Life Insurance or AD&D

Our firm has handled many of these case, and we are often asked how there could ever be a dispute in a Life Insurance or AD&D case. Although it may not seem obvious, these claims are often denied. The bases for such denials often involve improper enrollment in an insurance plan, improper beneficiary designations, or disputes about whether a death or dismemberment (loss of a limb) was an “accident.”

Other common problems we see relate to “conversion.” When someone has life insurance through their job, they may be able to switch their policy from a group to an individual policy when they leave that job.

Also, many Life or AD&D insurance policies allow you to obtain a “premium waiver” if you become disabled while the Life or AD&D coverage is in force. In other words, the insurer may allow you to keep the Life or AD&D insurance coverage, but you do not have to pay a premium for as long as you are disabled.

Like other types of insurance, you can often buy Life or AD&D coverage through work. These policies are covered by a federal law known as ERISA. ERISA claims are often subject to very short deadlines, therefore it is important to act immediately when a claim is denied.

However, many people buy Life insurance on their own, outside of work. These are individual insurance policies (even if they are bought from a professional group or through some organization to which you belong, like AAA, AARP, etc.), and they are not subject to ERISA.