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Life Insurance

When you experience the death of a loved one or close friend or family member, it is a very difficult and trying time. Denial of a payment on a life insurance policy for your legitimate claim can seriously compound the situation. Many individuals depend on the proceeds from life insurance policies for financial support after the loss of a family member. If you want to file a claim for the benefits of a life insurance policy or your life insurance claim has already been denied, it is important to hire a knowledgeable insurance attorney in Tampa.

Tampa Life Insurance Lawyer

Contact the Germain Law Group at (813) 835-8888 for a consultation about your life insurance claims in Tampa, Florida. Attorney Michael B. Germain is knowledgeable in all areas of life insurance.Germain Law Group, P.A. represents clients in all insurance claim matters, including life insurance, automobile insurance, disability insurance, and social security insurance.

Germain Law Group, P.A. proudly assists individuals throughout  the areas in Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, Polk County, Hernando County, and surrounding areas in Central Florida with insurance claims and denials.


Tampa Life Insurance Information Center


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Life Insurance Policy Coverage in Florida

Life insurance is defined in Fla. Stat. § 624.602 as insurance of human lives. Life insurance is a contract between the insurer and policyholder, where the insurer will pay a sum of money to the designated beneficiary upon the death of the policyholder for continuous payment of insurance premiums. Similar contracts to life insurance policies can include fixed or variable annuity contracts, endowment benefits, additional benefits for disability, and additional benefits due to accidental death or injury. Life insurance does not usually encompass workers’ compensation benefits.

Two of the most common types of life insurance are term life insurance, which provides low-cost insurance over a certain time period, and whole life insurance that builds cash value over time after payment of the premiums.

Annuity contracts are between an insurer and the policyholder, where the insurer makes periodic payments to a designated individual (also referred to as the annuitant) for continuous premium payments.

Most people are eligible for life insurance coverage. Depending on the type of policy that is purchased, only certain types of deaths are covered. For example, many less expensive policies will only cover specific causes of death, such as accidents or cancer. Typically, suicides are not covered by most life insurance policies.


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Tampa Life Insurance Claim Filing Procedures

When you file a claim as a beneficiary upon the death of the life insurance policyholder, the insurance company will usually require proof of death of the policyholder. The insurance company will also usually ask you to fill out their specific forms. It is important to make sure these forms are filled out truthfully and in detail. If not, the insurance company will probably use this as a reason to deny your life insurance claim.

Insurance companies are also required by law to make a decision on the life insurance within a reasonable period of time under Fla. Stat. § 624.155(1)(b)(3).


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Denial of Claims for Life Insurance in Tampa

Life insurance companies will often find any reason to not pay a beneficiary upon a life insurance claim, as life insurance policies are usually substantial amounts of money. Common reasons for denying the payment of life insurance claims in Florida can include the policyholder made a misrepresentation on the application for life insurance, some fraud on the insurance company, or failed to make premium payments.

Life insurance companies also unfairly settle life insurance claims by denying claims without making a reasonable investigation into the claim and failing to adopt and implement standards for the proper investigation of the claims. Further, insurers are required to pay beneficiaries based on information in their possession, regardless if the beneficiary filed a claim or a death certificate is on file with the insurance company.

After a life insurance claim has been denied, the insurance company must provide you with the specific reason for denial in their initial denial letter, the provision in the life insurance policy giving rise to the reason for the denial, any missing information that would make your claim valid, and an explanation of how to appeal the denial or have it reviewed. After an insurance claim is denied in Florida, you will probably only have limited time to appeal the decision.

The maximum period of time to collect on a life insurance policy is five years under Fla. Stat. § 717.107(1). This means any funds held under a life insurance contract or annuities policy has matured and become due and payable are presumed unclaimed. Therefore, it is essential to contact an experienced life insurance policy lawyer in Hillsborough County before the statute of limitations to present your claim expires.


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Tampa Life Insurance Claims Resources

Florida Office of Insurance Regulation – The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation serves the state’s citizens by regulating and enforcing statutes related to the insurance business in Florida.

Florida Statutes Online – This website provides links to Title XXXVII of the Florida Statutes, entitled “Insurance,” which contains the state’s rules insurance companies must follow, definitions of certain insurance terms, and other provisions regarding rates, statutes of limitations and insurance contracts.

Florida Department of Financial Services – The Office of Insurance Regulation at the Department of Financial Services regulates the insurance industry in Florida.


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Germain Law Group, P.A. | Life Insurance Attorney in Tampa

Contact the Germain Law Group today for a consultation about your life insurance claim in Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, Brevard County and Manatee County. Michael B. Germain is a knowledgeable insurance lawyer in Tampa who will listen to the facts of your situation and help you determine the best recourse in pursuing your claim for your denied life insurance claim.

Contact Germain Law Group, P.A. at (813) 835-8888 or submit an online form for a consultation about your insurance claim throughout Central Florida, including Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Citrus, Hernando Counties, and surrounding areas.