Insurance companies use many excuses as reasons for life insurance denial. Although some claims are legitimate, insurers often convince beneficiaries that a valid claim is denied for valid reasons. If you were a victim of a denied life insurance claim, it’s important to contact an attorney specialized in life insurance claims to help you with your case.
What are the Reasons for Life Insurance Denial?
After a person dies and a beneficiary files a life insurance claim, the claim can be paid, delayed, or denied. If the claim is paid, the beneficiary will usually have the option of receiving a lump sum payout or depositing the funds into a special account set up by the insurer. Many insurers either delay or deny claims, even after all necessary documents have been submitted by the beneficiary. Common life insurance claims denial reasons include:
Non-Payment of Premiums
Life insurance policies are only active as long as premiums are paid. If a payment is missed, the policy may lapse or terminate. Insurance companies often deny claims for non-payment of premiums and a lapse in the policy. A beneficiary should be aware of required 30-day premium-due notices that must be sent to the correct address, warning an insured of an impending lapse.
No Beneficiary on File
A life insurance claim may be denied if the policyholder failed to designate a beneficiary on the policy. State laws where the insured policyholder lives may influence how benefits are paid. When no beneficiary is named, insurance companies may delay or deny the claim, or pay benefits to the wrong person in some cases.
The Type of Death is not Covered
Life insurance companies use a variety of exclusions that focus on the type of death. Many exclusions include dangerous conditions or activities like skydiving, rock climbing, scuba diving, extreme sports, and notably suicide. If a person dies under these conditions, the claim will likely be denied.
Misrepresentations on the Policy
When a person applies for life insurance, he or she is asked to provide various personal information regarding age, income, health, weight, hobbies, criminal history, etc. If a person fails to answer questions honestly or omits required information, the insurance company may deny the claim.
The Death Happened During the Contestability Period
All life insurance policies have contestability periods. Typically, the period remains in effect for two years after the date the policy takes effect. If the policyholder dies within the contestability period, the insurer has the right to contest the claim during further investigation. Many insurance companies use contestability as an opportunity to deny a valid claim. Hiring an experienced life insurance attorney can help you get the money you need.
