Do I need a lawyer if the life insurance company refuses to pay a claim?
Answered by 4 licensed agents
Depends on how much money we're talking about and why they denied it. Most of the time I'd say hold off on a lawyer, get your agent to dig into the denial reason and refile with better documentation, that fixes it more than people think. But if it's a big claim and they're just flat out refusing after you've appealed, then yeah get an attorney involved, insurance law is its own thing and not something to DIY on a large claim. Happy to take a look at your policy if you want a second opinion before you spend money on a lawyer.
Not always. If a life insurance company denies a claim, first ask for the denial and the specific reason in writing. Review the policy and give the insurer a chance to reconsider.
If the denial appears incorrect or the claim involves a significant amount of money, speaking with an attorney who handles insurance disputes may be a good idea. You can also contact your state insurance department for help with a complaint.
The key is to understand why the claim was denied before deciding what to do next.
A Life Insurance Policy is a contract and refusal to pay a claim should reflect the violation/breach of one or more clauses. If you were denied a claim, call the Insurer and ask for clarification, then verify in the contract the information you have received. If the disagreement persists, you may need to seek legal help.