Fort Lauderdale Life Insurance Attorney
Get Fort Lauderdale's Trusted Life Insurance Claim Assistance
Maintaining a life insurance policy can provide peace of mind that your loved ones will be financially cared for should anything happen to you. Many policies are paid without issue. Unfortunately, there are still some insurance carriers that will refuse to pay out claims when the unthinkable happens, further burdening families and loved ones during what is already an impossibly difficult moment. Our Fort Lauderdale life insurance lawyer at Martin J. Sperry, P.A. can provide you with tailored, one-on-one assistance if your claim has been wrongfully denied. We have over 45 years of legal experience in this field and have recovered millions for our clients. Our firm also charges no fee without recovery.
Contact us today at (954) 324-2340 to schedule a free consultation with our experienced legal team!
Understanding Life Insurance Benefits & Coverage
Life insurance is a type of insurance contract. Generally, in exchange for paying an annual or monthly premium in order to maintain coverage, the insurance company will pay a lump sum — also known as a death benefit — to your beneficiaries of your policy after you pass away. Some life insurance policies also offer living benefits, which allow you to access your policy’s death benefit while you are still alive.
The death benefit can cover a variety of expenses. Unlike other insurance policies with stipulations on how the claim payout is used, beneficiaries can use the money for whatever purpose they decide.
Oftentimes, policyholders invest in life insurance to replace their income and make sure their beneficiaries can fulfill their financial obligations, such as:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Mortgage or rent payments
- College tuition
- Day-to-day household expenses
- Personal debt
Thus, life insurance acts as a safeguard against financial hardship. In addition, it can also be used to build an inheritance for your children or a charitable donation to your non-profit organization of choice.
To learn more about what life insurance covers and its benefits, speak with our life insurance attorney in Fort Lauderdale, FL. We can help you determine what type of coverage is right for you and your loved ones.
Choosing the Best-Suited Life Insurance Policy for Your Needs
It is important to understand that not all life insurance policies are created equally. Different types of life insurance policies offer different types of benefits at various price points. Term life insurance is temporary and remains active for a predetermined amount of time. If the policyholder passes away during the policy term, their beneficiaries can file a claim and receive benefits. If the policyholder passes after the term has ended, no claim can be filed.
These relatively short-term policies are generally less expensive than longer-term policies, though they can typically be converted into more permanent solutions for a fee. Permanent life insurance lasts until the policyholder’s death. “Whole life insurance” is a subcategory of permanent life insurance that involves fixed premium amounts and a set, guaranteed payout. These policies are extremely expensive. “Universal life insurance” is flexible and allows for adjustable premiums depending on your evolving finances and the broader investment market.
We assist clients throughout the state of Florida and offer free initial consultations. Call (954) 324-2340 or contact us online today!
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Martin Sperry, is a respected fellow lawyer in the community who consulted me on the case, and his insight was invaluable. He is highly ethical, extremely knowledgeable, and demonstrates a genuine commitment to the people he serves. His professionalism and care truly set him apart.- Karina A.
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Marty is amazing. Even after my case he’s always been a phone call away to guide me on legal matters and referred me in the right direction. Highly recommend him!- Girasol M.
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We highly recommend Martin Sperry and his team. Mr. Sperry is very knowledgeable and compassionate. He walked us through the process and was always available to answer any questions. He is amazing, professional and truly cares about his clients. We always felt that we were in great hands and knew he would get us a positive result. We always felt comfortable with him and we felt like family. Thank you Mr. Sperry for all you have accomplished for us. You are amazing!- Julia S.
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- Bruno S.
Martin Sperry is diligent thorough and precise with his explanations and delivery in court. His recommendations and integrity led us to a positive result and we are grateful to have found him
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I want to sincerely thank Attorney Martin J. Sperry for his professionalism, legal expertise, and patience throughout my disability case. His over 45 years of legal experience was evident in how he approached every detail, especially when navigating a complex situation involving misinformation from the insurance company.- Duane H.
What stood out most was his willingness to reassess the case when new facts came to light. He remained objective, thorough, and honest — qualities that are invaluable in legal representation. Thanks to his guidance, my case was resolved with a positive outcome.
If you're facing a long- or short-term disability denial or an insurance-related dispute, I highly recommend Martin J. Sperry, P.A. He understands the system, and more importantly, he fights for what’s right. -
I cannot recommend my lawyer and his team highly enough. He took over my short-term and long-term disability case and did an absolutely outstanding job getting my claim overturned. From start to finish, the entire process was seamless and handled with the highest level of professionalism.- Morgan S.
Communication was impeccable throughout the entire case. I was always kept informed, my questions were answered promptly and clearly, and I never once felt left in the dark. What truly sets him apart, though, is that he never treated me like just another case file. He treated me like a human being — with kindness, respect, and genuine compassion.
During an incredibly stressful and vulnerable time in my life, he was steady, reassuring, and deeply attentive to my situation. He listened, he cared, and he advocated for me every step of the way. His expertise, dedication, and empathy made all the difference, and I am beyond grateful for the outcome he achieved for me.
If you are looking for a lawyer who is not only highly skilled but also truly compassionate and respectful, I wholeheartedly recommend him. -
I highly recommend Marty! He was very attentive to my case and was easy to communicate with. He was also very patient with me throughout the process as I had no knowledge of how short term disability claims worked. He was able to get my appeal approved and in a reasonable time frame. Furthermore he always had time for my questions and concerns and was flexible with allowing me to come to his office if needed which was much appreciated. I liked how my case, even though it was not a large case, seemed to hold just as much value to him.- Alaina A.
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Marty is amazing! Caring, great communicator, understanding and treats you like family! Professional in every sense of the word and knows his law!!! And the best part? He WON my case!!!! I highly recommend him!- Donna V.
Our Settlements & Verdicts
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$350,000 Lump Sum Settlement on Individual Disability Policy
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$135,000 Recovery ERISA Disability Benefits
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$5,000,000 Recovery for Delayed Payment of Insurance Benefits
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$800,000 Recovery for Delayed Payment of Insurance Benefits
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$520,000 Recovery of Accidental Dismemberment Benefits
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$260,000 Recovery of Disability Benefits
Common Reasons for Life Insurance Claim Delays and Denials
No matter what type of life insurance you or your loved one has, you must continue to pay premiums in order for the policy to remain in effect. A failure to pay premiums will almost always result in a denied claim, even if all other conditions of the policy are met at the time of death. This is one of the most common reasons life insurance claims are denied, and there is often little recourse for contesting the rejection.
Life insurance policies can be denied if the insurance carrier believes the policyholder lied on their application. When evaluating an application, a carrier will consider the applicant’s age, medical history, occupation, and hobbies when deciding whether to provide coverage. If the carrier finds that the applicant lied at any point during the application process, they may be able to deny payment.
Life insurance policies and claims are also subject to a contestability period. Generally, if a policyholder passes away within 2 years of beginning their coverage, an insurance carrier will exhaustively investigate the resulting claim for potential fraud. Contestability periods will not necessarily result in a denial of coverage, but they can lead to substantial delays.
Death by homicide can also delay payment on a life insurance claim. Carriers typically have the right to wait until a homicide investigation has concluded before addressing a claim. If the investigation finds one of the policy’s beneficiaries was involved in the homicide, payment will either be denied or routed to a contingent beneficiary.
Occasional Claim Denial
Despite the relative rarity of denials, life insurance claims can still be rejected for a variety of reasons, often leaving beneficiaries feeling frustrated and uncertain about their options. Some of the most common reasons include alleged misrepresentation on the initial application, such as failing to disclose pre-existing medical conditions or lifestyle risks. Insurers may also deny claims based on policy exclusions, arguing that the cause of death—such as suicide within the contestability period or death related to hazardous activities—falls outside the scope of coverage. Understanding these potential pitfalls is crucial in preparing an effective response to a denial.
Navigating the Appeals Process
If your life insurance claim has been denied, it is important to act quickly and strategically. Insurers often provide a limited window to appeal the decision, and gathering the necessary documentation—such as medical records, policy documents, and proof of premium payments—is key to building a strong case. Many claimants find the appeals process complex and overwhelming, which is why working with an experienced life insurance attorney can make a significant difference. Legal professionals can help identify weak points in the insurer's reasoning, challenge questionable exclusions, and negotiate a fair resolution to secure the benefits you are entitled to.
Advocating for Your Rights: Contesting Life Insurance Claim Denials
The good news is life insurance claims are historically more rarely denied than other types of insurance, such as auto insurance. If your claim is rejected, your carrier must send a detailed denial letter that explains the reasons for the decision.
Our Fort Lauderdale life insurance attorney at Martin J. Sperry, P.A. can help you evaluate a denial letter and determine how best to move forward. It is possible that your insurer has made an error in evaluating your claim. Our firm can leverage our decades of experience to help you contest an improper rejection and explore all of your legal options.
If your loved one’s life insurance policy has been inappropriately denied, do not hesitate to contact us online or call (954) 324-2340 for immediate assistance.
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Personalized Legal Services
All clients work directly with Attorney Sperry to discuss their unique case.
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Cost-Efficient Approach
No fee unless we reach a resolution and recovery on your case.
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Experience on Your SideOur Attorney brings more than 45 years of experience to every case that we take on.
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Free ConsultationsDon't wait, contact our firm to schedule your free consultation today.
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