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Boonswang Law’s Washington Life Insurance Lawyers Will Fight for Your Benefits
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People purchase life insurance policies for themselves to ensure that their dependents are taken care of in the event of their death. Unfortunately, filing a claim for death benefits isn’t always easy for life insurance beneficiaries. Many beneficiaries find the process to be confusing, or even worse, learn that the life insurance company denied their claim.
An experienced life insurance lawyer serving Washington at Boonswang Law will advocate for you to get the payout your loved one intended you receive.
Boonswang Law has represented life insurance beneficiary clients throughout Washington State, including these cities and the surrounding areas:
- Seattle
- Spokane
- Tacoma
- Vancouver
- Bellevue
- Kent
- Everett
- Renton
- Federal Way
- Yakima
- Kirkland
- Bellingham
- Kennewick
- Auburn
- Pasco
Schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with a Washington State life insurance lawyer to discuss your case
Typical Reasons for Life Insurance Claim Denials in Washington State
Understanding life insurance seems straightforward: an individual purchase a policy, pays regular premiums, and in the event of their death within the policy term, the beneficiaries receive a death benefit.
However, it’s important to remember that life insurance companies profit by collecting premiums and minimizing payouts. To achieve this, they might employ various strategies to deny life insurance claims. Here are some common tactics:
Misinterpretation of Policy Terms and Conditions
Sometimes, life insurance companies might purposely misinterpret policy details to deny a life insurance claim. If you believe this to be the case, it’s crucial to engage a seasoned WA life insurance attorney to represent your interests.
At Boonswang Law, our life insurance attorneys have a track record of securing payouts for beneficiaries initially denied due to this reason.
Get in Touch With the Washington State Life Insurance Lawyers at Boonswang Law to Discuss Your Case
Dealing with the loss of a loved one is difficult enough without having to tackle life insurance complexities. Let us handle the dealings with the insurance company. Boonswang Law is here to support you.
Reach out to us today at (855) 865-4335 to schedule your free consultation.
Policy Lapse due to Missed Payments
Policyholders need to make regular premium payments to keep their life insurance coverage active. If they fail to do so, it could result in a lapse of coverage, subsequently leading to claim denials. However, not all missed payments or lapses automatically nullify a beneficiary’s eligibility for death benefits.
The regulations governing life insurance lapses and termination are stringent. If an oversight on the part of the life insurance company or the employer managing the policy led to missed payments, the fault might not lie with the policyholder. In such cases, we’ve often been able to secure payouts for our beneficiary clients.
Claims of Suicide
Life insurance policies typically include a list of causes of death that are not covered, known as “exclusions.” Death due to self-inflicted injuries is usually excluded from coverage. Yet, we have noticed instances where life insurance companies wrongly classify a death as suicide.
In such situations, we undertake a thorough investigation into the cause of death. If we can demonstrate that the death was not self-inflicted, we’ve been successful in obtaining payouts for our beneficiary clients.
Alleged Misrepresentation by the Policyholder
Policyholders are expected to provide accurate personal information, including health status and lifestyle habits, on their initial life insurance application and medical questionnaire. Life insurance adjusters rely on this information to calculate premium payments based on the risk of the policyholder’s death within the policy term.
However, even minor, unintentional errors can provide life insurance companies with grounds to allege material misrepresentation. In these cases, they may cancel the policy retrospectively and deny the beneficiaries’ claims. Boonswang Law has extensive experience handling such cases and can assist if your claim has been denied for this reason.
Insurance Scams & Bad Faith: Key Warning Signs in Washington State
Navigating the complex world of life insurance can be daunting. It is, unfortunately, an industry that is not immune to fraudulent practices. As experienced life insurance lawyers serving Washington State at Boonswang Law, we aim to empower you with knowledge on insurance scams and bad faith practices to stay vigilant and protected.
The Pitfalls of Indexed Universal Life Insurance
Indexed Universal Life Insurance is a type of permanent life insurance that ties its cash value component to a stock market index. While this product can seem appealing due to its potential for high returns, it is important to be aware of the potential downsides.
The complex structure and high fees, as well as the insurance company’s discretion over credit rates, can negatively impact policyholders. We recommend seeking expert advice from a life insurance attorney before investing in these policies.
Recognizing Churning Scams
Churning scams are a deceitful practice where insurance agents convince policyholders to switch from one policy to another for the agent’s personal gain – often through commissions.
This unethical practice can lead to unnecessary costs and potentially less effective coverage for policyholders. If you suspect that you’ve been a victim of a churning scam, our experienced team can assist you in seeking justice.
Addressing Insurance Bad Faith
Bad faith in insurance refers to instances where insurance companies fail to uphold their obligation to policyholders. This can manifest in several ways, such as unjustified claim denials, delays in claim processing, or failure to communicate with policyholders.
If you’re dealing with an insurance company’s refusal to pay out a legitimate claim, contact Boonswang Law. We specialize in holding insurance companies accountable and ensuring that policyholders in Washington receive their rightful benefits.
The Advantage of Collaborating with Washington State Life Insurance Lawyers at Boonswang Law
If you’re new to navigating legal scenarios and haven’t previously worked with a life insurance lawyer, you might be unsure of what to anticipate. Partnering with a life insurance lawyer offers several advantages over managing your life insurance claim independently. Here’s what you can expect when you collaborate with us:
- Analyzing the relevant policy and providing a clear explanation of coverage and exclusions
- Examining denial letters and any additional paperwork you’ve received from the life insurance company
- Conducting a comprehensive investigation into any assertions made by the life insurance company aiming to deny your claim
- Negotiating on your behalf with the life insurance company’s team of lawyers
- If required, representing your claim in court proceedings
At Boonswang Law, we’re committed to providing you with comprehensive legal support, easing your stress, and helping you secure the payout you’re rightfully entitled to.
Washington State Life Insurance FAQs
What is the Time Limit to Challenge a Life Insurance Claim Denial?
If the policy is a group life insurance acquired through employment, you have sixty days to dispute a claim denial. Otherwise, it’s wise to start the process of disputing your claim denial promptly after receiving the denial letter. This allows the best opportunity to secure and preserve crucial evidence supporting your life insurance claim.
It’s highly recommended to employ a life insurance lawyer for your dispute to ensure every step is correctly handled.
Who is Authorized to Alter the Beneficiary on a Life Insurance Policy in WA?
The privilege to change the beneficiary on a life insurance policy lies solely with the policyholder. In some scenarios, if a person has been granted power of attorney over the policyholder, they might make amendments to the policy.
It’s important to note that changes to a life insurance policy cannot be made following the policyholder’s death.
What Occurs if the Beneficiary of a Life Insurance Policy Dies Before the Policyholder?
If the principal beneficiary dies before the policyholder and there isn’t a designated secondary or contingent beneficiary, the benefits will likely be paid out to the policyholder’s estate.
What Takes Place When a Minor is Listed as the Beneficiary on a Life Insurance Policy?
In cases where the beneficiary is still underage at the time of the policyholder’s death, a custodian is typically appointed by the courts to manage the minor’s death benefits.
However, there’s no mechanism to prevent the custodian from using the minor’s payout for personal use. For this reason, it’s advised that a trust is set up for the minor with a designated trustee.
We recommend engaging an estate planning attorney to guide you through the complexities of setting up a trust.
How Can I Determine if My Loved One Had a Life Insurance Policy?
There’s no straightforward answer to this question since a comprehensive national database of life insurance policyholders doesn’t exist.
However, if you suspect your loved one had a life insurance policy, you can contact their employer to inquire about group life insurance coverage. You can also sift through their paperwork for life insurance documents or scrutinize bank statements for any indication of insurance premium payments.
Is it Possible to Share Death Benefits with My Siblings if I am the Sole Named Beneficiary?
Absolutely! While you cannot add your siblings to the policy posthumously, there’s nothing preventing you from distributing the benefits amongst your siblings after you receive the payout.
Can Death Benefits be Contested if the Beneficiary Designation was Changed Suddenly?
Policyholders can modify beneficiaries while they’re alive, provided they are mentally competent and not under undue influence.
Irrevocable beneficiaries, typically spouses and children, are exceptions. These beneficiaries have to consent to any changes affecting their benefits. If you have been removed as an irrevocable beneficiary from a policy, you may have grounds to dispute this.
Can I Obtain Death Benefits if the Life Insurance Policy Has Expired?
Life insurance policies usually have a grace period for missed premium payments, so there’s a chance you could still receive death benefits. In instances where the policy lapse was not the policyholder’s fault, beneficiaries can often still receive the payout.
Can the Beneficiary on a Life Insurance Policy Be Modified After The Policy Holder's Passing?
Definitely not. Typically, only the policyholder can make alterations to the policy. If you’re presented with documents suggesting a posthumous beneficiary change, it’s likely fraudulent.
Can a Spouse Contest a Life Insurance Beneficiary Designation?
There are circumstances when this might be possible. With a divorced or remarried policyholder, it can be unclear who is entitled to what. A WA life insurance lawyer can help clarify your rights as the current or former spouse of the policyholder.
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