Life Insurance Claim Lawyers

When a life insurance company delays payment, denies a claim, investigates a beneficiary, or refuses to decide who should receive the policy proceeds, the beneficiary may be left trying to navigate a complicated insurance and legal process while dealing with the loss of a loved one.

The life insurance claim lawyers at the Law Offices of Jason Turchin help beneficiaries, families, estates, and other claimants pursue life insurance benefits throughout Florida and across the United States. We handle life insurance claim filing, denied and delayed claims, beneficiary disputes, interpleader lawsuits, contestability investigations, alleged misrepresentations, lapse disputes, former-spouse claims, ERISA matters, and other complex life insurance disputes.

If you need help with a life insurance claim, call (800) 337-7755 or contact us online for a free consultation. We handle many life insurance disputes on a contingency fee basis, which means our fee is generally paid from a recovery rather than requiring an upfront attorney’s fee.

How Can a Life Insurance Claim Lawyer Help?

A life insurance claim can involve much more than submitting a death certificate and waiting for a check. Insurance companies may investigate the policy application, payment history, cause of death, beneficiary designation, medical history, employment records, divorce records, or circumstances surrounding a recent beneficiary change.

A life insurance attorney may be able to help determine why benefits have not been paid, identify the legal and factual issues affecting the claim, obtain relevant records, respond to requests from the insurer, challenge a denial, negotiate with the insurance company, or pursue litigation when appropriate.

Our firm can assist at virtually every stage of a life insurance claim, including:

• Helping beneficiaries file a life insurance claim
• Reviewing claim forms before submission
• Investigating delayed life insurance claims
• Challenging denied life insurance claims
• Responding to contestability investigations
• Addressing allegations of material misrepresentation
• Handling disputes over unpaid premiums or alleged policy lapse
• Representing beneficiaries in competing beneficiary disputes
• Challenging or defending beneficiary changes
• Handling former-spouse beneficiary disputes
• Representing parties in state and federal interpleader lawsuits
• Handling claims involving the Florida Slayer Statute
• Addressing ERISA and employer-sponsored life insurance issues
• Litigating life insurance disputes when they cannot be resolved through the claims process

What Should You Do If a Life Insurance Claim Is Denied?

If a life insurance company denies your claim, start by determining exactly why it refused to pay. The denial letter may identify a policy provision, alleged application misrepresentation, lapse, exclusion, beneficiary problem, or other reason for the decision.

Do not assume the insurer’s decision is necessarily final or correct. A denial may sometimes be challenged through additional documentation, a written appeal, negotiation, or litigation depending on the policy and applicable law.

Before responding to a significant denial, it can be helpful to preserve the policy, application, denial letter, correspondence, premium records, beneficiary forms, claim forms, and other documents related to the claim. Statements made during an appeal or investigation can potentially become important later.

Our attorneys can review the policy and denial and evaluate possible options for challenging the insurance company’s decision.

Common Reasons Life Insurance Claims Are Denied

Life insurance companies may deny claims for many different reasons. Some involve the insured’s original application. Others involve premium payments, policy exclusions, the circumstances of death, or questions concerning the beneficiary.

Material Misrepresentation on the Application

One of the most common issues in contested life insurance claims is an allegation that the insured gave an inaccurate or incomplete answer on the application. The insurer may compare the application against medical records, prescription histories, financial information, or other records after the insured dies.

Disputes may arise over whether an answer was actually inaccurate, whether the insured knew the information, how the application question was phrased, whether an agent completed part of the application, and whether the alleged misrepresentation legally permits the insurer to avoid coverage.

Learn more about material misrepresentation in life insurance claims.

Failure to Pay Premiums or Alleged Policy Lapse

An insurer may claim that the policy terminated before the insured died because a premium was not paid. A lapse denial should not necessarily end the inquiry.

Questions may arise concerning whether premiums were actually due, whether payments were properly credited, whether required notices were sent, whether an automatic payment failed, whether there was a grace period, and whether applicable policy provisions or laws were followed.

Death During the Contestability Period

Many life insurance policies contain a contestability period, commonly involving the first two years after a policy takes effect. If the insured dies during this period, the insurer may conduct a detailed investigation before deciding whether to pay the claim.

An investigation does not automatically mean the claim will be denied. The insurer may review medical records, application answers, prescription history, financial information, and other evidence before making its decision.

Learn more about the two-year life insurance contestability period.

Policy Exclusions

Life insurance policies may contain exclusions or limitations that insurers rely upon when denying claims. The precise wording of the policy can be critical. A dispute may concern whether the exclusion actually applies to the circumstances of the insured’s death.

Suicide Exclusion

Life insurance policies may contain provisions addressing suicide, particularly during an initial period after the policy becomes effective. These claims can involve both contractual and factual issues concerning the cause and circumstances of death.

Read more about suicide exclusions in life insurance claims.

Alcohol or Drug-Related Issues

Some insurers may investigate alcohol or drug use when evaluating a claim. Whether that provides a valid basis to deny benefits depends on the policy language, facts surrounding the death, applicable law, and the insurer’s stated basis for denial.

Why Is My Life Insurance Claim Taking So Long?

A delayed life insurance claim is not necessarily a denied claim. Insurers may investigate claims before making a payment decision, particularly when the death occurs soon after the policy was issued or when there are questions about the beneficiary, policy application, premium history, or cause of death.

Common reasons for life insurance claim delays include:

• Missing or incomplete claim forms
• Problems obtaining a certified death certificate
• An investigation during the contestability period
• Requests for medical records
• Questions about application answers
• Questions concerning premium payments or policy lapse
• Multiple people claiming the same death benefit
• A recent beneficiary change
• Questions concerning the insured’s cause of death
• A criminal investigation involving the beneficiary or insured
• Difficulty locating beneficiaries
• ERISA or employer-plan issues

If an insurer repeatedly requests information, stops communicating, or leaves a substantial claim unresolved, a life insurance lawyer may be able to determine what is holding up the claim and whether additional action is appropriate.

Life Insurance Beneficiary Disputes

Sometimes the insurance company is willing to pay the death benefit but does not know who is legally entitled to receive it.

A life insurance beneficiary dispute may arise when two or more people claim the same proceeds or someone challenges the validity of the beneficiary designation.

Examples can include:

• A beneficiary was changed shortly before the insured’s death
• A former spouse remains listed as beneficiary
• A new spouse and former spouse both claim the proceeds
• Children challenge a beneficiary change favoring another person
• A caregiver becomes the beneficiary shortly before death
• A family member alleges undue influence
• The insured allegedly lacked mental capacity when the beneficiary was changed
• A signature or beneficiary form is alleged to have been forged
• A power of attorney was used in connection with a beneficiary change
• The primary beneficiary died before the insured
• There are conflicting beneficiary forms
• An estate and an individual beneficiary both claim the proceeds

These cases can become highly fact-specific. Evidence may include beneficiary forms, insurance company records, medical records, emails, text messages, recorded calls, estate documents, divorce records, witness testimony, and records showing how and when a beneficiary designation was changed.

What Is a Life Insurance Interpleader Lawsuit?

If an insurance company receives competing claims to the same death benefit, it may decide not to choose between the claimants. Instead, the insurer may file an interpleader lawsuit.

In a typical life insurance interpleader, the insurer asks a court to determine who should receive the policy proceeds. The company may seek permission to deposit the disputed money into the court registry and ask to be discharged from further liability concerning the competing claims.

The beneficiaries may then have to litigate against each other over entitlement to the money.

Interpleader cases may be filed in state or federal court depending on the circumstances. They can involve substantial policy proceeds and issues such as beneficiary changes, divorce, mental capacity, undue influence, forgery, ERISA, estate claims, and alleged wrongdoing by a beneficiary.

If you have already been served with an interpleader complaint, do not assume the insurance company or court will protect your claim simply because you are listed as a beneficiary. Court deadlines may apply, and failing to respond can affect your rights.

Life Insurance Claims Involving a Former Spouse

Divorce can create difficult life insurance disputes. An insured may have named a spouse as beneficiary while married and never changed the designation after divorce. In other cases, a divorce judgment or settlement agreement may require the insured to maintain coverage for a former spouse or children.

The outcome may depend on the type of policy, applicable state or federal law, the divorce documents, subsequent beneficiary designations, and whether the policy is part of an employer-sponsored plan.

Because ERISA and other federal laws can affect some employer-provided benefits, the analysis for an individually purchased policy may differ from the analysis for a workplace policy.

Life Insurance Claims and the Florida Slayer Statute

A particularly serious beneficiary dispute can arise when a beneficiary is accused of intentionally causing or participating in the insured’s death.

Florida law contains a “Slayer Statute” that can affect whether a person who unlawfully and intentionally kills another may receive benefits resulting from the death. These disputes can become complicated when a criminal investigation is pending, criminal charges were not filed, or multiple beneficiaries or an estate claim entitlement to the proceeds.

The insurance company may file an interpleader rather than decide the issue itself, leaving the competing parties to litigate entitlement to the death benefit.

ERISA Life Insurance Claims

Life insurance provided through an employer may be governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, commonly known as ERISA. ERISA claims can involve different rules and procedures than disputes over individually purchased life insurance policies.

Issues may involve plan documents, beneficiary designations, administrative claims, appeals, federal preemption, employer records, and federal court litigation.

Because deadlines and procedures can differ, identifying whether the policy is part of an ERISA-governed plan can be an important early step in evaluating a life insurance dispute.

Can We Help File a Life Insurance Claim Before There Is a Problem?

Yes. You do not necessarily have to wait for a claim to be denied before seeking assistance.

Our firm can help beneficiaries file life insurance claim forms, particularly when the policy is substantial or circumstances suggest the insurer may investigate the claim.

Getting the initial submission right can be important. Claim forms, supporting documentation, and communications with the insurance company may become part of the claim file if a dispute later develops.

What Documents Should I Gather for a Life Insurance Claim?

The documents needed depend on the issue, but it can be helpful to preserve as much information as possible. Potentially relevant materials include:

• The life insurance policy
• Certificate of insurance
• Life insurance application
• Death certificate
• Claim forms
• Beneficiary designation forms
• Prior beneficiary designations
• Letters and emails from the insurance company
• Denial letters
• Premium payment records
• Bank statements showing premium payments
• Employer benefit documents
• Divorce judgments and marital settlement agreements
• Wills, trusts, and estate documents
• Powers of attorney
• Relevant text messages and emails
• Medical records when application answers or capacity are disputed

Do not discard older beneficiary forms or correspondence merely because a newer document exists. The history of the policy may become important in a disputed claim.

How Much Is a Life Insurance Claim Worth?

The starting point is generally the death benefit payable under the policy, but the amount ultimately at issue can depend on the policy terms and circumstances.

For example, a dispute may concern whether the full policy was in force, whether an accidental death benefit applies, whether interest is owed, or whether multiple beneficiaries are entitled to different shares.

Florida claims may also raise questions concerning interest on life insurance proceeds.

How Long Does a Life Insurance Claim Take?

There is no universal timeline. An uncontested claim with complete documentation may be processed relatively quickly, while a contested claim can take substantially longer.

The timeline may be affected by:

• Whether the insurer is investigating the claim
• Whether the death occurred during the contestability period
• How quickly records can be obtained
• Whether the insurer alleges misrepresentation
• Whether the policy allegedly lapsed
• Whether multiple beneficiaries are making claims
• Whether a beneficiary designation is challenged
• Whether an interpleader lawsuit is filed
• Whether litigation becomes necessary

If you are experiencing a prolonged delay, our attorneys can review the circumstances and help determine possible next steps.

Can You Sue a Life Insurance Company for Not Paying a Claim?

Depending on the policy, applicable law, and circumstances, litigation may be an option when an insurer refuses to pay benefits allegedly due under a life insurance policy.

Not every dispute requires a lawsuit. Some claims may be resolved by supplying additional evidence, challenging the insurer’s reasoning, pursuing an administrative appeal, or negotiating a resolution. Other disputes may require litigation.

The appropriate strategy depends on why the insurer refused to pay and what law governs the policy.

How Much Does a Life Insurance Claim Lawyer Cost?

We handle many life insurance claim disputes on a contingency fee basis. In a contingency arrangement, our attorney’s fee is generally paid as a percentage of the recovery rather than requiring the client to pay hourly attorney’s fees upfront.

If there is no recovery in a matter we accept on a contingency fee basis, our firm does not charge attorney’s fees or costs.

The specific fee arrangement is explained in the representation agreement and can depend on the nature and circumstances of the case.

Life Insurance Claim Lawyers Serving Florida and Clients Nationwide

The Law Offices of Jason Turchin is based in Florida and handles life insurance claims and disputes throughout the state, including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Palm Beach County, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and surrounding communities.

For Florida-specific information, visit our Florida life insurance claims resource.

We may also handle life insurance disputes throughout the United States as lead counsel or together with local counsel where appropriate. Our matters have included claims involving:

• Florida
• New York
• New Jersey
• Washington, D.C.

If your state is not listed, contact our office. Depending on the matter and applicable rules, we may be able to handle the case or work with local counsel.

Why Choose the Law Offices of Jason Turchin for a Life Insurance Claim?

Life insurance disputes are a significant part of our practice. Rather than approaching these cases as ordinary insurance claims, we handle matters ranging from initial claim submissions through complex beneficiary litigation and federal interpleader actions.

Jason Turchin has been selected to Super Lawyers each year from 2020 through 2026 and was previously selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2011 and from 2013 through 2016. He has received an Avvo 10.0 Superb Rating and was AV Preeminent Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence by Martindale-Hubbell in 2026.

The firm received the Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion Platinum Award in 2026 and has maintained an A+ BBB rating annually from 2014 through 2026. Jason is also a Lifetime Charter Member of Best Attorneys of America and a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum list and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum list.

Jason was also named to America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys® list in 2026, 7 Figure Litigators® – America’s Premier High-Stakes Trial Lawyers® in 2026, and the 2026 MyLegalWin Top Attorneys in America list.

His legal commentary and work have been featured in or on CBS Evening News, CBS This Morning, CNN, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Bloomberg News, USA Today, and Rolling Stone.

Ratings, awards, memberships, media recognition, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future case.

Frequently Asked Questions About Life Insurance Claims

What should I do first if my life insurance claim was denied?

Obtain and preserve the denial letter, policy, application, claim forms, beneficiary documents, and correspondence with the insurer. Determine the exact reason the insurer says it will not pay before deciding how to respond. A life insurance attorney can review the stated reason for denial and evaluate possible options for challenging it.

Can a life insurance company deny a claim after accepting premiums?

Potentially, depending on the facts and applicable law. Insurers may raise issues involving application representations, exclusions, lapse, contestability, or other policy provisions. Whether a particular denial is valid requires analysis of the policy, facts, and governing law.

Can a life insurance company investigate medical records after death?

Insurance companies may seek medical records during certain claim investigations, particularly when the insured dies during a policy’s contestability period or when the insurer is investigating statements made on the application.

What happens when two people claim the same life insurance policy?

The insurer may investigate the competing claims, request additional information, or file an interpleader lawsuit asking a court to determine who should receive the money. The insurer may seek to deposit the proceeds with the court rather than choosing between the claimants itself.

Can I challenge a life insurance beneficiary?

There are circumstances in which a beneficiary designation may be challenged. Potential issues can include lack of capacity, undue influence, forgery, fraud, divorce, conflicting beneficiary forms, powers of attorney, federal law, or beneficiary disqualification. Whether a challenge is viable depends on the specific facts and governing law.

Can someone challenge a beneficiary change made shortly before death?

Potentially. Timing alone does not necessarily invalidate a beneficiary change, but a last-minute change may lead to questions concerning the insured’s intent, mental capacity, undue influence, forgery, or the circumstances surrounding the transaction.

What happens if the named beneficiary died before the insured?

The policy may identify one or more contingent beneficiaries or contain provisions determining who receives the proceeds if the primary beneficiary does not survive the insured. The estate may become relevant in some circumstances.

Does a will override a life insurance beneficiary?

Life insurance is generally paid according to the policy’s beneficiary designation and applicable law rather than simply according to a will. However, estate documents can sometimes become relevant to a broader beneficiary dispute, and special circumstances may affect the analysis.

Can a former spouse collect life insurance after divorce?

Sometimes. The answer can depend on applicable state law, whether the insured redesignated the former spouse after divorce, the terms of the divorce judgment or settlement agreement, and whether federal law governs the policy.

What happens if no beneficiary is listed on a life insurance policy?

The policy may contain a default provision identifying who receives the proceeds. Depending on the policy and circumstances, the insured’s estate or certain relatives may potentially become involved.

What is the two-year contestability period for life insurance?

The contestability period generally refers to an initial period during which the insurer may investigate information provided in connection with the policy when evaluating a death claim. The precise rights of the insurer and beneficiary depend on the policy and applicable law.

Do I need a lawyer to file a life insurance claim?

Many uncontested claims can be submitted directly by beneficiaries. Legal assistance may be particularly useful when the claim involves substantial proceeds, a denial, prolonged investigation, competing beneficiaries, a recent beneficiary change, an alleged lapse, an interpleader lawsuit, or another significant dispute.

Can a life insurance lawyer take my case on contingency?

Yes. We handle many qualifying life insurance disputes on a contingency fee basis, so the client generally does not pay upfront hourly attorney’s fees and our fee is paid from a recovery.

How long can a life insurance company investigate a claim?

There is no single answer applicable to every policy and jurisdiction. The nature of the investigation, applicable state or federal law, policy provisions, requested records, and circumstances of the claim can all affect the timeline. An unusually prolonged investigation may warrant closer review.

What is a life insurance interpleader?

An interpleader is a lawsuit that may be used when multiple people claim the same insurance proceeds. Rather than decide who should be paid, the insurer may ask a court to determine the rightful recipient and may seek permission to deposit the proceeds into the court registry.

Speak With a Life Insurance Claim Lawyer

If a life insurance company has denied your claim, delayed payment, started an investigation, challenged coverage, or refused to pay because of a beneficiary dispute, our attorneys can review the circumstances and discuss possible options.

We can also assist beneficiaries who want help filing a substantial or potentially complicated life insurance claim before a dispute develops.

Call the Law Offices of Jason Turchin at (800) 337-7755 or submit your case information online for a free consultation.