What to do when your life insurance claim is denied.
The attorneys at Life Insurance Law work to recover full compensation for life insurance beneficiaries in Maine. If your life insurance claim has been denied or delayed, contact us today for a free case evaluation.
You can expect the following from a life insurance lawyer in Maine:
- 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 life insurance 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 Maine life insurance lawyer can help you appeal the decision and may still be able to recover the full amount of your claim.
How am I protected by state insurance laws in Maine?
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 Maine has life insurance laws to help protect consumers. Here is a summary of some of these Maine life insurance laws, call us to discuss how state laws impact your particular situation.
Title 24 of the Maine Revised Statutes is the Maine Insurance Code, the primary regulating force behind the insurance industry in the state. The Bureau of Insurance is responsible for oversight of the insurance industry in Maine. Overall, Maine has enacted fewer consumer protections than many other states. The most important rules that may apply in your case are:
- 30-Day Payment grace period. This ensures that a Maine life insurance policy cannot be canceled due to a reasonably late payment. The policyholder has 30 days to make the payment, during which time the provider cannot cancel the policy or deny coverage.
- The “free look” period. Typically, Maine insurance companies give new customers buying a life insurance policy 10, 20, or even 30 days to back out of coverage and receive a full refund of any premiums paid. This period is not required by state law, but should be specified in any insurance policy. If the insurer offers a free-look period, it has to honor that promise.
- Timely payment on claims. When a life insurance claim is filed, a Maine insurance provider is required to pay the amount to the beneficiary with no unreasonable delay. There are no specific regulations on exactly how long this should take, leaving the precise claim procedure to be detailed in each life insurance policy. Payments are commonly made within a month after the provider receives proof of death.
- Your benefits are guaranteed even if the insurer goes out of business. Life insurance policies that are current are backed by the Maine Life & Health Insurance Guaranty Association. Your insurer must be properly licensed to operate in Maine for this rule to apply. 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 and $100,000 maximum for lost cash surrender.
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 Maine life insurance attorney.