Life Insurance Appeals

Life Insurance Claims Denial

When a loved one has passed, we expect our insurance companies to aid in the process that is already emotionally overwhelming. However, every year millions of dollars are withheld from those grieving families when life insurance claims are denied on a loved one’s life insurance policy. Insurance companies can also unfairly cancel a policy or give you a lowball settlement amount upon reviewing an application.

There are many ways insurance companies can act in bad faith when handling life insurance claims. If your claim is denied, it is in your best interest to act quickly within the 60 day window to contact a life insurance claim attorney and appeal the denial.

WHAT THE INSURANCE COMPANIES SAY

Often insurance companies will respond with issues related to the initial application and argue that something was misrepresented or intentionally withheld. In addition, in cases where there is an AD&D provision, they will argue that the nature of the death or circumstances surrounding death are not covered under the policy and that there will not be any payout on the AD&D provision. Our life insurance claim attorney has handled multiple matters involving these circumstances. Often the death certificate even provides sufficient evidence to establish that the individual in question did in fact die of a covered accident etc.

It is imperative that a skilled life insurance claim attorney with knowledge of these matters be brought into the equation very quickly because often there is a short burning fuse of a timeline in which to appeal the denial. Generally, an important rule under Federal law is that you only have 60 days to file an appeal to the denied death claim. If you do not contact the insurer within 60 days of the denial, you are essentially giving-up your opportunity to appeal. In most instances you can ask the insurer for more time and they will grant the request; however, you cannot assume this and must review the policy in question to determine the applicable appeals process and deadline.

HOW A Life Insurance Claim ATTORNEY CAN HELP APPEAL YOUR DENIAL

It is imperative that you contact an attorney immediately to understand your rights and obligations in appealing these denials. We have handled many of these matters and have been shocked over the years when these matters are denied without cause.

Importantly, if the subsequent appeal is denied then the matter may have to proceed into litigation in the form of a Complaint against the insurance company, and we are experienced in litigated cases of this nature before Georgia State and Federal Courts. Generally, these appeals are handled on a contingency fee basis which means we are not paid unless the appeal is granted and the funds are obtained; i.e., we do not get paid unless the beneficiary gets paid.

Thereafter, the agreed upon percentage of attorney’s fees would come from the life insurance proceeds after they are paid out after the appeal is granted.

Once again, time is of the essence in these matters and it is important that you know your rights and obligations and act immediately if the policy in question has been denied.  Please contact our firm today to schedule a consultation with our experienced life insurance claim attorney. We are here to help.