When you are ready to submit a life insurance claim to an insurance provider, certain steps will have to be taken to ensure the claim is properly submitted and processed. In general, these steps will include (but may not necessarily be limited to):
- Locate and Read the Insurance Policy – This is the contract that governs the claim. Read it. Learn how it works.
- Provide Proper and Timely Notice of the Claim – This is the first step in initiating a life insurance claim, and the “proper” way of providing this notification will depend on the specific terms of your policy. Most life insurance policies may require that notice of a claim be provided in writing. There are time limits. Read the Notice of Claim language of the policy. Time limits will run from the date of the death. You will likely need to first contact the insurance company and obtain the required claim forms. Following the specific requirements for notifying the insurance company of the claim is crucial to avoiding additional challenges and delays as you proceed.
- Proof of Loss – This step in the claims process can involve completing various forms (provided by the insurance company), as well as supporting documentation (like a copy of the death certificate). As with notice of the claim, there may be specific (and strict) deadlines for providing this proof to the insurance company, and these requirements should be detailed in your policy documents.
- Tip: Keep copies of everything you send to the insurance company, and document when (and how) you have sent these items. You never know when your claim may hit a roadblock. Keeping detailed, accurate records of what you have done along the way can be crucial to protecting your rights and your claim.
- Comply with the Insurance Company’s Information Requests– As the insurance provider reviews your claim, additional requests may be made, such as asking you to provide other information or documents. Cooperating with this review and investigation process by supplying the requested information is another critical step in the life insurance claims process.
- Tip: It’s not uncommon for insurance providers to make unreasonable requests during the claims review process, as this can be a tactic used to try to subvert legitimate claims. So, if you are uncertain about any request an insurer has made regarding your life insurance claim, contact a lawyer ASAP to find out more about how you can protect your rights and claim as you move forward.
What to Do When a Life Insurance Claim Hits Roadblock: Contact Denver Life Insurance Lawyer Shawn E. McDermott
Even though you may be diligent about taking the above steps and doing everything that’s required of you as part of the life insurance claims process, you can still face obstacles in your path to a claim approval and payment. An insurance company may prolong the investigation of your claim, offer a fraction of the benefits to which you are entitled, or deny your legitimate claim altogether.
When this happens – or whenever you want to ensure that your rights are fully protected as you deal with life insurance companies, consider contacting a trusted lawyer like Denver Life Insurance LawyerShawn E. McDermott. Dedicated and experienced, the attorneys at McDermott Law, LLC have have a record of success when it comes to helping people fight denied life insurance claims and securing the benefits they need and deserve.
To learn more about how McDermott Law, LLC can help you with your life insurance claim, set up a complimentary consult with our office today by calling 720-773-5045 or by emailing us using the contact form on this screen. From offices in Denver, and now Greenwood Village, we provide quality legal services to people throughout the state of Colorado, the surrounding states and nationwide.
