Does life insurance pay for suicidal death?

Wondering why insurance is so expensive is such a small matter when it comes to suicide. Are you anxious about whether life insurance pays for suicidal death?

Don’t worry – we’re here to answer your questions. Our guide explains how life insurance works after the insured commits suicide.

Does life insurance pay for suicidal death before two years? Continue reading to learn more. Enter your ZIP code and start comparing multiple companies near you.

If you or anyone you know is fighting thoughts of suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. They’re available 24/7 by phone and online chat.

Does life insurance pay for suicidal death?

It depends on how long the policyholder has the life insurance policy. Private life insurance plans come with a suicide clause (also known as the incontestability clause).

The incontestability clause lasts for at least two years. If a policyholder commits suicide after having the policy for two years, the beneficiary can file a claim.

Group life insurance policies are known to exclude the suicide clause. Therefore, you can file a claim if a person commits suicide within a year.

Read more: What does life insurance not cover?

When does life insurance not pay for suicidal death?

A life insurance company can deny your claim for these reasons:

• Incorrect Age or Gender
• Short-term contestability (death or suicide within two years of having the policy)
• Proof that the policyholder lied to the company

If your policy is in one or more of these situations, the life insurance company may deny your claim.

Does military life insurance pay for suicidal death?

Yes, it does—military life insurance policies, such as VGLI and SGLI payout claims for suicidal death. There’s no incontestability clause.

Does State Farm life insurance pay for suicidal death?

The short answer is yes. However, you need to carry the State Farm life insurance policy for two years to avoid incontestability.

For more information, check out this State Farm Life Insurance review.

Read more: State Farm Renters Insurance Review: Does It Pay to Bundle?

How do life insurance claims work for suicide?

Like any life insurance claim, the beneficiary can file a claim with the policyholder’s life insurance company. Follow the company’s directions and give them what they need.

Alert life insurance companies if you’re being treated for anxiety, depression or other mental illnesses.

Don’t mislead or lie to the life insurance company. A life insurance company can deny your claim if you lie about critical information.

For example, tell the life insurance agent about the nature of how the policyholder passed, such as physician-assisted suicide. You’ll likely need a death certificate to confirm your claim but report it anyway. (For more information, read our “What is a life insurance death benefit?“).

Group life insurance policies usually don’t have a suicide clause, but individual policies do.

How do you contest a denied life insurance claim?

The best way to fight a life insurance claim that’s denied is by taking it to court. Life insurance agents are trained to save the company’s money, so any inconsistency is often met with a denied claim.

Don’t give up. Gather all the information you can.

The more proof you have that your claim was wrongfully denied, the better your case will be in a court of law. Have a lawyer look at your claim and develop a lawsuit against the life insurance company.

Frequently Asked Questions: Does life insurance pay for suicidal death?

Before we wrap up this guide, let’s answer a couple of questions about life insurance coverage for suicide.

#1 – How does a life insurance company know if someone died by suicide?

Your life insurance company will ask for an autopsy, death certificate, and other documents to determine a valid claim.

#2 – Do life insurance companies deny coverage if you suffer from depression?

No. While some life insurance companies are hesitant in providing coverage, you won’t be denied automatically.

Life Insurance for Suicidal Death: What’s the bottom line?

Life insurance companies cover suicide, but only after the policyholder has life insurance coverage for more than two years. Have all the necessary documents when the agent requests them to avoid any issues with your claim.

We hope this article helped you understand how life insurance pays for suicidal death. If you’re not insured, you can find a reliable life insurance company near you by using our free online quote tool below.