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Our life insurance lawyers serving ID have decades of experience fighting for the rights of life insurance beneficiaries.
When a policyholder purchases life insurance, their goal is to ensure the financial well-being of their dependents or other loved ones in the event of the policyholder’s death. You would think the process is simple – the policyholder purchases life insurance, pays premiums, and if they die within the policy term, their beneficiaries receive the death benefit.
Unfortunately, the process rarely goes that smoothly. Many beneficiaries find the claims process to be confusing, or even worse, they figure out how to file their claim only to learn that the life insurance company denied their payout.
A life insurance lawyer serving Idaho can fight the insurance companies to get beneficiaries the compensation they deserve.
The ID Life Insurance Lawyers at Boonswang Law Have Helped Beneficiaries In These Cities Among Others:
- Boise
- Meridian
- Nampa
- Idaho Falls
- Pocatello
- Caldwell
- Coeur d’Alene
- Twin Falls
- Post Falls
- Lewiston
- Rexburg
- Eagle
- Moscow
- Kuna
- Ammon
Discuss Your Life Insurance Claim with an ID Life Insurance Lawyer at Boonswang Law
Common Reasons Life Insurance Companies Deny Claims in Idaho
Lapse in Coverage Due to Nonpayment of Premiums
To maintain life insurance coverage, a policyholder must pay premiums as they come due. If the premiums are not paid, coverage may lapse, resulting in denials on subsequent claims for death benefits.
You might think that is the end of the story, but often, nonpayment is not the fault of the policyholder, and the beneficiaries can still get a payout. For example, a beneficiary can still get paid when the lapse was due to the policyholder failing to obtain a disability waiver of premiums or when the life insurance company failed to send the legally required notices of pending lapse.
If your life insurance claim is denied due to lapse, contact an ID life insurance lawyer at Boonswang Law to discuss your situation. You may still get your payout.
Contact the ID Life Insurance Lawyers at Boonswang Law Today to Discuss Your Case
We know what you are going through. You have just lost a loved one and have enough to deal with besides figuring out how to file life insurance claims or contesting a life insurance claim denial. Let our attorneys take this off your plate and help you get paid.
Boonswang Law is here to help you. Put our decades of experience fighting for beneficiaries to work for you. Call us today at (855) 865-4335 to schedule your free consultation.
Death from Self-Inflicted Injuries or Other Exclusion
All life insurance policies include a list of causes of death excluded from coverage, and these vary amongst insurers and individual policies. For example, most policies exclude coverage of death as a result of self-inflicted injuries.
The problem is insurance companies have a reputation for attempting to wrongfully classify someone’s death as self-inflicted to avoid paying beneficiaries’ claims. Call us if the life insurance company is alleging that the policyholder died from self-inflicted injuries. We have gotten many beneficiaries paid after we investigated and found that death was not self-inflicted.
Misinterpreting the Policy Terms
In some cases, insurance companies will misinterpret the provisions of the policy itself in an attempt to deny a life insurance claim. In these instances, it is essential to hire an ID life insurance attorney to protect your interests. We know their tricks – don’t take no for an answer! Call us for help.
Retroactive Cancellation for Misrepresentation
Premiums are calculated based on the risk that the policyholder may die within the policy term. Insurance companies use the information the policyholder discloses on their initial application and medical questionnaire to determine that risk.
If the policyholder made a mistake or failed to disclose information on their initial application for life insurance, the life insurance company may allege that the policyholder misrepresented themselves to get a lower premium. In misrepresentation cases, the life insurance company is permitted to retroactively cancel the policy, and they will deny beneficiaries’ claims.
Boonswang Law has decades of experience with misrepresentation cases and can often show that the error was an innocent mistake, that it had nothing to do with the policyholder’s death, or that the policyholder had no knowledge of the missing fact when applying for life insurance.
We have often gotten our clients paid when their claims were initially denied due to alleged misrepresentation.
Insurance Scams & Bad Faith: What to Watch Out For
Navigating the complex world of life insurance can be challenging. It becomes even more difficult when insurance providers engage in practices that may seem legal on the surface but are often misleading or unfair to policyholders.
In this section, we will shed light on common life insurance scams and instances of bad faith that policyholders need to watch out for.
Indexed Universal Life Insurance
Indexed Universal Life Insurance (IUL) is a type of permanent life insurance that provides a death benefit and a cash value component. It allows policyholders to tie their accumulation value to a market index. While this can potentially lead to significant growth, it can also be misrepresented or misunderstood.
Unscrupulous insurance agents might oversell the potential benefits of IUL policies, underplaying the risk and the costs involved. For example, they may present hypothetical scenarios showing high interest rates, when in reality, the actual returns may be much lower.
It’s also common for these agents to fail to explain policy charges, surrender periods, or potential penalties for early withdrawals. As a policyholder, it’s crucial to understand the full terms of your IUL policy to avoid such misleading representations.
Churning Scams
Churning is a deceptive practice where insurance agents encourage policyholders to switch policies frequently. The intent behind churning is to generate more commission for the agent rather than to benefit the policyholder.
You might be told that a new policy offers better benefits or that your current policy is not performing well. However, the truth is, churning often leads to increased premiums and potential loss of benefits.
It’s essential to consult with a knowledgeable attorney or a trusted advisor before making changes to your life insurance policy, as repeated changes can lead to financial loss.
Insurance Bad Faith
Bad faith refers to unfair practices by insurance companies that violate their duty to deal with policyholders honestly and fairly. This could include delaying claim processing, denying valid claims without a legitimate reason, misrepresenting policy terms, or refusing to settle a claim.
As a policyholder, you trust your insurance company to honor their commitment. When they fail to do so, it can be financially and emotionally devastating. Fortunately, legal remedies are available. If you believe that your insurance company is acting in bad faith, it’s critical to seek legal advice immediately.
Remember, your life insurance policy is there to provide security and peace of mind. Don’t let unfair practices rob you of these benefits. If you have questions or need assistance, our dedicated team of life insurance attorneys serving Idaho is here to help.
What You Can Expect When You Choose Us to Fight For You
There are several benefits to working with a life insurance lawyer instead of trying to handle issues with a life insurance claim on your own. Below are some ways we can assist you:
- We thoroughly review the terms of the applicable policy
- We thoroughly review denial letters and any other documentation you’ve received from the insurance company to determine why they denied or delayed your claim
- We investigate allegations made by the insurance company in their attempt to deny your claim
- Our life insurance attorneys handle all negotiations with the large insurance companies and their lawyers
- We vigorously litigate your claim in court if necessary
Idaho Life Insurance Claim FAQ
How Long Do I Have to File a Life Insurance Claim?
There is no time limit to file life insurance claims under Idaho law.
Who is Authorized to Change a Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation?
Only the policyholder can legally change the beneficiary designation on a life insurance policy. In rare instances, a person who has power of attorney over the policyholder may make changes to the policy.
What Happens If the Beneficiary Dies Before the Policyholder?
If a policyholder did not designate a secondary or contingent beneficiary, the benefits may pay to the policyholder’s estate. In that case, the death benefit will be subject to the claims of the policyholder’s creditors rather than pass to the beneficiary in its entirety.
To avoid this and make sure the intended beneficiaries receive the full amount of the death benefit, it is important for policyholders to keep their primary beneficiary designation updated and provide for secondary or contingent beneficiaries.
What Happens When a Minor is the Designated Beneficiary?
The courts will usually choose a custodian to administer the death benefits if the beneficiary is a minor when the policyholder dies. Unfortunately, nothing can really be done to stop the custodian from making personal use of the death benefits.
A policyholder wishing a minor to receive the death benefits can avoid this by creating a trust, designating the minor as the beneficiary of the trust, and designating the trust as the beneficiary of the life insurance policy. We suggest hiring an estate planning attorney to help you understand the legalities of setting up a trust and get the legal help you need.
How Do I Find Out if a Loved One Had a Life Insurance Policy?
Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question because there is no nationwide database listing every person who has purchased a life insurance policy. You will have to snoop around to find evidence of a policy in place.
There are a few things you can try. Contact the policyholder’s employer and ask if they offered group life insurance coverage as a benefit of working there. Look through old documents in search of life insurance paperwork. Review bank statements to find evidence of paid insurance premiums.
I am the Named Beneficiary, But I’d Like to Share the Death Benefits with My Siblings - Can I?
Yes! A policyholder may choose to list only one of their children as a beneficiary on their life insurance policy with the expectation that that child shares with the others. Whether this is the case or not, a beneficiary can share death benefits with whomever they choose, including their siblings.
The Beneficiary Designation Seems Suspicious Because it Changed Just Before Death. What Should I Do?
Are you the formerly-named beneficiary? First, keep in mind that policyholders can change beneficiaries while they are alive as long as they are of sound mind and not under duress when they make the changes.
However, if you suspect that the policyholder was not of sound mind or experienced pressure to make the change, or both, contact a life insurance attorney. You may contest the beneficiary designation change.
Can I Still Receive Death Benefits on a Lapsed Life Insurance Policy?
It is possible. First, know that most life insurance policies have a grace period for unpaid premiums, so you may still be able to receive death benefits even if the policyholder missed a payment. Second, the policy may have lapsed through no fault of the policyholder.
A life insurance lawyer at Boonswang Law is ready to discuss your case with you and can investigate to see if either of these circumstances apply. We have gotten many beneficiary clients paid under these circumstances.
Can a Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation Change After The Policyholder's Death?
Not under any circumstance. The policyholder is the only person who can make changes to the policy. If you receive paperwork showing that the beneficiary changed after the policyholder’s death, it is most likely fraudulent. A life insurance attorney can help you if you suspect this is the case.
When Should a Spouse Contest a Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation?
With a divorced or remarried policyholder, confusion may arise over who gets what. A life insurance lawyer can explain what you’re entitled to as the deceased’s spouse or former spouse.
Life Insurance Attorneys Serving These States
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- US Virgin Islands
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming