured’s estate and are distributed through probate.
Can death during mountain climbing or backcountry skiing in Utah void a life insurance policy?
It depends. If the policy excludes deaths from high-risk activities and the exclusion is clearly written, the insurer may deny. But vague exclusions are often interpreted against the insurer.
How do insurers in Salt Lake City handle death claims when the body isn’t recovered, such as after a hiking accident?
Claims without a body can still succeed if there’s strong circumstantial evidence of death—like witness statements, search and rescue reports, and timelines supporting presumed death.
What if a Salt Lake City employer promised life insurance but the employee’s paperwork was never processed?
The employer may be held responsible under breach of contract or negligence theories. Courts often force employers to pay when their administrative errors cost employees their expected benefits.
Can a claim be denied in Salt Lake City if the death certificate says “pending investigation”?
Temporarily, yes. But once cause of death is established, insurers must act. Delays beyond reasonable timeframes after clarification could lead to bad faith lawsuits.
How can a suspicious last-minute beneficiary change be challenged in Salt Lake City?
If there’s evidence of forgery, lack of capacity, or undue influence, a Utah court can invalidate the change and restore a previous legitimate beneficiary.
Can minor errors like typos or wrong doctor names void a Salt Lake City life insurance policy?
No. Minor inaccuracies that aren’t material to the risk assessment don’t justify rescission or claim denial under Utah law.
What happens if death occurred during illegal activity in Salt Lake City, such as off-trail snowmobiling?
Unless the policy specifically excludes death from illegal activities, insurers must pay. General “illegal acts” exclusions without direct connection to the death often don't apply.
How does ERISA impact employer-provided life insurance claims in Salt Lake City?
ERISA controls group plans, setting strict administrative appeal deadlines (often 60–180 days) and limiting lawsuits to federal court based on the administrative record.
Example Case: Life insurance denial reversed after hiking accident near Salt Lake City
An insured was presumed dead after a hiking fall, though no body was recovered. After presenting GPS data, witness statements, and search records, we forced the insurer to pay full benefits to the family.
Can a Salt Lake City insurer deny a claim because of experimental treatment used before death?
Only if the policy clearly excludes deaths resulting from experimental procedures. Courts often side with beneficiaries if the treatment was part of recognized or necessary medical care.
Can an auto-draft failure lead to wrongful policy lapse in Salt Lake City?
Yes. If the insured set up automatic premium payments and they failed due to bank errors or system glitches, insurers often must honor the coverage unless clear cancellation proof exists.
How long do life insurance companies have to pay after receiving a claim in Salt Lake City?
Under Utah law, insurers are expected to pay life insurance claims within 60 days after receiving satisfactory proof of loss.
Can beneficiaries in Salt Lake City recover additional damages for bad faith if the insurer wrongly denies a claim?
Yes. Utah law allows for breach of contract damages and, in cases of bad faith conduct, punitive damages against the insurer.
What if a Salt Lake City life insurance company claims fraud years after the policy was issued?
After the two-year contestability period, insurers generally can’t rescind a policy for fraud unless they can prove extreme and deliberate deception related to the cause of death.
Can an intoxication clause affect a life insurance payout in Salt Lake City?
Possibly. If intoxication caused the death and the policy specifically excludes such deaths, the insurer may deny. Otherwise, insurers often have to prove a direct link between intoxication and death.
How do slayer statutes affect life insurance claims in Salt Lake City?
Utah’s slayer statute prevents a beneficiary who unlawfully and intentionally caused the insured’s death from collecting benefits—even without a criminal conviction.
How long does a Salt Lake City beneficiary have to sue after life insurance denial?
Under Utah law, the general breach of contract statute of limitations is six years. However, for ERISA policies, internal deadlines may shorten the window dramatically, requiring appeals within 180 days and lawsuits soon after.
For more information on insurance regulations and consumer protections in Utah, you can visit the Utah Insurance Department. Additionally, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) offers nationwide insurance resources.