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 the District of Columbia. If your life insurance claim has been denied or delayed, contact us today for a free case evaluation.
Here is what you can expect from our life insurance lawyers:
- 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 the District of Columbia 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 insurance laws in the District of Columbia?
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. The District of Columbia is a special case, of course, because it is not part of any state. Here, local civil government operates with the permission of the federal government, but federal law can always override any District regulation.
The District of Columbia has life insurance laws to help protect consumers. Here is a summary of some of these the District of Columbia life insurance laws. Of course, you should definitely contact us to discuss your case specifically and see how laws in the Federal District impact your particular situation.
Title 31 of the District of Columbia code is the primary regulating force behind the insurance industry within Washington, DC, but other legal provisions have also been adopted as consumer protection laws. The Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking provides oversight for the industry within the District of Columbia.
The most important rules that may apply in your case are:
- The “free look” period. Any District of Columbia resident buying a life insurance policy has at least 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 Washington, DC, 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 District of Columbia insurance provider is required to pay the amount to the beneficiary promptly. There is no overall standard for what makes up a timely payment, and each insurance company should describe its claims process in detail within the text of the policy. Payments are typically 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 District of Columbia Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association. The insurer must be properly licensed to operate in Connecticut. 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 Washington DC life insurance attorney.