Life insurance companies sometimes get a bad rap. I mean, who loves paying an extra bill each month, even if it’s for a good reason? However, when it comes to making good on their guarantee of financial protection for loved ones, they do almost always make good on their word.
In 2016 alone, a staggering $670 billion dollars in life insurance benefits were paid out to beneficiaries, according to the Insurance Information Institute and fewer than 1% of claims were denied. That should make most breathe a sigh of relief and instill confidence that those monthly premiums are actually going towards the promise of your family’s financial security.
But what about those claims every year that are denied? Rare as they are, they do happen, though the reasons for denial honestly shouldn’t be shocking. So why are some life insurance claims denied after the policyholder’s passing? Let’s find out.
Lying is never a good thing, and this rule is especially true when it comes to applying for life insurance. If you’re a smoker—and yes, that includes vaping—always disclose that from the get-go. The same goes for past illnesses, high-risk activities or employment, past DUIs, a history of mental illness, etc.
Sure. Disclosure of these things may cause your monthly premiums to rise, but that’s immensely better than your death benefit being flat-out denied to your family when they need it most. You might call fibbing about your drug history or love of SCUBA diving a little white lie, but an insurance company will call it fraud. It’s simply not worth saving a few extra bucks a year.
As it’s by far the most popular form of life insurance on the market, chances are that you have a term life insurance policy. Unlike whole or permanent life insurance, a term life benefit is only guaranteed for a period of time, or term, determined when the insurance was initially approved. After the term runs out, you’ll have to re-apply and get approved for a new policy.
We get that life gets crazy, but it’s essential to know exactly when your term is set to run out. Even if the term ended the previous day and tragedy strikes, the insurance company has no obligation to pay your family a death benefit.
Though this should come as no huge shock, if you don’t pay your monthly premiums, a payout can be denied. Often there are grace periods, but never assume this is the case. It can be easy to put this payment on the backburner an a non-essential, but if your family’s financial situation is already tight, imagine how much worse it’d become if they lost you—and then found out your death benefit was denied?
Death benefits are often denied if the policyholder passed away while engaged in an act of war. Needless to say, going to war is risky. Similarly, if you die while abroad, especially to countries deemed dangerous, your policy can be considered invalid.
Be sure to check your individual policy to understand exactly how these restrictions may or may not apply to your specific situation.
Many insurance policies have what’s commonly called a suicide clause. The suicide clause was created to dissuade people from taking out a policy with the intention of ending their life so their family can receive a payout. Beneficiaries of policyholders that die by suicide, usually within the first two years of taking out a policy, won’t receive a payout.
Denial of a death benefit due to suicide can also occur if the deceased failed to disclose a known history of depression or mental illness when initially applying for life insurance.
If the policyholder passes away due to participating in a high-risk lifestyle or activity like skydiving, bungee jumping, rock climbing, etc. your beneficiaries may not be eligible for a death benefit. If you do disclose your passion for these activities while applying, it’s still possible to get covered—you’ll just pay a little extra to account for that heightened risk.
This isn’t just about adrenaline junkies though. This also can also include activities like an overdose due to drug use not prescribed by a doctor, death while engaging in an illegal activity, death while driving drunk, etc. Essentially, any activity where you knowingly put yourself in harm’s way could deprive your family of a payout.
If you pass away with two years of taking out an insurance policy, the insurance company usually has the right to contest eligibility. This is to give the provider time to analyze the policy, ensuring there were no misrepresentations during the application process. If they find any misrepresentations, even if not related to the cause of death, it’s possible for the policy to be cancelled.
Though this usually doesn’t culminate in the denial of a death benefit, it’s just one more reason to honestly disclose everything on your application. And don’t think you’re in the clear past the two year mark. If blatant fraud is found, a death benefit can still be denied.
If the suicide clause timeframe has passed, and any prior known history of mental history has been disclosed, then most beneficiaries should receive a death benefit if the policyholder passes due to suicide.
As long as it’s disclosed upfront, passing away due to things like a pre-existing condition, a smoking related illness, or a risky activity is often still eligible for a payout. This is why monthly premiums are often more expensive after these risks are acknowledged—to account for the higher likelihood of death. Do always discuss all policy terms to ensure everything is properly covered to avoid any surprises.
Remember, only about 1% of death benefits are denied. As long as you are forthright in disclosing all known health risks, pre-existing conditions, and risky activities, know with confidence that your family will almost certainly be eligible for your entire payout.
Life insurance companies aren’t out there to deprive families in times of need. As long as you were honest—and avoided living life too far on the wild side—rest assured that your family will be covered.
However, every policy will vary. Always read that fine print and thoroughly discuss your policy with your insurance company about the specific agreement and details. No matter how comprehensive, no list can accurately encompass the specifics of each individual policy.
And if you don’t yet have high-quality life insurance, what are you waiting for? With the JennyLife app, we’ll match you with incredible, comprehensive life insurance coverage in minutes for as little as $5 a month. No exams. No doctors. Just great life insurance for ultimate peace of mind.
Related: How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?
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