While some life insurance companies pay beneficiaries’ claims in a timely manner, many do not. In fact, the practice of delaying life insurance claims is common at some companies. Life insurance companies that delay a claim often do not have a valid reason to deny it - thus, they may be intentionally stalling. In other words, if the company had an authentic reason to deny the claim, they would simply deny it.
If you are a beneficiary of a life insurance policy and your claim has been delayed, it is advisable to consult with an experienced Florida life insurance attorney. Since 1994, Attorney J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo has successfully represented numerous clients in South Florida and throughout the state in a wide variety of life insurance cases, including delayed and denied life insurance claims. A complimentary consultation is available to review your delayed or denied life insurance claim.
Fifteen Reasons Why Life Insurance Companies Delay Claims
Some of the reasons that life insurance companies delay paying death benefits include, but certainly are not limited to the following:
- Life insurance claim forms were not submitted, or not submitted in a timely manner
- Claim forms were incorrectly or improperly answered, partially answered, or incomplete
- Death certificate was not submitted or its authenticity is questioned
- Life insurance company is disputing the cause of death
- Company alleges that the deceased committed suicide
- Company alleges that medical records were not submitted or received despite the fact they have been submitted; additional medical records are repeatedly requested
- The life insurance policy lapsed due to non-payment, late payment or other payment issue
- Insurance company alleges material misstatements, misrepresentations or fraud in the application
- Omissions in the policy application
- Alleged use of alcohol, tobacco or drugs by the deceased although there is no evidence or proof
- When the beneficiary is a minor, the insurance company may create unreasonable and unnecessary delays
- Death occurred during the two year contestability period and the insurance company is conducting further investigations
- Despite a legal beneficiary change during the lifetime of the insured, it is being questioned or investigated by the insurance company
- Insurance company alleges that policyholder failed to update relevant medical or occupational information
- Insurance company questions the beneficiary's relationship to the insured - without valid reason
There are many other reasons why an insurance company may delay a claim.
You can reach Miami Insurance Claims Lawyer J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo by dialing his direct number at (786) 272-5841, calling the main office at (305) 461-1095, or Toll Free at 1 (866) 71-CLAIM or email Attorney Gonzalez-Sirgo directly at [email protected].
