NYC Life Insurance Claims Lawyers
Life insurance is a valuable tool for protecting the financial security of surviving loved ones. When someone in New York passes away, their family and friends face a litany of challenges and tasks on top of navigating their grief. Among the many issues that often arise during this time are complications involving the deceased person’s life insurance policy. Beneficiaries of life insurance policies may experience claim denials, delays, and disputes, making an already difficult process even more challenging.
Full Legal Support for Life Insurance Claims Across New York State
Mark E. Seitelman Law Offices has extensive experience helping beneficiaries understand their rights and secure the benefits they are entitled to. Our life insurance claims lawyers have over 30 years of experience guiding New Yorkers through this overwhelming and confusing process. We are dedicated to supporting our clients when their claims have been denied or disputed, and our free case evaluations provide beneficiaries an opportunity to explore their legal options.
Types of Life Insurance Cases
Insurance companies may delay or deny claims for various reasons, and not every issue is legitimate or valid. Our lawyers have handled New York life insurance claim cases involving a range of issues, including:
- Claim denials: An insurance company may use various arguments to deny a claim, such as misrepresentation on the insurance application, lapse in policy coverage, or non-disclosure of necessary information.
- Delayed payouts: Even valid and approved claims can face challenges from life insurance companies. Additional documentation or verification may be required, leading to delays in the delivery of the insurance benefit. Many families face financial hardship due to these delays.
- Disputed claims: Some life insurance claims in New York involve multiple beneficiaries or other parties who claim entitlement to the benefits. An experienced life insurance claims lawyer can help resolve disputes and protect your rights.
- Undue influence claims: If changes were made to the policy before death, questions about the validity of those changes might arise. Undue influence may be a factor if someone pressured the deceased to add or remove beneficiaries.
New York Life Insurance Laws
Life insurance laws in New York consist of state regulations, statutes, and case law. If you are facing life insurance claim denials or delays, it’s crucial to work with someone who understands the nuances of these laws. The attorneys at Mark E. Seitelman Law Offices have decades of experience helping clients secure the benefits they are entitled to.
We assist in various aspects of life insurance claims, including:
- Interpreting the policy to ensure you understand your obligations and rights
- Defending against denials during the contestability period
- Ensuring the life insurance company complies with all guidelines and legal requirements
Reasons for Life Insurance Claim Denials
Common reasons for claim denials include:
- Contestable period: Most policies in New York have a contestable period, during which insurers may deny benefits for misrepresentations. New York law mandates that policies become incontestable after two years.
- Material misrepresentation: Insurers may deny claims if they believe the policyholder misrepresented information on the application.
- Lapse in policy: Failing to pay premiums on time could cause the policy to lapse, resulting in claim denials.
- Policy exclusions: Some policies have exclusions for specific scenarios, such as suicide or certain hazardous activities.
Factors Behind Delayed Life Insurance Claims
Delays can prevent beneficiaries from receiving rightful benefits promptly, complicating matters like funeral expenses or monthly living costs. Delays may result from missing documentation, beneficiary disputes, or medical record reviews.
Undue Influence and Lack of Mental Capacity in Life Insurance Disputes
Disputes may arise if a loved one believes the deceased lacked mental capacity or was under undue influence when creating or changing the policy. Contracts involving mentally incapacitated individuals are voidable, and undue influence can also render a contract void.
How Our Legal Team Can Assist You
Mark E. Seitelman Law Offices provides skilled legal representation to New Yorkers facing life insurance claims issues. We offer free case evaluations to help you make informed decisions. Contact our New York life insurance attorneys today.