AD&D | Accidental Death Claims

Overview

Has your family experienced the accidental death of a loved one? Notably, many accidental death and accidental dismemberment policies, also known as ad&d insurance, may have exclusions for illnesses that lead to a policyholder’s death. Here’s the catch, how many people do you know that die in perfect health? The answer is few. Furthermore, death related to illness may be one of the most common reasons for denial of an accidental death claim.

Additionally, there are many other reasons for denial of claims. Indeed, claims that involve prescription drug misuse, recreational drugs, or alcohol may be denied. Are you an accidental death beneficiary? If your accidental death beneficiary rights have been delayed or denied, don’t wait, contact us today for a consultation.

How We Can Help

Before our firm appeals an accidental death denial, we conduct an investigation. What does our firm look at:

• • The life insurance policy
  • Medical records
  • Toxicology reports
  • Medical examiner’s reports
  • Coroner’s reports
  • Death certificate
  • Doctor’s records
  • Policy exclusions
  • Other records

We use this information to determine the true cause of the accident death or accidental dismemberment. This allows us to determine whether the insurance company has properly interpreted the policy terms.

In addition, our firm conducts legal research to find similar cases and their outcomes. If necessary, we will hire medical experts to prepare expert opinions, including, the cause of the insured’s accidental death. In motor vehicle accident cases, we may hire an expert to reconstruct the accident scene. An accident reconstruction or demonstration will help the court see the cause of the accident.

Common Reasons for AD&D Denial

Health & Drugs

Illness: The insurance company may claim that your loved one death was related due to an illness. This insurance denial is very common in falling accidents. If an insured falls and sustains a bodily injury that results in other health complications, the insurance company will try to deny your claim. Additionally, if the fall exacerbates the insured’s already existing medical conditions, the insurance company may also deny your claim.

Prescription Drug Abuse: Insurance companies deny valid claims because their own medical experts have misinterpreted toxicology reports. A denial may show where the insured mistakenly reviewed the level of a prescription drug. That medical expert’s mistake may cause your claim to be denied.

Self-Inflicted and Reckless Behavior

Self-Inflicted Injury: The insurance company may claim that your loved one deliberately caused his/her own death. Moreover, insurance companies deny grieving loved ones by claiming that the death was a suicide. The insurance company may deny your claim or make you prove it was not a suicide. Nevertheless, our law is against the presumption of murder and suicide. That assumption will require the insurance company to produce sufficient evidence in support of its claim.

Recklessness: The insurance company may claim that the death was due to your loved one’s own recklessness. Your policy may not be covered. Risky hobbies like, parachuting, mountain skiing, or rock climbing, may cause the insurance company to refuse to pay the beneficiary. Whereas less risky hobbies may be covered. At this time, contact a life insurance lawyer if your claim was denied. You will receive a free case evaluation.

Accidental Death Statistics

According to national statistics, accidental death is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. How can you add AD&D to your policy? It’s simple. Simply, accidental death and dismemberment coverage is a ride along (known as a rider) to a regular life insurance plan. Generally, accidental death insurance will pay benefits. Additionally, AD&D benefits are paid along with any other life insurance policies. Plainly, the accidental life insurance can be an add-on to a regular life insurance plan. As a result, your loved one may receive more benefits.

Florida Law

if an insured dies within two years of the inception of a life insurance policy, Florida law permits the insurance company to conduct an investigation of the insured’s insurance application and life insurance questionnaire. If your AD&D claim has been delayed due to an investigation, call an accidental death lawyer immediately.

Exclusions

Accidental death insurance has many exclusions. Specifically, life insurance companies maintain a list of events and circumstances that may be reason for accidental death denial or life insurance payout denial. As you know, the life insurance company will take any opportunity to deny an accidental death benefit. Generally, death by illness, suicide, non-commercial radiation, war, and natural causes are not covered by AD&D insurance. Often times, insurance companies will deny an accidental death claim if the insured died while under the influence of any non-prescribed drug or alcohol.

Additionally, the life insurance company may deny a claim because of an overdose with toxic or poisonous substances. Furthermore, even athletic injuries sustained in a professional sporting event may end up with a claim being denied. Denied Life insurance claims can create many hurdles for beneficiaries and prevent the beneficiary from receiving payments. If the insured died within two years of the inception of the policy, the insurance company may delay your claim while it conducts an investigation.

Frequently Asked Questions