Life insurance company statistics reveal that 80% of all life insurance policies issued are never paid. The main reasons include the owner's failure to pay premiums and issuance of term life policies which end without a death payment. Another reason is that beneficiaries never claim the death benefits because of forgotten or lost life insurance policies.
Life insurance policyholders buy life insurance to provide financial protection to loved ones in the event of their death. Unfortunately, some policyholders never inform their loved ones or beneficiaries of the life insurance policies existence. This seems to occur because policyholders do not want to cause arguments between loved ones over beneficiary rights. Other times, the policyholder dies and even though someone may have known of a life insurance policy's existence, no one seems to know where the policy is located or which insurance company issued it. In addition, life insurance companies will usually not know if the policyholder died and therefore will not contact the policies beneficiaries to voluntarily tender the policy's death benefits. Because of this, millions of dollars in life insurance proceeds go unclaimed every year.
If you believe that you may be the beneficiary of a lost or forgotten life insurance policy, there are steps you can take to attempt to locate the policy. Doing it on your own will be extremely difficult since over the last few decades, there have been thousands of life insurance companies. In addition, many of these companies have either merged, demutualized, changed names or gone into receivership. When attempting to locate a lost life insurance policy, some old fashion investigative work might come in handy. You can try contacting the policyholder's past attorneys, accountants, insurance agents, or other trusted professionals throughout the last few decades to see if they have any knowledge of the existence of any life insurance policies. You can also look through cancelled checks to look for any insurance premium payments that might relate to a life insurance policy. Try doing the same for old credit card statements in the event policy premiums were paid via credit card. Try contacting old employers to see if the policyholder owned any group life insurance policies.
You can also hire a policy finder service that will make limited efforts in locating a missing policy for you. You can also hire a more expensive and personalized service which owns proprietary databases to locate missing policies. Missing life insurance policy services can be easily found on the internet.
Sometimes, the life insurance company discovers that the policyholder has indeed passed. When this occurs, the insurer will attempt to locate the policy's beneficiaries. If the insurer is unsuccessful, the life insurance policy is turned over to the state where it becomes unclaimed property. States maintain databases listing the names and addresses of beneficiaries of lost life insurance policies. In Florida, you can go here to check if you are the beneficiary to an unclaimed life insurance policy. As of the date of this blog, the Florida Bureau of Unclaimed Property holds unclaimed property valued at more than $1 billion.
On a national level, you can go to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators or MissingMoney.com and conduct a search for missing money, including life insurance policies.
Whichever search option you choose could prove the difference between not collecting anything, to possibly collecting the full death benefits, or the policy's cash value or even stock from a demutualized insurer.The Law Firm of J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo, P.A. helps insurance policyholders recover what they are due on their insurance claims, zealously advocates on behalf of victims of catastrophic personal injuries or wrongful death and fights for the rights of consumers and small businesses in Miami and throughout Miami-Dade County, Florida. If you would like a Free Consultation and Case Evaluation, please fill out the Quick Contact Form to the right or click here and a member of our firm will contact you promptly. You may also contact us directly at (305) 461-1095 or Toll Free at 1-(866)-71-CLAIM.
About The Firm
J.P. has been certified as a life member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. The Million Dollar Advocates Forum is recognized as one of the most prestigious groups of trial lawyers in the United States. Membership is limited to attorneys who have won million and multi-million dollar verdicts, awards, and settlements. Fewer than 1% of U.S. lawyers are members. J.P. has also been awarded the top rating of 10.0/10.0 or "Superb" by Avvo. Avvo's Rating system helps people navigate the complex and confusing legal industry, including choosing the right lawyer - an incredibly important decision. The Avvo Rating system takes into consideration a lawyer's background, including years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition.
In addition, the firm maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. The firm is highly respected by other lawyers and members of our community and maintains offices in the historic Douglas Entrance complex in Coral Gables, Florida. Please click here for further information regarding office location and directions.
Prior to attending law school, J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo worked as a claims adjuster for a busy independent adjusting firm in Miami where he handled hundreds of claims. Before founding the law offices of J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo, P.A., Mr. Gonzalez-Sirgo worked for a prominent insurance defense firm in Miami. He now uses the insight that he gained working for the insurance industry for the benefit of his clients.
Attorney J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo has built his entire career on protecting the rights of insurance policyholders, personal injury and wrongful death victims and fighting for the rights of Florida consumers and small businesses. The firm has recovered millions of dollars for victims of denied or underpaid insurance claims, victims of catastrophic personal injuries and wrongful death and on behalf of those that have been taken advantage of by Big Business and Big Insurance.
Active Legal Memberships
The Florida Bar
Community & Charitable Involvement
The Law Firm of J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo, P.A believes that representation of our clients does not stop in the courtroom. We believe in giving back to our community by participating in local charitable events. The firm participates or donates to various local charitable and research organizations. Of special importance to the firm are those organizations that support many of the illnesses, syndromes, diseases, disabilities and aliments that afflict so many of our past and current clients. In addition, J.P. is proud to be a volunteer for Lawyers for Children America (LFCA). As a pro-bono LFCA volunteer lawyer, an opportunity exists to protect the rights of children who are victims of abuse, abandonment and neglect by providing free legal representation and collaborating for systematic change to improve the lives of children.
Free Case Evaluation & Consultation
If you would like a Free Consultation and Case Evaluation, please fill out the Quick Contact Form to the right or click here and a member of our firm will contact you promptly. You may also contact us directly at (305) 461-1095 or Toll Free at 1-(866)-71-CLAIM.
There is never a charge to speak with an attorney at our firm. Unlike other law firms, we are available to come to you at your hospital bed side, home, office or other location throughout the entire State of Florida.
You Pay Zero Attorneys' Fees If No Recovery
We understand that many of our clients do not have the resources or means to pay lawyer fees out of pocket. This is why we offer a free consultation and case evaluation. In the great majority of cases, if we decide to go forward with your case, we will work on a contingency fee basis. This means that if there is no recovery on your claim, you do not pay fees for our services.
If you would like a Free Consultation and Case Evaluation, please fill out the Quick Contact Form to the right or click here and a member of our firm will contact you promptly. You may also contact us directly at (305) 461-1095 or Toll Free at 1-(866)-71-CLAIM.
Se Habla Espanol
For our Spanish speaking clients, please click here for Espanol.
A Message To Insurance Policyholders In Florida
There are numerous challenges facing policyholders attempting to have their life insurance and disability insurance claims timely honored by insurance companies: The delays in investigation of claims, the endless request for documents, requests for sworn statements or examinations under oath, requests for recorded statements, fraud accusations, application issues, material misrepresentation issues, requests for medical evaluations, bad faith insurance issues, and litigation.
In the great majority of cases we will be able to help you with these challenges. Attorney J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo helps disability and life insurance policyholders recover what they are due on their insurance claims. If you would like a Free Consultation and Case Evaluation, please fill out the Quick Contact Form to the right or click here and a member of our firm will contact you promptly. You may also contact us directly at (305) 461-1095 or Toll Free at 1-(866)-71-CLAIM.
A Message To The Victims of Catastrophic Personal Injuries or Wrongful Death
There are numerous challenges facing victims of catastrophic injuries and wrongful death in their pursuit to obtain a full measure of justice from those doing wrong.
The good news is that in the great majority of cases we will be able to help you with these challenges. Miami Personal Injury Lawyer J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo zealously advocates on behalf of victims of catastrophic personal injuries or wrongful death. If you would like a Free Consultation and Case Evaluation, please fill out the Quick Contact Form to the right or click here and a member of our firm will contact you promptly. You may also contact us directly at (305) 461-1095 or Toll Free at 1-(866)-71-CLAIM.
A Message To Our Referring Public Adjusters
We understand and appreciate the value a Pubic Adjuster brings to a property insurance claim. For years, we have worked side-by-side with Public Insurance Adjusters and their respective clients in helping to resolve any claim issues through our legal representation.
Public Adjusters recognize that sometimes a client's difficult insurance claim requires the need for aggressive legal representation. Experienced public adjusters recognize all of the obstacles presented by an insurer during a challenging claim. The Law Firm of J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo, P.A. routinely works with clients that have retained the services of a Public Adjuster. We prefer to work together as a team consistent with the best interests of the client's claim. During the claim's process, we seek to keep all members of the team in the loop and engage your advice and services whenever necessary. All efforts put forth by our law firm and your adjusting firm will always be in the best interest of our mutual client.
We also work with corporate counsel and corporate risk managers to resolve any insurance claim disputes.
If you would like a Free Consultation and Case Evaluation, please fill out the Quick Contact Form to the right or click here and a member of our firm will contact you promptly. You may also contact us directly at (305) 461-1095 or Toll Free at 1-(866)-71-CLAIM.
A Message To Our Referral Attorneys
For years, the Law Firm of J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo, P.A. has been welcoming attorney referrals from our colleagues. Many of our clients come to us as a result of referrals from other attorneys, including from out of state lawyers and lawyers from other countries, who know of our success in handling insurance claims litigation. We encourage and welcome these co-counsel opportunities and routinely pay referral fees in accordance with the rules regulating the Florida Bar and Florida law. Over the years, we have paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in referral fees to our referring attorneys. We recognize the trust placed in us by our referring attorneys and so we make sure that our referring attorneys are kept in the loop throughout our representation, from the initial intake through the conclusion of the case.
To discuss a case with us, please call (305)-461-1095 or Toll Free 1-(866)-71-CLAIM. Alternatively, you may click here and fill out our "Contact Us" form and an attorney at the firm will contact you promptly.
Serving Miami-Dade County, Florida & Our Local Communities
J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo, P.A. provides experienced legal representation for individuals and businesses throughout Florida and Miami Dade County, including Aventura, Bal Harbour, Carol City, Coral Gables, Doral, Florida City, Golden Beach, Hialeah, Hialeah Gardens, Homestead, Kendall, Key Biscayne, Medley, Miami, Miami Beach, Miami Lakes, Miami Gardens, Miami Shores, Miami Springs, North Bay, North Miami, Opa Locka, Pinecrest, South Miami, Sunny Isles Beach, Surfside, Sweetwater, Virginia Gardens, West Miami, Westchester, all of the Florida Keys communities, and Broward and Palm Beach Counties. Covering all of South Florida. Attorney J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo is admitted to practice in all of the Federal and State courts in Florida, from the Florida Keys to Florida's Panhandle.
Disclaimer
The use of this Website or use of our "Contact Us" form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship and does not constitute legal advice. Time-sensitive or personal confidential information should not be sent through the "Contact Us" form. You are not forming an official attorney-client relationship with the Law Firm of J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo, P.A. or its attorneys unless and until you have signed a written retainer agreement with this law firm. Submission of the "Contact Us" form does not create a written retainer agreement. If you would like to enter into a written retainer agreement with the Law Firm J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo, P.A., please call (305)-461-1095 or Toll Free at 1-(866)-71-CLAIM.
The accounts of recent trials, verdicts, and settlements contained in this website are intended to illustrate the results of my work ethic and experience. Of course, each case is unique and the results in one case do not necessarily indicate the quality or value of any other case.
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J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo, P.A.
Douglas Entrance
804 Douglas Road
Suite 373
Coral Gables, FL 33134
Phone: (305) 461-1095
Fax: (305) 461-1096
Toll Free: (866) 71-CLAIM
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