Florida Life Insurance Lawyers

Losing a loved one is devastating enough without having to fight a massive insurance corporation just to receive the financial support they left behind. Unfortunately, life insurance companies frequently delay, dispute, or outright deny legitimate claims to protect their own profits.

If you are a beneficiary facing a delayed or denied life insurance claim in Florida, the Law Offices of Jason Turchin can help. Our trial attorneys have successfully handled over 6,500 claims nationwide. Whether you need a life insurance lawyer in Miami, Orlando, Tampa, or Weston, we have the resources to take on the biggest insurance carriers. Call us 24/7 at (800) 337-7755 for a free, confidential consultation.

The 2-Year Contestability Clause in Florida

One of the most common reasons a Florida life insurance claim is denied is due to the contestability period. Under Florida law, a life insurance policy is generally considered “contestable” for the first two years after it is issued.

If the insured passes away within this two-year window, the insurance company will launch a rigorous investigation into their medical history. They are looking for any “material misrepresentation“ – an excuse to claim the deceased lied or omitted facts on their original application (such as failing to disclose a minor medical visit or tobacco use). If they find a discrepancy, they may attempt to cancel the policy and refuse to pay the death benefit. Our attorneys can aggressively fight back against these bad-faith retroactive cancellations.

Common Reasons Life Insurance Claims Are Denied

Beyond the contestability period, insurance companies use a variety of tactics and exclusions to avoid paying beneficiaries. We routinely litigate disputes involving:

• Non-Payment of Premiums (Policy Lapse): The insurer claims the policy was canceled because a payment was missed. However, Florida law generally requires insurers to provide strict grace periods and written notices before a policy can legally lapse.
• Beneficiary Disputes & Interpleader Actions: When multiple people (such as a current spouse and a former spouse) claim the same death benefit, the insurance company may file a federal interpleader lawsuit, freezing the funds until a judge decides who is entitled to the money.
• Suicide Clause Exclusions: Most policies contain a clause stating they will not pay out if the insured commits suicide within the first two years of the policy. Insurers will sometimes wrongly classify accidental overdoses or tragic accidents as suicides to avoid payment.
• Slayer Statute Investigations: If law enforcement has not officially cleared the primary beneficiary of involvement in the insured’s death, the insurance company could withhold the funds.

Interest Payments on Delayed Life Insurance Proceeds

Insurance companies cannot hold onto your money indefinitely without consequence. Under Florida law, life insurance companies are required to pay statutory interest on the death benefit. This interest generally accrues from the date the insurer receives written proof of death until the date the claim is finally paid. If your claim has been unfairly delayed for months, our Florida life insurance attorneys can fight to ensure you receive the principal death benefit plus all accrued interest, if you are entitled.

Florida Life Insurance FAQs

How much does it cost to hire a Florida life insurance lawyer?

We understand that you may be facing financial hardship after the loss of a loved one. That is why we handle life insurance claims on a strict contingency fee basis. You pay zero out-of-pocket costs, and we only collect an attorney’s fee and costs if we successfully recover the life insurance proceeds for you.

Where in Florida do you handle life insurance cases?

We can represent beneficiaries statewide and in federal courts across the country. We can handle life insurance claim denials for residents in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Weston, Key West, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Orlando, Tampa, Naples, Pensacola, and all surrounding areas.

Can an ex-spouse claim my life insurance payout?

This is a highly complex area of Florida law. Generally, under Fla. Stat. § 732.703, a divorce automatically invalidates a beneficiary designation naming the former spouse. However, there are strict exceptions to this rule, particularly if the life insurance policy is governed by federal ERISA laws (employer-provided policies) or if a specific marital settlement agreement mandated the ex-spouse remain on the policy. If you are facing a dispute with a former spouse, you may need legal representation immediately.

Do not let the insurance company have the final say. Contact the Law Offices of Jason Turchin today at (800) 337-7755 to demand the benefits you may be entitled to.