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 Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania. You can expect the following from your Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
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 Pennsylvania has life insurance laws to help protect consumers. Here is a summary of some of these Pennsylvania 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 31 of the Pennsylvania Code is the primary regulating force behind the insurance industry of Pennsylvania, but other legal provisions have also been adopted as consumer protection laws. The most important rules that may apply in your case are:
- The “free look” period. Any Pennsylvanian buying a life insurance policy has 10 days to back out of coverage and receive a full refund of any premiums he has paid.
- 30-day payment grace period. This ensures that a Pennsylvania 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.
- Timely payment on claims. When a life insurance claim is filed, a Pennsylvania insurance provider is required to pay the amount to the beneficiary as soon as possible and with no unreasonable delay. Payments are typically made within a month after the provider receives proof of death.
- Interest penalty for delayed benefits payments. Pennsylvania law requires claims be settled in a timely manner. Procedures will vary among insurers and are often outlined in the specific provisions of your policy. Late settlements will require the insurance company to pay accrued interest on the proceeds.
- Your benefits are guaranteed even if the insurer goes out of business. Life insurance policies that are current are backed by the Life & Health Insurance Guaranty Association of Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania life insurance attorney.