Orlando Life Insurance Attorneys
Board Certified Attorney Helps Clients in Central Florida with Life Insurance Claim Denials
When a family member or loved one dies, there is often financial uncertainty to go along with the grief of loss. What can be emotionally difficult is filing a claim for Life Insurance Benefits, that were purchased by the deceased for the benefit of his or her loved ones. Sometimes, life insurance companies deny these claims based upon reasons or “exclusions” to the policy. Many times, we at First Choice Law have been called upon to review these life insurance policy denials. Jason Recksiedler and First Choice Law have successfully recovered life insurance policy proceeds for the survivors, by challenging these denials. Don’t take no for an answer. Make the right choice and call First Choice Law for a free evaluation and review of the life insurance policy and review the facts and circumstances for the denial; and if appropriate, challenge the life insurance company’s reason for not paying what should be paid!
Recovering Life Insurance Proceeds
Generally, the first step in recovering life insurance proceeds, requires that the beneficiary file a claim with the company who wrote the insurance. This will require a death certificate to be submitted to the insurance company at the address designated in the policy. There should also be enclosed a statement of claim or what is also known as a “request for benefits”. This statement of life insurance claim or request for benefits will need to be signed by the beneficiary. These documents should be submitted by certified mail with returned receipt. These claims should be paid within 60 days of receipt by the life insurance company. If they are not paid within that time-frame, or if the life insurance company denies payment for any reason, you should call First Choice Law for a free consultation and review.
Common Reasons For Life Insurance Claim Denial in Florida
Life insurance companies may deny a claim based upon reasons and “exclusions” provided in their policy. The most common reasons and “exclusions” for a life insurance denial are as follows:
- Lack of Payment
- Providing false or incomplete health information in the application
- Death caused while intoxicated or drugs and/or alcohol
- Suicide
- Homicide caused by beneficiary
Life Insurance Claim Denials and Delays
We at First Choice Law have experienced situations where life insurance companies delay payment under the guise that the company is “investigating” the original application to ensure fraud was not committed at the policy’s inception. Most times we have found this tactic to be disingenuous because the life insurance company has no proof that the insured lied on the application. We have also experienced a clause, known as a “suicide exemption”, where the life insurance company denies benefits. Generally, any such exemption is limited to the first two years of the policy. This is why it is important to have First Choice Law review any policy in question, when there is a denial of owed benefits.
Further delay in paying life insurance benefits occur where there is a homicide of the insured listed on the death certificate. In this event, it is critically important that you retain legal counsel, such as First Choice Law, so that we can cooperate with a claims representative in communicating with a law enforcement agency to rule out the beneficiary as a suspect. If there are charges, the insurance company may have the right to withhold the payout until charges are dropped or the beneficiary is acquitted of the crime. Other reasons for delay or denial in paying life insurance benefits can be if the insured party died during the course of illegal activity, such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol or the insured dies during an excluded risky activity such as skydiving.
Life Insurance Disputes in Orlando and Across Central Florida
The personal injury lawyers at First Choice Law in Orlando are prepared with the knowledge, skills, and experience to challenge any and all denials of life insurance claims. In doubt about a life insurance policy? Make the Right Choice call First Choice Law for a free consultation. Do not delay, as certain time limitations of making a claim are involved. Call us today at 321-999-1111, email us at info@firstchoicelaw.com or fill out the online form provided at the top of this page and one of our Orlando insurance law attorneys will contact you shortly.