Your Policy May Not Have Lapsed — We Can Prove It
If an insurance company claims your loved one's policy lapsed due to non-payment of premiums, they may be wrong. The Voss Law Firm investigates whether proper notice was given and challenges wrongful policy lapses.
(260) 239-4029Fill out the form below and an attorney will review your case at no cost.
A life insurance policy can lapse when premiums are not paid on time. However, insurance companies are not free to simply cancel a policy without following specific legal requirements. Most states require insurers to provide written notice of a premium due, a grace period for late payment (typically 30 to 31 days), and in many cases, a separate lapse notice informing the policyholder that the policy will terminate if payment is not received. When an insurer fails to comply with these requirements, the policy may still be in force — and the claim should be paid.
Insurance companies have a legal obligation to provide adequate notice before a policy lapses. This typically includes a premium due notice sent before the payment deadline and a lapse notice sent after the grace period expires. The specific requirements vary by state, but the fundamental principle is the same: the policyholder must be given a fair opportunity to pay the premium and keep the policy in force. The Voss Law Firm investigates whether the insurer complied with all applicable notice requirements. If the insurer failed to send proper notice, or if the notice was sent to the wrong address, the lapse may be invalid and the claim should be honored.
Many permanent life insurance policies include provisions for automatic premium loans or nonforfeiture options that can prevent a policy from lapsing. An automatic premium loan provision allows the insurer to borrow against the policy's cash value to pay the premium, keeping the policy in force. Nonforfeiture options may include reduced paid-up insurance or extended term insurance. Insurance companies sometimes fail to apply these provisions correctly, resulting in a wrongful lapse. The Voss Law Firm reviews the policy language and the insurer's actions to determine whether these protections should have prevented the lapse.
Even when a policy has technically lapsed, there may be options for reinstatement or equitable relief. Many policies include reinstatement provisions that allow the policyholder to restore coverage within a specified period by paying back premiums and providing evidence of insurability. In some cases, courts have applied equitable doctrines such as estoppel and waiver to prevent insurers from enforcing a lapse when the insurer's own conduct contributed to the non-payment. The Voss Law Firm explores every available avenue to restore coverage and recover benefits for our clients.
If your life insurance claim has been denied, delayed, or underpaid, contact us today. We'll review your case at no cost and no obligation.
(260) 239-4029"My father's policy had lapsed just weeks before he passed. We thought all was lost. The Voss Law Firm proved the insurance company failed to send proper lapse notices and recovered the full death benefit for our family."
Robert K.
Chicago, IL
$500K RecoveredTime limits may apply to your lapsed policy claims case. The sooner you contact an attorney, the stronger your position will be. Fill out the form for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.
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Fill out the form below and an attorney will review your case at no cost.