Facing Denied Insurance Claims?

Life insurance is more than a policy; it’s a promise. A promise that your loved ones will be protected when you're no longer here to provide for them. For many families, it’s the final financial act of love: to ensure that a mortgage is paid, children can stay in school, or a spouse won’t be left in financial ruin after losing a partner. 

But far too often, that promise is broken when life insurance claims are delayed, disputed, or denied. These denials don’t just add insult to injury - they can leave grieving families struggling financially, emotionally, and mentally at a time when they’re already overwhelmed with loss. 

At DL Law Group, we understand the heartache behind every life insurance dispute. With over 80 years of combined experience, our San Francisco-based attorneys have handled some of the most complex and emotionally sensitive life insurance cases in California and throughout the United States. We treat each case with the care it deserves, because behind every claim is a grieving spouse, child, or parent who wants what their loved one paid for. 

Your Lifeline When Life Insurance Claims Are Delayed or Denied 

Insurance companies market life insurance as a compassionate safety net, but when the time comes to pay out, many look for reasons not to. Common reasons insurers give for denying or delaying life insurance benefits include: 

• Alleged policy lapse: Claiming premiums weren’t paid, even when the insured had no notice or missed a single payment during illness or hardship. 
• Misrepresentation: Accusing the deceased of lying on the application, even for minor or unrelated omissions. 
• Retroactive cancellation: Attempting to rescind the policy after death, often based on information they claim should have been disclosed. 
• Suicide exclusions: Invoking suicide clauses, even when the cause of death is ambiguous or under investigation. 
• Contestability disputes: Claiming that the policy is still within the contestability period, often based on creative interpretations of timelines. 
• Beneficiary disputes: Delays due to alleged competing beneficiaries or questions about whether the named beneficiary is legally entitled. 
• Foreign death complications: If the insured died abroad, insurers often demand excessive documentation or question the legitimacy of death certificates. 

These denials are often legally challengeable, but many beneficiaries don’t know their rights or are too emotionally exhausted to take on a powerful insurer. That’s where we come in. 

The Human Cost of Denied Claims 

The denial of life insurance isn’t just a financial setback, it’s a profound emotional betrayal. Many of our clients come to us after: 

• Spending months fighting the insurance company alone while also planning funerals and caring for grieving family members. 
• Draining savings or going into debt because the expected life insurance payment never arrived. 
• Being told by insurers that they don’t have a valid claim, even when they are listed as the rightful beneficiary. 
• Being caught in limbo and waiting for weeks or months with no updates or a clear explanation. 

At DL Law Group, we take the burden off your shoulders. You focus on your family and healing, and we focus on getting results. 

Understanding the Incontestability Clause 

One of the most misunderstood protections in California life insurance law is the incontestability clause. By law, after a life insurance policy has been in force for two years, the insurer cannot cancel or rescind it based on application misstatements, unless it can prove intentional fraud. 

This clause exists to protect families from retroactive denials, yet many insurers ignore or misapply it. If you were told that your loved one’s claim is denied because of something they “didn’t disclose,” don’t take the insurer’s word for it. These cases are highly fact-specific, and DL Law Group has successfully challenged many such denials, restoring benefits to rightful beneficiaries. 

What You May Not Know About Life Insurance Denials 

Life insurance policies are intentionally written in complex, technical language. Insurers rely on this complexity and the emotional state of grieving families to avoid paying out. Here are some hidden pitfalls most people don’t know: 

• You may have multiple policies that your loved one purchased without your knowledge. Some may be through work or professional associations. 
• Group life insurance through employers (ERISA plans) has different rules and fewer legal remedies than private policies. 
• Some insurers automatically rescind policies if a death occurs during the two-year contestability period, even without clear proof of wrongdoing. 
• Delays are a denial tactic. If your claim is dragging on for weeks or months with no progress, it may be a sign the insurer is hoping you’ll give up. 
• Claim documentation must be carefully completed; one incorrect form or missing document can lead to denial or an indefinite delay. 

This is why early legal support is critical. The sooner you involve us, the stronger your position will be. 

Standing By Your Side During Your Most Difficult Moments 

We understand that contacting a lawyer about a life insurance denial is not just a legal step, it’s an emotional one. You’re not just protecting your financial future, but you’re honoring the wishes and legacy of someone you loved. 

At DL Law Group, we bring more than just legal skill, we bring empathy. We listen, we explain your options clearly, and we take swift action to secure the benefits your family is entitled to. 

No Fees Unless We Win 

We handle life insurance cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay anything unless we win your case. Our firm is conveniently located in San Francisco, serving clients across California. 

Contact us today at 415-678-5050 or complete our online form to schedule a complimentary consultation. We will take the time to understand your situation, review your claim, and explain your rights and options. There is no time limit on grief, but there are deadlines in life insurance claims. Don’t wait to get the help you deserve.