Legal Question in Insurance Law in Ohio

Life Insurance Company Refusal to Pay

My husband passed away 5 years ago. As I was looking for my son's birth certificate I came across some financial stuff, although I didn't know what it was. I found a life insurance policy that he had purchased back in 1997. I called the company, they pulled the policy and found he had purchased 2. The company looked over the policy and sent me claim forms. I filled the claim forms with original documents that were requested to complete my claim form. Seven days later, I received a letter stating a denial of claim due to 90-day deadline after death. Is this legal and if I had No knowledge of these claims to begin with can they penalize and deny this claim? Please respond, thank you.


Asked on 8/17/04, 2:46 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert Guehl Guehl Law Offices

Re: Life Insurance Company Refusal to Pay

To answer your question will require a complete review of the life insurance policies. In general, there can be no claim of prejudice on the part of the insurance companies because of any delays, as they continued to have the use of the money. The provision may well be unconscionable, and certainly may be a breach of the insurance contract, and possibly a "bad faith" situation which might kick in punitive damages and attorney fees.

Please have the policies reviewed by legal counsel and pursue the matter further. If I can help, please call me at 1-800-628-8989.

Best of luck,

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Answered on 8/17/04, 5:28 pm


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