[klc1923]

Most important, and i did not see this mentioned, was the spouse the listed beneficiary? Spouses are not automatically the listed beneficiary. I’ve seen ex girlfriends paid out rather than wife and kids because the beneficiary had never been updated. Very sad.

[Deckboat234]

I would file a complaint with the insurance department where this company is located. If that does not work, then get an attorney. The complaint is free and the company will most likely have to provide answer, but an investigation could be required depending on the issues.

[seecapecod]

Originally Posted by Northwoods

I'm looking for advice. My friend's spouse passed away last year in a foreign country. The spouse has a sizable life insurance policy with Lincoln Financial, Life Insurance division. My friend tried everything to get this company to pay the policy. They are giving her the run-around. They've told her they need more documents, and when she sends them to the company they come up with another excuse. Now, Lincoln Life is saying they need to "investigate." They won't tell her why or when they will conclude the investigation.
It appears they are stalling so they don't have to pay.
Does anyone have any advice of a government agency that could intervene? She doesn't want to hire a lawyer, because then she has to pay a lawyer to collect the money owed to her.

I work for one of Lincoln’s competitors- her State Department of Insurance is the best recourse. They will work with Lincoln on her behalf to resolve. There are procedures Lincoln will need to follow to respond to the DOI in a timely manner until resolution.

[seecapecod]

Originally Posted by Shipping up to Boston

What she wants to do and what she should do....is to hire an attorney. Of course she’ll have to give the lawyer his fee. You did say ‘sizable’ policy....it appears by your own words that she’s in over her head. There is no governmental agency short of an Attorney General....and that’s only if you can prove some consumer fraud. Investigations are part of the process given the amount of insurance fraud in the system. Let a professional do what they do daily...and allow the process to proceed to a natural conclusion

That is incorrect. Start with the States Department of Insurance. The life insurance industry is heavily regulated by the states. That is the best recourse. No lawyer is needed at this stage.

[Happytails057@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by Northwoods

I'm looking for advice. My friend's spouse passed away last year in a foreign country. The spouse has a sizable life insurance policy with Lincoln Financial, Life Insurance division. My friend tried everything to get this company to pay the policy. They are giving her the run-around. They've told her they need more documents, and when she sends them to the company they come up with another excuse. Now, Lincoln Life is saying they need to "investigate." They won't tell her why or when they will conclude the investigation.
It appears they are stalling so they don't have to pay.
Does anyone have any advice of a government agency that could intervene? She doesn't want to hire a lawyer, because then she has to pay a lawyer to collect the money owed to her.

Contact the state department of insurance and the attorney general.

[Girlcopper]

Originally Posted by Northwoods

I'm looking for advice. My friend's spouse passed away last year in a foreign country. The spouse has a sizable life insurance policy with Lincoln Financial, Life Insurance division. My friend tried everything to get this company to pay the policy. They are giving her the run-around. They've told her they need more documents, and when she sends them to the company they come up with another excuse. Now, Lincoln Life is saying they need to "investigate." They won't tell her why or when they will conclude the investigation.
It appears they are stalling so they don't have to pay.
Does anyone have any advice of a government agency that could intervene? She doesn't want to hire a lawyer, because then she has to pay a lawyer to collect the money owed to her.

Obviously the insurance co finds something suspicious about the death or they would have paid already. Nothing you can do except wait u til their investigation is over and if your friend isn’t accused of anything, they will collect.

[FredJacobs]

Among the reasons that an insurance company "investigates" is that the insured may have died under mysterious circumstances such as suicide in the first 2 years of the policy or the insured may have been a homicide victim and the beneficiary needs to be cleared by the police, etc.

If none of these apply, have your friend contact the State Insurance Commission for help.

[Shipping up to Boston]

Originally Posted by klc1923

Most important, and i did not see this mentioned, was the spouse the listed beneficiary? Spouses are not automatically the listed beneficiary. I’ve seen ex girlfriends paid out rather than wife and kids because the beneficiary had never been updated. Very sad.

That’s why we have Probate courts in this country

[Charsaunt]

First thing is to be sure your friend is the stated beneficiary to this policy. If she is and she proceeds (with the assistance of an attorney) then she might be interested to know that when the life insurance company does pay off, they have to pay interest on the policy amount from the date of death to the date of pay out.

[marcesium]

Is counseled in the country he or she passed away in was the body transported to the US. Certificate of death with cause of death

[blueash]

Couple of nice articles explaining why there can be delays in payouts

Why Your Life Insurance Claim Takes So Long. This one is all the reasons

Does Life Insurance Pay For Overseas Deaths? This one specific to overseas issues

[ElDiabloJoe]

Originally Posted by Shipping up to Boston

That’s why we have Probate courts in this country

Well, that might be the number 2 reason we have probate courts. The number 1 reason, of course, is to make attorneys rich when people don't solid wills or trusts in place.

[lawgolfer]

Originally Posted by Northwoods

I'm looking for advice. My friend's spouse passed away last year in a foreign country. The spouse has a sizable life insurance policy with Lincoln Financial, Life Insurance division. My friend tried everything to get this company to pay the policy. They are giving her the run-around. They've told her they need more documents, and when she sends them to the company they come up with another excuse. Now, Lincoln Life is saying they need to "investigate." They won't tell her why or when they will conclude the investigation.
It appears they are stalling so they don't have to pay.
Does anyone have any advice of a government agency that could intervene? She doesn't want to hire a lawyer, because then she has to pay a lawyer to collect the money owed to her.

Lincoln is a reputable company. Events in a foreign company, whether an accident or death, complicate any claim. Without knowing what Lincoln has asked for, it is difficult to analyze the problem.

If the claim in, ultimately, paid, the widow should demand interest be paid from the date the claim was first submitted.

If the dispute persists, the easiest path is to file a complaint with the insurance commissioner in the state where the policy was sold. All insurance is governed by state law. Insurance commissioners are oriented towards the policyholder and will get to the bottom of the matter.

After that, if the claim is paid, the widow can consult an attorney and then consider a lawsuit

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Northwoods

I'm looking for advice. My friend's spouse passed away last year in a foreign country. The spouse has a sizable life insurance policy with Lincoln Financial, Life Insurance division. My friend tried everything to get this company to pay the policy. They are giving her the run-around. They've told her they need more documents, and when she sends them to the company they come up with another excuse. Now, Lincoln Life is saying they need to "investigate." They won't tell her why or when they will conclude the investigation.
It appears they are stalling so they don't have to pay.
Does anyone have any advice of a government agency that could intervene? She doesn't want to hire a lawyer, because then she has to pay a lawyer to collect the money owed to her.

Lawyers make laws, you have hire lawyer to fight for your rights. After years of getting paid lawyers will finely milk all money the can and come to agreement. If you don’t agree it starts all over. Eventually the fees will be higher than the payout

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by lawgolfer

Lincoln is a reputable company. Events in a foreign company, whether an accident or death, complicate any claim. Without knowing what Lincoln has asked for, it is difficult to analyze the problem.

If the claim in, ultimately, paid, the widow should demand interest be paid from the date the claim was first submitted.

If the dispute persists, the easiest path is to file a complaint with the insurance commissioner in the state where the policy was sold. All insurance is governed by state law. Insurance commissioners are oriented towards the policyholder and will get to the bottom of the matter.

After that, if the claim is paid, the widow can consult an attorney and then consider a lawsuit

No different than any other insurance company. Denied, denied, till smarter lawyer trumps them.