What should you do if your life insurance claim has been denied?
The attorneys at Life Insurance Law work to recover full compensation for life insurance beneficiaries in Colorado. If your life insurance claim has been denied or delayed, contact us today for a free case evaluation.
Our life insurance lawyers live and work in Colorado. You can expect the following from your Colorado life insurance lawyer:
- A free case evaluation where we go over the facts of your claim in detail.
- Explanation of all legal terms and documents.
- An attorney who will contact your provider to get a delayed claim paid fast.
- Full disclosure on court costs and attorney fees before you agree to retain counsel.
Many claims will be denied by providers based on material misrepresentation. This means that the policyholder provided false information, such as age or health history, that makes the policy invalid. In these cases, a Colorado life insurance lawyer can help you appeal the decision and may still be able to recover the full amount of your claim.
How do state insurance laws in Colorado protect you?
The U.S. Constitution gives the federal government the power to regulate interstate commerce. In the case of life insurance policies, the federal government has largely allowed the states to take the duties of regulating the insurance industries and of providing consumer protection.
The state of Colorado has life insurance laws to help protect consumers. Here is a summary of some of these Colorado life insurance laws. Of course, you should definitely contact us to discuss your case specifically and see how state laws impact your particular situation.
Title 10 of the Colorado Revised Statutes is the primary regulating force behind the insurance industry within the state of Colorado, but other legal provisions have also been adopted as consumer protection laws. The Colorado Division of Insurance (part of the Department of Regulatory Agencies) provides oversight for the insurance business in the state.
The most important rules that may apply in your case are:
- No legally mandated “free look” period. Most Colorado insurance companies will give customers a reasonable period — anywhere from seven to 30 days — to change their minds after obtaining life insurance. Check with your insurance provider or examine your policy for the option your insurer offers. If you cancel within this “free look” period, you are entitled to receive a full refund of any premiums you have paid. It’s important to remember that, even though insurance companies are not required by state law to offer this option, those companies which do offer a trial period must apply it fairly and consistently to all similar customers.
- One month payment grace period. This ensures that a Colorado life insurance policy cannot be canceled due to a reasonably late payment. The policyholder has one month to make the payment, during which time the provider cannot cancel the policy or deny coverage.
- Timely payment on claims, with interest. Colorado laws do not specify a time limit for insurance companies to settle claims. However, the company is required to add interest payments to the total benefit, beginning from the date of death. Payments are typically made within a month. After 30 days have passed, the interest rate increases.
- Your benefits are guaranteed even if the insurer goes out of business. Life insurance policies that are current are backed by the Colorado Life and Health Insurance Protection Association. You must be up-to-date on paying your premiums, and the insurer must be properly licensed to operate in Colorado. In the event that your life insurance company becomes insolvent, we can work with the Guaranty Association to compensate your policy. This guarantee is limited to $300,000 maximum for lost death benefits, even if the deceased person was insured for a larger amount or covered under multiple policies.
Why you should work with us
The attorneys at Life Insurance Law work with clients across the country to recover denied and delayed life insurance claims. Whether we agree on a settlement or take your case to court, our attorneys will fight for your best interests every step of the way.
If your insurance claim has been denied or delayed, call our offices today to get advice from a Colorado life insurance attorney.