Vermont Life Insurance Lawyer

Life Insurance Lawyers Serving All 14 Vermont Counties

Christian Lassen, Esq. | 25 Years Experience | Hundreds of Millions Recovered

If your life insurance claim was denied in Vermont, you're not alone and you're not without options. At The Lassen Law Firm, we focus exclusively on life insurance litigation and have helped families throughout Vermont 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 Vermont. We handle denied life insurance claims in all 14 counties, and we never charge a fee unless we recover for you.

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

In Vermont, it’s not unusual for life insurance companies to deny claims over minor technicalities or unclear policy language. If you're dealing with a life insurance benefit denial in Vermont, The Lassen Law Firm is ready to advocate for your rights and fight for the payment you deserve.

Life insurance beneficiary disputes in Vermont often stem from family disagreements, unclear documentation, or contested changes to the policy. If you're involved in a life insurance beneficiary dispute in Vermont, The Lassen Law Firm can help ensure your rights are protected and fight for the benefits you’re entitled to.

When there’s uncertainty over who should receive life insurance proceeds in Vermont, insurers often file an interpleader lawsuit in Vermont, placing the matter before the court to avoid choosing sides.

Life insurance claims in Vermont can be daunting, particularly when dealing with denied benefits or bad faith insurance practices. At The Lassen Law Firm, we are committed to helping individuals and families across the Green Mountain State recover the payouts they deserve. We bring trusted legal expertise and personalized support to every case.

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 combine dedication, legal expertise, and compassionate advocacy to ensure justice for every client we serve. 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 Vermont? We’re Here to Protect Your Rights

Life insurance provides a critical promise — financial protection for families after the loss of a loved one. Yet in Vermont, many beneficiaries are confronted with unexpected denials, unexplained delays, or reduced benefit payments. If your life insurance claim has been denied, our Vermont life insurance attorneys are ready to step in and fight for the benefits you were promised. Beneficiaries in Vermont facing a denied AD&D claim can count on us to review the case and take legal steps to challenge the insurer’s decision.

Insurance companies in Vermont must handle claims fairly, promptly, and in good faith. When they fail to meet these obligations, Vermont law provides remedies for wronged beneficiaries, including the right to seek additional damages. We offer free consultations and only charge a fee if we successfully recover benefits for you.

Understanding Contestability Periods and Life Insurance Denials in Vermont

Most life insurance policies issued in Vermont contain a two-year contestability period. During this window, insurers can investigate and potentially deny claims based on material misstatements made in the policy application. After two years, an insurer’s ability to challenge coverage is sharply limited unless they can prove intentional fraud.

Only material misstatements, those that would have influenced the insurer’s decision to issue or price the policy, are grounds for rescission under Vermont law. Minor errors, irrelevant omissions, or innocent mistakes generally do not justify denial once a claim is made.

If your life insurance claim has been denied during or after the contestability period, you should have an experienced Vermont life insurance attorney review the denial.

Common Reasons Life Insurance Claims Are Denied in Vermont

Although every case is unique, insurers often rely on similar reasons when denying claims. In Vermont, some of the most frequent justifications include:

Alleged Misrepresentations on the Application

Claims that the insured failed to disclose medical conditions, tobacco use, or risky lifestyle activities.

Policy Lapses for Nonpayment

In Vermont, insurers may deny claims due to alleged missed payments, but many lapse-based denials involve faulty notice procedures or unclear premium due dates.

Exclusions for Cause of Death

Deaths involving suicide (during exclusion periods), criminal acts, or participation in hazardous hobbies may trigger exclusions based on policy terms.

Life Insurance Beneficiary CHallenges

Challenges from surviving family members or confusion over recent beneficiary changes can delay or derail payouts.

Employer Errors in Group Life Insurance Plans

Mistakes during enrollment or administration can wrongfully deprive beneficiaries of coverage.

Delays Associated with Death Investigations

Insurers may delay claims during ongoing investigations, but unreasonable or excessive delays may violate Vermont insurance laws.

Even when insurers present lengthy denial letters, many claim denials can be successfully contested with the right legal strategy.

Steps You Should Take After a Life Insurance Denial in Vermont

Responding quickly and strategically can make a major difference after a denial. You should:

• Request a complete copy of the life insurance policy, the application, and all related documents.
• Review the denial letter closely and document the insurer’s reasons for denial.
• Save all communication with the insurer, including letters, emails, and summaries of conversations.
• Refrain from providing additional information or statements without consulting an attorney.
• Contact a Vermont life insurance lawyer promptly to assess your claim and begin protecting your rights.

Vermont law allows additional remedies if insurers handle claims unfairly or act in bad faith.

How Our Vermont Life Insurance Attorneys Handle Wrongful Denials

When you work with our firm, you gain a dedicated team focused exclusively on life insurance beneficiary representation. We will:

• Analyze the insurance policy, application documents, and denial rationale.
• Identify misinterpretations, legal violations, and unfair claims practices.
• Challenge improper contestability rescissions, lapse defenses, and exclusions.
• Manage all communication and negotiation with the insurance company on your behalf.
• File administrative appeals where necessary, particularly for group life insurance policies governed by ERISA.
• Litigate denied claims aggressively in Vermont courts when insurers refuse to resolve claims properly.
• Pursue additional damages if bad faith conduct by the insurer can be demonstrated.

Our commitment is to recover the full life insurance benefits your loved one intended for you — and to hold insurers accountable when they fail to act fairly.

Life insurance claims through federal programs like FEGLI and SGLI are sometimes denied due to bureaucratic mistakes or eligibility disputes. We represent Vermont families in appealing denied Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance benefits and denied claims under the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance system.

If your life insurance coverage was part of an employer benefits package, it may fall under ERISA. Our firm assists Vermont clients with ERISA life insurance claim rejections and works to ensure every step of the federal appeals process is properly followed.

Vermont Life Insurance Claim Denials – Local Questions, Real Answers

What can I do if a life insurance claim was denied in Burlington, Vermont?

If you received a denial in Burlington, act fast. We recently helped a woman whose husband’s $200,000 policy was denied due to alleged smoking misrepresentation. He had quit five years prior, and his death was unrelated. We reversed the denial in under two months.

How should I respond to a life insurance interpleader lawsuit in Vermont?

These lawsuits involve multiple claimants. In Barre, two siblings were named in an interpleader action after their father’s sudden death. We represented the son and proved he was the intended beneficiary, securing the full payout in Washington County court.

Can I dispute a life insurance beneficiary change made just before death in Montpelier?

Yes. In Montpelier, a man changed his beneficiary to a new partner while in hospice. We challenged the change based on diminished capacity and undue influence, and a judge restored the original designation to his daughter.

Can a Vermont life insurance policy lapse be overturned?

Yes, especially if notice requirements weren’t followed. In Rutland, a man’s policy was canceled while he was in rehab, but no lapse notice had been sent. We sued the insurer and recovered the full benefit after proving improper cancellation.

How does Vermont law treat ex-spouses listed on life insurance?

Vermont law automatically revokes ex-spouse beneficiary designations unless reaffirmed after divorce. We recently helped a woman in South Burlington recover benefits from her father’s policy after his ex-wife tried to claim the funds.

Can a claim be denied based on alcohol use in Bennington?

It depends. In Bennington, a man died in a snowmobile crash after drinking. The insurer denied his AD&D claim. We proved alcohol wasn’t the main cause of death and recovered the general life policy benefit for his widow.

What if the insured died while overseas and the Vermont insurer denied the claim?

These denials often depend on policy wording. In St. Albans, a teacher died while volunteering in Central America. The insurer claimed the death fell under a foreign travel exclusion, but we proved the clause didn’t apply and recovered the payout.

Can a life insurance company delay payment indefinitely in Vermont?

No. In Middlebury, a claim was delayed for over 90 days without cause. We filed a complaint with the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation and secured not only payment, but interest for bad faith delay.

How are ERISA life insurance denials handled in Vermont?

They follow federal rules. A UVM Medical Center employee’s group policy claim was denied after her death. We filed an ERISA appeal and showed she was actively covered despite her leave status. The insurer reversed its denial.

Can a will override a life insurance policy designation in Vermont?

No.

What qualifies as bad faith in a Vermont life insurance denial?

Unjustified delays, baseless denials, or failure to investigate properly. In Brattleboro, an insurer claimed a man’s fall was “self-inflicted” to deny AD&D coverage. We proved the claim was unfounded and won both benefits and extra damages.

What happens if no beneficiary is listed on the policy?

It goes to the estate. In Newport, a father never updated his beneficiary after his wife’s death. We assisted his son in filing probate in Orleans County and recovering the life insurance through estate distribution.

Can you challenge a fraud accusation made by a Vermont life insurer?

Yes. In Morrisville, a woman’s claim was denied due to alleged non-disclosure of a back injury. The injury had nothing to do with her death from cancer. We proved the insurer lacked proof of fraud and forced payment.

What should I do if the insurer claims the policy was canceled for non-payment?

You should verify the timeline and notice process. In Springfield, the insured missed a payment, but the insurer didn’t send the required grace notice. We had the policy reinstated posthumously and recovered the full benefit.

Can you collect life insurance benefits from a decades-old Vermont policy?

Yes. In Vergennes, a woman discovered a 1980s policy her mother had kept active. We contacted the original insurer now merged into a larger company and helped her receive a $75,000 benefit.

Can a Vermont life insurance claim be denied for a pre-existing condition?

Only during the contestability period. In Essex Junction, a man died of a heart attack 18 months into his policy. The insurer claimed he didn’t disclose high blood pressure. We argued it was not material to the cause of death, and the claim was paid.

What happens if a life insurance form was completed but never submitted?

In Colchester, a man filled out a new beneficiary form but died before mailing it. We introduced email confirmation and a notarized draft to support a court petition. The judge granted the benefit to the intended recipient.

Can a life insurance agent’s mistake cost you a claim?

It shouldn’t. In Windsor, a policyholder’s prescription info was incorrectly entered by an agent. The claim was denied. We proved agent error and recovered the benefit under Vermont’s vicarious liability standards.

Can two people claim the same policy in Vermont?

Yes, and disputes often go to court. In Barre, a woman’s boyfriend and son both claimed the proceeds. We represented the son and introduced a voicemail stating she’d updated her beneficiary. The court ruled in his favor.

Are older Vermont life insurance policies still enforceable?

Yes, if they were kept active. In Milton, a retired teacher had paid into a policy for 30 years. After her death, the insurer initially disputed it, but we used premium receipts and tax records to prove coverage and recover the payout.

Can a life insurance policy be reinstated after lapse in Vermont?

Yes. In Derby, a man submitted a reinstatement application with payment two days before his death. The insurer tried to reject it, but we proved acceptance under Vermont law and enforced the reinstated policy.

What if the insured died under suspicious circumstances?

In Montpelier, a man was found dead after a hunting trip. The insurer delayed the claim, suspecting suicide. We worked with the Vermont State Police and coroner to confirm accidental death and secured payment.

Can a child receive life insurance benefits in Vermont?

Yes, though a legal guardian or trust is required. In White River Junction, a 7-year-old was the sole beneficiary. We helped her grandmother petition for guardianship and establish a Vermont Uniform Transfers to Minors Act account.

Can vague language in the policy be used to deny benefits?

Not legally. In Stowe, the term “hazardous activity” was used to deny a skiing accident death. We argued ambiguity under Vermont law and forced the insurer to honor the claim.

What if someone was wrongly excluded from a Vermont policy?

In Waterbury, a woman was excluded after a late-stage change by her husband under hospice care. We showed the change was coerced and reversed it through Chittenden County Probate Court.

Are life insurance proceeds protected from creditors in Vermont?

Yes if there’s a named beneficiary. In Springfield, a decedent had significant debt, but his daughter was named as beneficiary. We confirmed the proceeds were exempt from creditor claims under Vermont law.

How long does it take to overturn a denied claim in Vermont?

It varies. In Bellows Falls, a woman’s denial was reversed in 42 days after we submitted medical records and contested an alcohol exclusion. Fast resolution depends on swift legal action.

Are group policies through Vermont employers harder to fight?

They can be, especially under ERISA. In a Burlington case involving a state worker, we filed a federal appeal and won benefits after a denial based on eligibility dispute.

What if the policyholder died while engaged in criminal activity?

Insurers can deny claims, but proof is required. In Barre, a man died during a DUI chase. The insurer denied the benefit. We reviewed the case and determined the exclusion applied advising the family to seek recovery from another policy.

Can I recover life insurance denied due to an unsigned application?

Yes, if other documentation supports intent. In Rutland, a man applied for a supplemental policy but died before signing. His payment had been accepted. We argued acceptance by conduct and recovered the benefit.

Can I settle a life insurance dispute without going to court?

Yes. In Middlebury, we resolved a case involving two competing cousins through mediation, avoiding months of litigation and reducing legal costs.

Are AD&D claims commonly denied in Vermont?

Yes especially when insurers label deaths as natural. In Barre, a man fell from a ladder and died. The insurer claimed it was a stroke. We used medical examiner reports to prove trauma caused the death and secured the full AD&D payout.

What if the claim is denied due to a technicality during the contestability period?

In Newport, a young man’s claim was denied for failing to disclose an old asthma diagnosis. We showed the asthma had no connection to his car accident death and forced the insurer to pay.

Can I appeal a denied Vermont life insurance claim after 180 days?

Possibly. For ERISA policies, the 180-day window is strict. But for private policies, longer timelines may apply. We encourage contacting us immediately to evaluate appeal rights.

What if the life insurance company merged or went out of business?

In Morrisville, a family held a policy issued by a company that merged in 2004. We tracked the successor insurer and recovered the benefit by citing policy continuation terms.

Do Vermont insurers have to send written cancellation notices?

Yes. In Brattleboro, a man’s policy was canceled without written notice. We filed a complaint and proved violation of Vermont’s notice requirement, reinstating the policy posthumously.

How do I prove I’m the intended beneficiary if there’s no form?

In Essex, a man verbally told family he changed the beneficiary to his nephew. We found a saved email confirming the change and used it in court to validate the claim.

Can a will include instructions that override a Vermont life insurance policy?

No. In Montpelier, a decedent’s will named her niece, but the policy listed her longtime friend. We defended the friend’s right to the funds, and the court upheld the policy’s designation.

Life Insurance Claim Disputes in Vermont: What Beneficiaries Should Know

In Vermont, denied life insurance claims often stem from issues that require detailed legal analysis, not just a surface-level review of the policy. We’ve worked with families from Burlington to Barre who were shocked to receive a denial letter citing misrepresentation, even though the insured had been truthful on their application. In one case involving a policy out of South Burlington, the insurer claimed the deceased failed to mention a prior hospitalization yet the company never asked about it specifically on the form.

While Vermont is not a community property state, legal disputes over life insurance often involve family conflicts particularly when the beneficiary listed is someone other than a spouse or child. We've handled cases where the named beneficiary was a romantic partner or friend, and the decedent’s relatives challenged the designation in probate court. These disputes can delay payment significantly unless handled by experienced counsel who can enforce the policy terms.

We also represent clients in federal interpleader actions filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont. These cases frequently arise when more than one party claims the benefit, or when the insurer suspects fraud or coercion in the beneficiary change process. In one matter out of Rutland, a handwritten change form became the center of an interpleader dispute, with the insurance company depositing the funds with the court until rightful ownership was determined.

Whether your case involves a lapse dispute, an ERISA-governed group life plan, or a delayed accidental death claim, we focus exclusively on life insurance litigation. From Montpelier to Brattleboro, we stand ready to challenge unfair denials and recover the benefits your family deserves.

Contact us 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