Charlotte Life Insurance Lawyer

What Types Of Life Insurance Policies Exist, And What Benefits May Be Available?

The two most common types are term life insurance, which provides coverage for a defined period of time, and permanent life insurance, which includes whole life and universal life policies and provides lifelong coverage. Permanent policies may also carry a cash value component that builds over time. Both employer-sponsored group policies and individually purchased personal policies can give rise to disputes. 

Available benefits can include a standard death benefit paid to named beneficiaries, accelerated death benefits for terminal illness, and accidental death and dismemberment coverage. Regardless of the type of life insurance policy you have, our Charlotte attorneys will help you pursue every benefit you are owed.

What Are Policy Exclusions, And How Can They Be Used Against My Claim?

Policy exclusions are specific circumstances under which an insurer is not obligated to pay a benefit. Sometimes they are based on, how a person died, but, an insurer may deny a claim based on:

• A lapse in coverage due to missed premium payments
• Allegations that the policy was obtained through fraud or misrepresentation of information, such as age, income, or lifestyle habits
• A contestability period provision that allows the company to investigate and deny claims made within the first one to two years of the policy
• Beneficiary disputes and geographic exclusions, which void coverage if the insured was living or traveling in an excluded country

Insurers do not always apply these exclusions correctly or fairly. We will review the specific language of your policy and challenge any exclusion that is being used in a way that is overbroad, inaccurate, or unsupported by the facts.

What Is A Cause Of Death Exclusion, And Can It Be Disputed?

A cause of death exclusion is a specific type of policy exclusion that limits or eliminates benefits when death results from a particular cause identified in the policy. Common examples include deaths related to hazardous hobbies, deaths occurring during the commission of a crime, and, in some policies, suicide within a defined period after the policy is issued. 

When these exclusions are invoked, insurers may scrutinize medical records, toxicology reports, and death certificates to build their case. The facts surrounding a death are not always clear-cut, and insurers do not always get them right. We will work with you to present a full and accurate account of the circumstances and push back against any exclusion that is being applied without a sufficient factual or legal basis.

When Can An Insurer Rescind A Life Insurance Policy?

Rescission is one of the most serious actions an insurer can take. It means the company is voiding the policy entirely, treating it as though it never existed. Insurers typically pursue rescission when they believe the policyholder made a material misrepresentation on the original application, such as failing to disclose a known medical condition. If rescission is upheld, no death benefit is paid, and premiums are typically returned. However, insurers do not always have the legal grounds to rescind a policy. We will examine whether the alleged misrepresentation was truly material, whether the insurer acted within the required timeframe, and whether the rescission was carried out properly under applicable law.

Why Is My Insurer Denying Or Delaying My Claim?

Insurance companies have a financial interest in limiting what they pay out. Denials and delays can stem from many sources, including disputes over the cause of death, allegations of misrepresentation, arguments over policy exclusions, or questions about whether the policy was active at the time of death. 

For whatever reason your insurer has put forward, you have the right to challenge it. We handle life insurance disputes at every level, from the initial appeal through litigation in court, so you will have experienced, committed representation no matter where your case goes.