Do I Need a Lawyer for a Life Insurance Claim Denial?

When a loved one passes away, families often depend on life insurance benefits to cover funeral costs, mortgage payments, and household expenses. Receiving a denial letter instead of a check can feel devastating. Insurers may cite reasons like misrepresentation, lapse in premiums, contestability, accidental death exclusions, or multiple beneficiaries claiming the same policy.

If this has happened to you, one of the first questions you may ask is: Do I need a lawyer to fight a life insurance claim denial? The short answer is that while you can sometimes resolve simple disputes directly with the insurance company, most denials involve complex legal issues that require professional representation. In many cases, beneficiaries who hire a lawyer recover benefits they may otherwise have lost.

The Law Offices of Jason Turchin helps families in Florida, New York, New Jersey, and across the United States with life insurance disputes. If your claim was denied, call 800-337-7755 for a free consultation. You won’t pay any fees or costs unless we recover money for you.

Why Life Insurance Denials Can Be Complicated

Insurance companies have teams of adjusters, lawyers, and investigators working on their side. When they deny a claim, they typically rely on technical policy language or state and federal law to justify their decision. Some of the most common challenges include:

• Misrepresentation disputes – Did the policyholder omit a medical condition or make a mistake on the application?
• Lapse issues – Did the insurer truly terminate the policy for non-payment, or did it fail to follow the required notice rules?
• Contestability reviews – Was the insured within the two-year contestability period? Was the alleged misstatement even material?
• ERISA complications – Federal law governs employer-provided group policies, and it can override state-level protections.
• Multiple claimants – When more than one person claims the money, insurers often file an interpleader lawsuit in court.
• Accidental death exclusions – Insurers often deny claims involving alcohol, drugs, or medical complications, even when the death was primarily accidental.

Without legal experience, it can be overwhelming to fight these arguments on your own.

How a Lawyer May Help

An experienced life insurance attorney can:

• Review the denial letter and explain whether the insurer’s reasoning is valid under the policy and law.
• Request the insurer’s investigative file to see how the decision was made.
• Gather evidence such as medical records, payment histories, or witness statements.
• Negotiate with the insurer to resolve the claim before litigation.
• File a lawsuit in state or federal court if necessary.
• Represent you in interpleader actions if the insurer deposits the funds with the court due to competing claims.

Many beneficiaries find that insurers respond differently when a lawyer is involved, as the insurer knows the claim will be scrutinized under the law.

Florida, New York, and New Jersey Claim Denials

Florida

Laws in Florida require insurers to act fairly and promptly. If they delay or deny payment without proper justification, beneficiaries may challenge the denial in court.

New York

New York insurance law places the burden on insurers to prove that a denial is valid. Beneficiaries can push back if the insurer overreaches.

New Jersey

New Jersey courts examine whether the insurer complied with state notice and policy requirements. Beneficiaries often succeed when insurers cut corners.

What Happens If You Don’t Hire a Lawyer?

Without legal representation, beneficiaries may:

• Miss important filing deadlines (many policies require lawsuits within a short period of time).
• Fail to obtain key records from the insurer.
• Be pressured into accepting a denial or small settlement.
• Lose their rights in court if they do not respond properly to an interpleader lawsuit.

Because insurance companies know beneficiaries are grieving, they sometimes rely on the hope that people will give up rather than fight.

What It Costs to Hire a Lawyer

Most life insurance lawyers, including the Law Offices of Jason Turchin, work on a contingency fee basis. This means:

• You don’t pay anything upfront.
• The lawyer only gets paid if money is recovered for you.
• If the case is unsuccessful, you owe nothing to us in fees or costs.

This fee arrangement makes it possible for families to pursue claims without financial risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fight a life insurance denial on my own?
You can, but insurers often have the upper hand without legal pressure. Many families only get paid after hiring a lawyer.

What if my claim is just delayed, not denied?
Delays can still be challenged. A lawyer can push the insurer to act or pursue penalties for unreasonable delay.

What if there are two people claiming the same policy?
That’s an interpleader case, which is handled in court. Legal representation is usually necessary to protect your rights.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
Most policies limit lawsuits to one to five years.

Contact Life Insurance Claim Lawyers

If your life insurance claim was denied or delayed, hiring a lawyer may make the difference between losing benefits and securing the money your family is entitled to. Call the Law Offices of Jason Turchin today at 800-337-7755 or connect with us through live chat for a free consultation.