The insured in this case died in a motorcycle accident. At the time of his death he was covered by a group life insurance policy.  The policy provided basic life insurance, and double indemnity if the insured died solely through violent, external and accidental means.The insurer refused to pay the additional accidental death benefits on the ground that the insured’s death was excluded from coverage because he was driving while intoxicated at the time of his death.

Our client, the insured’s daughter, contacted us soon after she received the denial letter. The denial seemed unfair – her father’s motorcycle was rear ended by a large truck and there was absolutely no indication of the insured violating any traffic rules that would have in any way contributed to the collision.

Our life insurance attorney successfully appealed the denial of benefits and the claim was paid in full.