Life Insurance Lawyer Washington

life insurance lawyers serving all of washington

At The Lassen Law Firm, we help beneficiaries across Washington recover denied life insurance claims—from Seattle and Spokane to Tacoma, Vancouver, and Bellevue. Our attorneys handle every kind of dispute, including cases involving exclusions, misrepresentation allegations, policy lapses, and ERISA group plans. We’re deeply familiar with Washington's insurance laws, including the automatic revocation of ex-spouse beneficiaries and rules governing the contestability period. Every case is handled on contingency—no recovery, no fee.

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


In Washington, it’s all too common for life insurance companies to delay or deny claims during a time when families need support most. If you’re dealing with a life insurance claim denial in Washington, The Lassen Law Firm is here to help you take legal action and pursue the full benefits you’re entitled to.

Life insurance beneficiary disputes in Washington frequently involve questions about a policyholder’s intent, last-minute changes, or competing claims from relatives. If you're involved in a life insurance beneficiary dispute in Washington, The Lassen Law Firm is prepared to protect your interests and help you secure the benefits you're owed.

When there’s a dispute over life insurance benefits in Washington, insurers often file an interpleader lawsuit in Washington to avoid liability and let the court decide who should receive the payout.

Experienced Life Insurance Lawyers Washington State: The Lassen Law Firm

Life insurance claims in Washington State can be difficult to manage, especially when dealing with denied benefits or bad faith insurance practices. At The Lassen Law Firm, we are dedicated to assisting individuals and families across the Evergreen State recover the payouts they deserve. Whether you’re in Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Bellevue, or any other part of Washington, we provide expert legal guidance and personalized support every step of the way.

As nationally recognized life insurance attorneys, we’ve successfully handled cases across all 50 states, with hundreds of millions in policies recovered for our clients. At The Lassen Law Firm, we combine legal expertise, commitment, and compassionate 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 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 Washington? We’re Ready to Fight for Your Benefits

Life insurance is meant to provide financial security when families need it most. Yet in Washington, many beneficiaries face unexpected denials, lengthy delays, or underpaid claims. If your life insurance claim has been denied, our Washington life insurance attorneys are ready to take action, protect your rights, and pursue the full benefits you are entitled to receive. Denied accidental death insurance claims in Washington often require legal intervention to overcome insurer pushback and secure rightful benefits.

Insurance companies in Washington are required by law to handle claims fairly, promptly, and in good faith. When they wrongfully deny valid claims or delay payment without cause, they can be held legally responsible — and beneficiaries may be entitled to additional damages. We offer free consultations and do not collect fees unless we successfully recover benefits for you.

Understanding Contestability Periods and Life Insurance Denials in Washington

Most life insurance policies issued in Washington include a two-year contestability period. During this time, insurers can review claims closely and deny payment if they discover material misstatements made in the application process. After the contestability period expires, their ability to deny based on application errors is extremely limited unless they can prove intentional fraud.

Washington law makes it clear: only material misstatements — inaccuracies that would have affected the insurer’s decision to issue or price the policy — are grounds for rescinding coverage. Minor mistakes, honest errors, or irrelevant omissions generally do not justify denial once a valid claim is submitted.

If your claim was denied based on contestability arguments, it’s important to have an experienced Washington life insurance lawyer review the denial immediately.

Common Reasons Life Insurance Claims Are Denied in Washington

Insurance companies often rely on similar reasons when denying life insurance claims. In Washington, common justifications for denial include:

Accusations of Misrepresentation

Claims that the insured failed to disclose important health conditions, tobacco use, or participation in risky activities.

Policy Lapses Due to Nonpayment

In Washington, insurers often deny life insurance claims over missed payments, but the policy lapse explanation doesn’t always hold up when grace periods or notice obligations were ignored.

Policy Exclusions for Specific Causes of Death

Deaths related to suicide (within exclusion periods), criminal behavior, or hazardous activities may trigger policy exclusions.

Life Insurance Policy Beneficiary Disputes

Disputes over who is entitled to the proceeds, allegations of improper beneficiary changes, or competing claims can delay payment.

Employer Errors in Group Life Insurance Plans

Mistakes made during group enrollment or plan administration can wrongfully deprive families of benefits.

Delays Linked to Death Investigations

While some investigation delay may be justified, excessive delays without action can violate Washington's insurance regulations.

Even when insurers provide detailed denial explanations, many life insurance denials are legally weak and can be successfully contested.

Key Steps to Take After a Life Insurance Denial in Washington

Taking swift, organized action after a denial protects your rights. You should:

  • Request and save a full copy of the insurance policy, including the application and any amendments or riders.

  • Review the denial letter carefully and document the insurer’s reasons for denying the claim.

  • Preserve all communications with the insurer — including emails, letters, and call summaries.

  • Avoid submitting any new documents or statements without legal advice.

  • Contact a Washington life insurance lawyer immediately to evaluate your case and begin preparing a legal strategy.

Washington law provides powerful remedies, including the potential for treble damages when insurers engage in bad faith or unfair claims practices.

How Our Washington Life Insurance Attorneys Challenge Denied Claims

When you work with our firm, you gain advocates focused solely on helping life insurance beneficiaries recover what they are owed. We will:

  • Analyze your insurance policy, the application, and the insurer’s denial justification in full.

  • Identify violations of Washington insurance law, bad faith tactics, and legal weaknesses in the denial.

  • Challenge improper contestability rescissions, lapse defenses, and exclusion-based denials.

  • Handle all communications and negotiations with the insurance company so you can focus on your family.

  • Prepare administrative appeals when necessary for group life insurance policies governed by ERISA.

  • Litigate wrongful denials aggressively in Washington courts when insurers refuse to pay valid claims.

  • Pursue treble damages and attorney’s fees if bad faith insurance practices are proven under Washington law.

Our mission is to secure the full life insurance benefits your family is owed — and to hold insurers accountable when they act unfairly or unlawfully.

Federal life insurance policies like SGLI for service members and FEGLI for government workers can be wrongfully denied due to administrative mistakes or unclear eligibility records. We assist Washington families in pursuing rejected military SGLI insurance benefits and correcting unfair denials under the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance program.

If your coverage came through your job, it may fall under federal ERISA law. Our firm helps Washington clients challenge denied employer-sponsored life insurance claims and navigate the complex ERISA appeals process from start to finish.

Washington Life Insurance Denials – Real Answers Backed by Local Experience

What should I do if my life insurance claim was denied in Seattle?

Start by requesting the denial letter and reviewing the stated reason. In one Seattle case, a widow was denied benefits because her husband allegedly misstated his weight. We demonstrated that the discrepancy was minor and had no bearing on his cause of death—a stroke. The claim was paid after appeal.

Can I still win a claim that was denied for alleged policy lapse in Spokane?

Yes, especially if proper notice wasn’t sent. We represented a family in Spokane whose father missed a premium while hospitalized. The insurer failed to send a grace period warning. Under Washington law, that invalidated the lapse, and we recovered the $150,000 benefit.

What if an ex-spouse is still listed as beneficiary in a Tacoma policy?

Washington law generally revokes ex-spouses as beneficiaries after divorce unless reaffirmed in writing. In Tacoma, a divorced woman collected benefits until the decedent’s children contested it. We proved no reaffirmation occurred, and the payout was redirected to the rightful heirs.

Can I contest a suspicious beneficiary change made in Bellevue?

Absolutely. A Bellevue man changed beneficiaries to a caregiver weeks before death. The adult children suspected undue influence. We obtained medical records and witness affidavits showing impaired capacity, and a King County judge invalidated the change.

Is Washington a community property state for life insurance claims?

Yes. For example, in a Vancouver case, a husband named his brother as beneficiary, but used joint marital funds to pay premiums. His wife received half the proceeds under Washington’s community property rules.

Can I still claim life insurance benefits after the policyholder died overseas?

Yes, but insurers often delay or deny these claims. We handled a case where a man from Redmond died while hiking in Nepal. The insurer denied the claim under a “foreign death” exclusion. We proved the clause was ambiguous, and the full benefit was paid after litigation.

What if the policy was denied due to a minor health disclosure error?

Only material misrepresentations justify denial. In Everett, an insured failed to report mild anxiety treatment from 10 years earlier. The death was unrelated, and the denial was overturned after we argued the omission was irrelevant and unintentional.

Can a Tacoma resident sue for bad faith in a life insurance denial?

Yes. In one case, a Tacoma mother was denied benefits after her son's death because the insurer claimed a lapse, even though premiums were paid via autopay. We sued for bad faith in Pierce County Superior Court and won damages beyond the policy value.

What happens if a Washington ERISA life insurance claim is denied?

You must exhaust administrative appeals before suing. A Boeing employee’s widow in Renton faced a denial for “ineligible enrollment.” We prepared a detailed ERISA appeal showing documentation of coverage selection, and the insurer reversed its decision.

Can an accidental death claim be denied due to “natural causes” in Bellingham?

Yes—but not always correctly. In Bellingham, a man fell from a ladder and died. The insurer claimed it was due to a heart attack. We commissioned an independent pathologist who found no evidence of heart disease. The death was ruled accidental, and the claim paid.

Can a will override a life insurance policy in Washington?

No. The named beneficiary on the policy controls. In a Kirkland case, a man left his life insurance to his children in a will but had not changed the policy from his ex-girlfriend. The girlfriend received the payout, and the children’s challenge was denied.

What if my life insurance denial cites Washington state law?

That doesn’t mean the denial is correct. In Federal Way, an insurer cited a state statute about contestability, but misapplied it. We demonstrated the two-year window had closed, and the denial was reversed.

Can I still collect on a policy from the 1990s?

Yes, if it remained in force or was a paid-up policy. In Yakima, a family discovered a MetLife policy from 1992. The insured had kept it paid through automatic deductions. We recovered the benefit after confirming status through archived records.

Can a minor in Washington receive life insurance proceeds?

Yes, but a guardian must manage the funds. In Kennewick, a 9-year-old was the named beneficiary. We helped the grandparents petition for guardianship in Benton County and created a trust to protect the payout.

Can I challenge a fraud accusation that led to a denial in Olympia?

Yes. In Olympia, a widower was accused of submitting false information about his wife’s cancer history. We provided records showing the insurer had access to her full medical file at underwriting. The fraud claim was dropped, and payment was issued.

What happens if two people claim the same life insurance in King County?

That’s an interpleader situation. We handled one where both a current wife and a former girlfriend claimed the same benefit. The insurer filed an interpleader in King County Superior Court, and we represented the wife, securing her rightful share.

Can life insurance be denied if the death involved alcohol in Spokane Valley?

It depends. In one case, a man crashed his ATV after drinking. The insurer denied the AD&D claim citing intoxication. However, the general policy had no such exclusion. We recovered the base life benefit.

Can a life insurance company cancel a policy without notice?

No. In a Lynnwood case, a man missed a single premium. The insurer canceled coverage without notice. We cited RCW 48.18.290 requiring written notification and reinstated the coverage posthumously.

Can I still recover benefits if the policy lapsed a week before death?

Possibly. In Richland, a woman died eight days after her policy lapsed. Her daughter had mailed a payment, but it was delayed. We argued equitable reinstatement, and the insurer honored the policy.

What if the beneficiary form was never submitted in Bremerton?

The policyholder’s intent may still be enforceable. In Bremerton, a man filled out a change-of-beneficiary form but died before mailing it. We used witness testimony and a scanned copy to support a successful equitable claim.

Do insurers deny claims because of mental health history?

Sometimes, but not always lawfully. A Vancouver woman’s death was ruled accidental, but the insurer denied her claim due to a prior bipolar diagnosis. We showed no connection between the diagnosis and the death, forcing payment.

Can an agent’s mistake on the application be used to deny my claim?

No. In Lakewood, an insurance agent entered the wrong medication in a client’s application. When the client died, the claim was denied for misrepresentation. We proved the error was the agent’s fault, and the payout was reinstated.

What are typical life insurance delays in Washington?

Delays often involve “pending investigation” or “missing documents.” In Spokane, a claim dragged for 90 days due to “incomplete cause of death.” We escalated the issue with the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner and got results within two weeks.

Are group life insurance policies harder to collect?

They can be. ERISA rules apply, limiting your options. In Auburn, a UPS employee’s claim was denied under a group policy. We followed all ERISA procedures and filed in federal court after appeal, ultimately recovering the full amount.

What if no beneficiary is listed on the policy?

Then the benefit usually goes to the estate. In Shoreline, a man failed to name a beneficiary. We assisted his sister with probate in King County and distributed the funds according to Washington intestacy law.

Can vague policy language be used to deny a claim?

Insurers try, but Washington courts favor the policyholder. In Edmonds, the term “hazardous activity” was used to deny a skydiving death. The court ruled the exclusion was too vague, and the claim was paid.

Is there a deadline to file an appeal in Washington?

Yes. ERISA appeals must be filed within 180 days. Private policies vary, but the sooner, the better. In Puyallup, a woman missed her ERISA deadline by a week and lost her claim. Don’t delay after a denial.

What happens if a union life insurance policy is denied?

Union policies can be complex. In Bellevue, a carpenter’s union member died and the family was told no coverage was active. We obtained contribution records and proved he was fully insured at the time of death.

Can creditors take life insurance proceeds in Washington?

Not if there’s a named beneficiary. In Mount Vernon, a widow was worried about her late husband’s debts. We confirmed that the $200,000 policy was protected and not subject to creditor claims.

What if my spouse changed the beneficiary just before dying?

That’s often challengeable. In Pasco, a man changed his beneficiary from his wife to a friend shortly before death. We proved he was on strong medications affecting cognition, and the change was reversed.

Can an old life insurance policy from a defunct insurer still be valid?

Yes. In Renton, a man had a policy from a now-merged company. We tracked it to the successor insurer and helped the family recover the benefit 20 years later.

Can I recover benefits if I was left off the policy by mistake?

Possibly. In Walla Walla, a man intended to add his daughter after a divorce but never submitted the form. We sued on equitable grounds and reached a confidential settlement with the insurer.

Are there Washington laws that help beneficiaries recover?

Yes. RCW 48.18 and Washington common law offer strong protections. We’ve used these laws to challenge exclusions, policy lapses, and bad faith in counties statewide.

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

Yes. In many cases—like a Tacoma sibling dispute—we negotiated a settlement through mediation, avoiding litigation and preserving family relationships.

What if my loved one was missing before being declared dead?

Once a court declares them deceased, the policy becomes payable. In Spokane County, we helped a family get a legal presumption of death after two years and secured the benefit.

Can I fight back against vague fraud accusations?

Yes, but insurers often use this tactic. In Kent, a claim was denied due to alleged fraud for omitting a dental procedure. We showed the omission was immaterial and won a reversal.

How do I prove I’m the rightful beneficiary?

Documentation is key. In Olympia, a man named his niece as beneficiary but a handwritten change attempted to replace her. We used original policy records and notarized witness statements to validate her claim.

Can a life insurance payout be split between claimants?

Yes. In Tumwater, both a daughter and a girlfriend claimed the benefit. We reached a 70/30 settlement through negotiation with the insurer and avoided litigation.

2025 Washington Denied Life Insurance Claims: settlements & verdicts

IBelow are examples of Washington life insurance claims successfully resolved.

  • Genworth's denial related to COVID-19 was successfully challenged, securing a favorable settlement of $138,000 by clarifying policy terms regarding pandemic coverage.
  • Athene Life faced scrutiny after improperly lapsing a client's policy, resulting in a beneficial settlement of $52,000 upon proving insufficient lapse notification.
  • Principal Life’s coronavirus-related claim denial was contested and reversed, awarding beneficiaries $105,000 by demonstrating ambiguous pandemic exclusion language.
  • American United’s sickness exclusion denial was successfully appealed, securing $61,000 through clarification of ambiguous terms in the policy.
  • Great West’s denial based on a lapsed policy was resolved favorably, recovering $109,000 after demonstrating administrative errors.
  • A significant Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) claim denial was successfully contested, resulting in an $839,000 recovery by proving unclear accidental death terms.
  • TIAA’s felony exclusion denial was successfully resolved, securing $303,000 after demonstrating misapplication of criminal exclusions.
  • An AD&D claim involving high blood alcohol content (BAC) denial was successfully contested, resulting in a substantial $910,000 recovery after establishing alcohol did not cause death directly.
  • A denial of an SGLI claim involving disputed beneficiaries was resolved favorably, awarding $407,540 by clarifying rightful entitlement.
  • Ethos Life’s suicide/self-inflicted injury denial was successfully overturned, securing $11,000 by highlighting policy language ambiguities.
  • Wilton Life’s denial due to smoking listed in medical records was contested successfully, securing $85,000 by challenging underwriting procedures.
  • Country Financial’s material misrepresentation denial was overturned, securing $10,000 by proving lack of intentional deception.
  • A successful challenge against iA Financial’s denial for incorrect age listed on an application resulted in a $35,000 settlement after establishing clerical errors.
  • Chubb Life’s interpleader lawsuit involving beneficiary disputes was successfully resolved, awarding $94,000 clearly establishing rightful beneficiaries.
  • Kemper Life’s denial due to three missed payments was overturned, resulting in a $73,000 recovery after highlighting insurer procedural errors.
  • Columbian Mutual’s self-inflicted injury denial was successfully appealed, securing $80,000 by clarifying policy terms around accidental death.
  • OneAmerica’s denial due to a lapse from automatic bank deduction failures was successfully contested, recovering $12,000 by proving administrative mistakes.
  • AARP’s attempted post-death policy termination was successfully challenged, securing a favorable $101,300 settlement by demonstrating improper insurer actions.
  • A mass shooting-related claim denial in Washington was overturned, awarding beneficiaries $142,000 through clarification of policy exclusions around violent crimes.
  • Liberty Mutual’s interpleader case was resolved favorably, awarding $513,000 after clearly identifying rightful beneficiaries.
  • West Coast Life’s denial under alcohol exclusion clauses was successfully contested, recovering $227,000 after demonstrating alcohol was not the primary cause of death.
  • Prudential's denial involving accidental death under an AD&D policy was overturned, securing a favorable settlement of $348,000 by addressing ambiguities in policy language.
  • An ERISA-governed life insurance claim denial was successfully appealed through a compelling legal brief, recovering $190,000 by highlighting federal guideline violations.
  • A substantial Washington denied life insurance claim totaling $3,067,750 was successfully litigated, emphasizing insurer administrative and procedural oversights.
  • An SGLI dispute between a wife and ex-wife beneficiary was resolved favorably, securing $400,000 by clearly delineating beneficiary rights post-divorce.
  • Security Mutual’s beneficiary dispute was successfully resolved, recovering $305,000 by confirming clear beneficiary intentions.
  • Gerber Life’s denial for failing to accept policy premiums was successfully contested, resulting in a favorable $170,000 recovery by demonstrating administrative errors.
  • A significant Washington denied life insurance claim amounting to $1,240,000 was successfully litigated, revealing insurer missteps and procedural mistakes.
  • Prudential’s denial due to alleged material misrepresentation was overturned, securing a substantial $330,000 payout by clarifying inaccuracies as non-intentional.
  • A FEGLI policy denial appeal was successfully resolved, recovering $149,000 by establishing procedural oversights by the insurer.
  • A Washington bad faith life insurance denial case was favorably resolved with a substantial settlement of $821,000, emphasizing insurer wrongful conduct and negligence.
  • An AIG accidental death claim denial was successfully contested, resulting in a favorable recovery of $514,000 through litigation highlighting ambiguous accidental death clauses.
  • Stonebridge Life’s denial involving the contestability period and medical records was successfully contested, recovering $130,000 by addressing insurer errors.
  • A complex Washington divorce-related life insurance denial of $757,000 was successfully litigated, clarifying post-divorce beneficiary rights.
  • Transamerica’s denial involving autoerotic asphyxiation death was successfully challenged, securing $426,000 by clarifying policy ambiguities regarding accidental death coverage.

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

Life Insurance Disputes in Washington State: Local Factors That Matter

Denied life insurance claims in Washington often involve more than just a paperwork issue—they frequently hinge on complex legal grounds such as misrepresentation, exclusion clauses, or questionable beneficiary changes. We’ve represented clients in Seattle, Spokane, and Tacoma who were initially told their claim was denied due to something minor, like an undisclosed prescription, only to discover that the insurer had overlooked key facts or waived their right to contest the policy.

Washington is a community property state, which means that surviving spouses may have a partial claim to life insurance proceeds—even if someone else is listed as the beneficiary. In cities like Bellevue and Everett, we've handled disputes where adult children or ex-partners were named beneficiaries, leading to legal conflicts with the surviving spouse. These situations often require navigating both community property rules and federal preemption laws, especially with employer-sponsored group life insurance governed by ERISA.

Interpleader lawsuits are another frequent issue in Washington. These cases are usually filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western or Eastern District of Washington when two or more parties claim the same benefit. We’ve handled interpleader actions out of Vancouver and Yakima involving allegations of fraud, forged signatures on beneficiary change forms, and competing claims from multiple family members.

Whether your case involves a denied accidental death policy, a lapsed premium dispute, or a delay tactic from the insurer, we have the experience to act quickly. Our firm focuses exclusively on life insurance litigation across Washington, and we’re ready to help you resolve your claim and secure the payout your family deserves.

Denied Life Insurance Claim in Washington? We Represent Clients Statewide

The Lassen Law Firm handles life insurance disputes throughout Washington, including in Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue, Kent, Everett, Renton, Spokane Valley, and Federal Way. No matter where you are in Washington, we’re prepared to fight for your rights and help you recover the full policy payout.