Tag: Life insurance

preference beneficiary clause

Preference Beneficiary Clause: Understanding Life Insurance

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You may have heard the saying that life insurance is for the living; however, if beneficiaries are not set up correctly, that could prove futile. Many of us would rather not think about having to buy any type of insurance, and especially when it forces us to examine our mortality further, along with what can sometimes be a challenging chore in dividing up assets. Life insurance can be an excellent investment tool though, allowing you to help your kids and other family members later. They may have college tuition to pay for, along with other necessary expenses. Your surviving spouse may need help getting by without your income after you die. Debt and taxes often need to be paid off—and the burden of the funeral and burial expenses should be taken care of too.

Once life insurance is in the process of being paid out by the insurer you chose, you won’t be around to doublecheck, which is why it is critical to make sure all the details are correct when it comes to your beneficiaries. If one or more is not specifically chosen, a clause such as the preference beneficiary clause will take over, giving preference to a list of provided names on the policy. In most cases, naming your beneficiary should be a simple task—along providing a contingent beneficiary who only receives funds if the primary beneficiary is no longer alive at the time that the life insurance claim is filed.

Insurance companies are expected to act in good faith when paying a life insurance claim, but in some cases, there may be challenges for beneficiaries when it comes to receiving their money. Because life insurance often involves large amounts of money, an insurer acting in bad faith may do everything possible to see the policy rescinded—especially if they can prove details on the application were erroneous or fraudulent, or if premiums had lapsed for one or more payments. Other signs of bad faith include lack of investigation or no processing of the life-insurance claim, long delays with no real explanation, low-ball offers, and complete denials of claims.

If you need help reviewing your life insurance policy, or if you suspect your insurance company may be denying your claim in bad faith, contact the attorneys at the Bolender Law Firm.  If a dispute over a claim cannot be easily resolved through a call or written communication, our attorneys will advocate on behalf of policyholders through litigation, arbitration, or non-binding mediation. Our attorneys are experienced in representing clients in state and federal courts, at both the trial and appellate level. Call us at 310-320-0725 now or submit an easy consultation request online. We are here to help!

life insurance claim

Five Reasons Your Life Insurance Claim May Be Denied

Posted by rainmakereditor on with 0 Comment

Unless you work within the insurance industry, you probably find purchasing insurance to be somewhat of an odious task–not to mention figuring out a life insurance claim. Most of us are forced to own more than one type of policy, whether it is required by law or for our own peace of mind in knowing that if something happens, we are covered. Life insurance is a bit different though. In most cases, you do not have to own any if you don’t want to, and even if you lack direct descendants, leaving behind life insurance helps with funeral and burial costs, any outlying debts, and more.

No one enjoys thinking about their own mortality, and life insurance certainly brings the topic to the forefront. It may be an important part of your estate after death though, not only covering your final expenses but also leaving behind an inheritance for those who succeed you in death and may also rely on you for income. Unfortunately, collecting on life insurance may be a hassle for your beneficiaries later. Your surviving spouse or children may have been relying on it to survive after you are gone, but in some cases, it could be denied because of reasons like the following:

  1. Coverage was not what you expected or was not put in place as you expected—and this is another good reason why you should review all your insurance policies at least once a year.
  2. Information on your original application was not completely truthful—often this is just due to the applicant guessing about something or perhaps being forgetful, but if the insurance company can find a reason to deny your claim, they will. The application most likely will be scoured for any inaccuracies, so be certain to take your time and be sure about what you are telling the insurance company; for example, a pre-existing issue that was not disclosed could cause denial of a claim.
  3. Premiums were not paid. Keeping up with insurance payments can be challenging, but your policy could lapse even if you miss one premium.
  4. Suicide—historically, this is usually a reason for life insurance claims to be denied; these days, the rule is normally that a claim regarding suicide would be denied if the policy was less than two years old.
  5. Lack of beneficiaries listed on the life insurance policy—obviously this is critical to dispensing life insurance funds and reinforces the reason to review your policy every year.

If you need help reviewing your insurance policy, or if you suspect your insurance company may be denying your claim in bad faith, contact the attorneys at the Bolender Law Firm.  If a dispute over a claim cannot be easily resolved through a call or written communication, our attorneys will advocate on behalf of policyholders through litigation, arbitration, or non-binding mediation. Our attorneys are experienced in representing clients in state and federal courts, at both the trial and appellate level. Call us at 310-320-0725 now or submit an easy consultation request online. We are here to help!