The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) of 1974 governs most employer-sponsored or employer-purchased life insurance policies. Under this federal law, insurance companies that issue these policies have very little incentive to pay benefits, because the law is tilted heavily in their favor and they face no real penalties for denying claims.
At the same time, policyholders who want to fight their insurance company’s denial have limited rights and limited options for attorneys who have experience with ERISA life insurance disputes.
At Goldstein, Gellman, Melbostad, Harris & McSparran, we represent life insurance policyholders and beneficiaries in the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California. Our lawyers have extensive experience in this type of work and have successfully represented clients in claims against some of the largest insurance companies in the United States.
Today, we encourage you to call or contact us for a free consultation regarding your ERISA life insurance claim and to find out how we can protect your rights.
When ERISA governs a life insurance policy and a claim for benefits is made, insurance companies frequently choose not to pay. Often, their argument will be premised on the idea that the policy expired, was cancelled, was either never issued or not in effect, or that the manner or cause of “the insured’s” death was not covered under the policy’s terms.
In some cases, employer-sponsored benefit plans choose the cheaper, “accidental death and disability” option instead of purchasing true life insurance. The problem with this is twofold. First, policies like these are often misrepresented in terms of what they actually cover. Second, insurance companies have a lot of wiggle room when it comes to defining what qualifies as an accident.
If this sounds difficult to overcome, you’re right. It is. With strong legal representation, however, you can make the most of the limited rights ERISA provides and overcome the insurance company’s advantage.
Our attorneys offer free initial consultations and can provide advice and representation for ERISA life insurance claim denials on either an hourly basis or on a contingency basis. To learn more, call our offices directly at 415.673.5600 or contact us online.
ERISA Life Insurance Claim News
Policy holder accuses North America Life of violating ERISA
California Insurance Law Gets Another Look in 9th Cir.