Will life insurance cover a suicidal death?
Many life insurance policies will cover suicidal death if the contestability clause and suicide clause requirements are satisfied.
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Heidi Mertlich
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Heidi works with top-rated life insurance carriers to bring her clients the highest quality protection at the most competitive prices. She founded NoPhysicalTermLife.com, specializing in life insurance that doesn’t require a medical exam. Heidi is a regular contributor to several insurance websites, including FinanceBuzz.com, Insurist.com, and Forbes. As a parent herself, she understands the ...
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UPDATED: Jul 31, 2024
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UPDATED: Jul 31, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right life insurance coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident life insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one life insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our life insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different life insurance companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
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Suicide has risen dramatically in the last 25 years. According to the CDC, deaths from suicide have increased by 35% during that time. The most-affected groups and demographics included women aged 45-64 and men 75 and older. Men were also more likely to commit suicide than women.
Is suicide covered by life insurance? Yes, life insurance will pay for suicidal death as long as the terms of the policy’s suicide clause are met.
However, these statistics and a history of depression can impact your life insurance rates. Here’s what you need to know about life insurance and suicide.
Does life insurance cover suicidal death?
According to the CDC, deaths from suicide have increased within certain age groups and demographics, primarily women aged 45-64 and men who are 75 or older. Because most types of life insurance cover a policyholder in the event of death, including natural and unforeseen circumstances, willful suicide or self-termination may not automatically result in a denial of benefits.
Two separate clauses represent a grace period of two years, which generally must be met before any qualified claim will pay out life insurance for suicide.
Contestability Clause in Life Insurance
In many cases, life insurance will cover suicide if a period of two or more years has elapsed since their policy start date.
Many other scenarios, however, will also fall under the contestability clause, which can result in denial of coverage, like accidental death due to personal negligence or risky or illegal behavior. It’s most important that individual and group life insurance policyholders read their contracts down to the fine print, so they understand what scenarios are covered. (For more information, read our “Life Insurance vs. Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance: Which Is Better for You“).
Suicide Clause in Life Insurance
Life insurance policies taken out via a person’s employer may automatically cover suicide. However, there could still be a waiting period before beneficiaries qualify to protect the insurer.
In any life insurance policy, whether individual or employer-provided life insurance, this is known as a suicide clause. The suicide clause is more specific than the contestability clause, which also covers other situations that would nullify your life insurance policy.
Contestability and Suicide Clauses When Updating or Switching Life Insurance Policies
Your contestability period and suicide clause revert to their original state if you switch life insurance policies, even if they are with the same insurer. As a result, there would be another waiting period during which your life insurance would no longer be valid if you committed suicide.
This is typically not the case if you merely convert your life insurance policy. For example, you wouldn’t start a new contestability period if you changed your term life insurance policy to a whole life insurance policy with the same death benefit.
However, the suicide clause and contestability clause would reappear if you had two term life insurance policies and chose to consolidate them into one with a higher face value.
Your beneficiaries won’t get the policy’s death benefit if you pass away during the contestability period and it’s determined that it was a suicide. Still, they might get the whole amount of premiums paid instead. For a cash-value life insurance policy, the amount of your policy loan would be subtracted from the payout your family would get and had borrowed money from it.
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Questionable Life Insurance Situations
Because suicide rates often vary by age, gender, ethnicity, and other individual risk factors, life insurance rates and policies may vary, especially if a person has a history of self-harm or alcohol or drug abuse and has demonstrated intent in the past.
Full transparency is recommended anytime you open an insurance policy to avoid the possibility that insurance adjusters perform an investigation under suspicion of wrongdoing or unjust enrichment.
Does life insurance cover drug overdose or alcohol?
A life insurance policy will cover accidental drug overdose. The primary denial of life insurance benefits occurs when you don’t tell them everything ahead of time. To avoid having a claim denied due to policy exceptions, ensure that you tell them about the following before opening the policy:
- Any history of drug or alcohol abuse, treatment, or rehabilitation
- All medications you have taken in the past or are currently taking
- Mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety
- Risky behaviors such as wing-suit gliding, base jumping, or skydiving
You can get life insurance for alcoholics as long as you are honest about it. Just remember that group life insurance may provide fewer benefits than individual life insurance policies by default.
Read more:
Is medical assistance in dying, death with dignity, or euthanasia covered by your life insurance policy?
That depends on your coverage. While medically assisted dying, or death with dignity, is allowed in over 20% of the U.S., it is not without its legal guidelines and requirements. If a person has been given a terminal medical diagnosis in a state where it is allowed, doctor-assisted suicide may be allowed within six months.
Some policies offer special benefits for terminal illnesses, while others can limit when and if you receive coverage before you meet the policy’s grace period. Because no two life insurance policies are the same, it’s up to you to know what’s in yours.
Does life insurance cover the military for suicide?
VGLI or SGLI typically covers members of the U.S. armed forces in the event of suicide since those who serve in the military are carefully screened during the enlistment or commissioning process anyway.
Any tendencies toward suicide not previously discovered are considered to be the responsibility of the U.S. government.
What is a claim denial of life insurance for suicide?
If an insurance company decides to investigate a life insurance suicidal death claim, suspecting foul play or a violation of the policy, they may seek out the following:
- The death certificate or autopsy report
- Eye-witness testimony from family, neighbors, co-workers, and friends
- Weapons purchase history
- Medical and hospital records
- Evidence of criminal, illegal, or dangerous behavior
- Anything that closely resembles a suicide note
While most life insurance claims often cover suicide, it’s also important to remember that companies may deny your claim or attempt to limit the payout to maintain or expand their profit margins and executive bonuses.
How to Contest a Denial of Life Insurance Benefits Due to Suicide
Suppose you disagree with the actions of the insurance company. In that case, legal counsel can often help you overcome any failure on their behalf to pay the full, legitimate, and lawful amount, as well as cover all legal fees. In many cases, it can even be settled out of court.
This is why it’s equally important to know your state’s laws regarding the contestability and suicide clause since they may vary slightly.
State Laws for Suicide and Life Insurance
Different states have safeguards on suicide for life insurance, so you may wish to check your state’s legislation if you disagree with an insurer’s choice to reject a claim because of suicide.
For instance, in Texas, the contestability period of a policy can only be prolonged for a maximum of two years, and insurers are not permitted to add additional suicide clauses to converted contracts.
You normally have two to four years in California to file a lawsuit to oppose a contract. The contestability period for a life insurance policy is also limited to two years in Texas.
State Laws for Physician-Assisted Suicide and Life Insurance
Ten states and Washington D.C. have some form of legal physician-assisted suicide:
- California
- Colorado
- Washington D.C.
- Hawaii
- Maine
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- Oregon
- Vermont
- Washington
Read more: Maine Life Insurance
Montana has court-ordered assisted death in specific situations.
In the other 40 states, medically-assisted death is prohibited and can result in serious legal charges ranging from misdemeanor to felony, including murder charges.
However, Nevada, North Carolina, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming do not have specific statutes expressly prohibiting physician-assisted death, as it may not be covered under common law, or the state may not recognize common law itself.
Read more:
Euthanasia, or choosing to end one’s life without medical diagnosis or evaluation, is prohibited in all U.S. states and Washington, D.C.
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Case Studies: Life Insurance and Suicidal Death
Case Study 1: The Contestability Clause
Sarah, a 35-year-old woman, purchased a term life insurance policy three years ago. Unfortunately, she struggled with depression, and her mental health took a severe toll. Tragically, Sarah took her own life. Her family filed a claim with the insurance company, but they were informed that the contestability clause was applicable.
The contestability clause stated that if the insured dies within the first two years of the policy, the insurer has the right to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death. After a thorough investigation, including medical records and interviews with family and friends, the insurance company determined that Sarah’s death was indeed a suicide.
As a result, the claim was denied, and Sarah’s family did not receive the death benefit from the policy.
Case Study 2: The Suicide Clause
Mark, a 55-year-old man, had a whole life insurance policy provided by his employer. He had been struggling with depression for several years but managed to maintain his employment. Sadly, Mark decided to take his own life.
Since Mark’s policy included a suicide clause, which had a waiting period of two years, his beneficiaries were eligible to receive the death benefit. The insurance company conducted an investigation to confirm that the suicide occurred after the waiting period had passed.
After verifying the timeline and fulfilling all necessary requirements, the insurance company approved the claim, and Mark’s beneficiaries received the full death benefit.
Case Study 3: Switching Policies and the Suicide Clause
Jennifer, a 40-year-old woman, had two term life insurance policies with different insurers. She decided to consolidate her policies into a single policy with a higher face value. During this process, she was informed that the suicide clause and contestability period would reset.
Unfortunately, Jennifer passed away by suicide six months after consolidating her policies. Her family filed a claim with the insurance company, but it was denied due to the suicide occurring within the new waiting period.
As a result of switching policies, Jennifer’s beneficiaries did not receive the death benefit, and the premiums paid were not refunded.
Understanding Life Insurance and Suicide Coverage
When it comes to life insurance that covers suicide, policyholders and their beneficiaries need to understand the specifics outlined in their agreements. Typically, life insurance policies that cover suicide include a suicide clause, which is a period during which the insurer will not pay out if the insured commits suicide. However, after this period, usually two years, life insurance will pay for suicidal death. It’s crucial to review your life insurance policy that covers suicide carefully to know the exact terms. For instance, New York life insurance suicide clause is well-known for its standard two-year exclusion period. In contrast, some insurers offer life insurance without suicide clause, meaning there is no exclusion period, and the life insurance pay out for suicide is guaranteed from day one.
For those looking for policies that provide broader coverage, some companies, like Colonial Penn, have specific requirements and documentation. If a policyholder from Colonial Penn life insurance company passes away, their beneficiaries will need to fill out Colonial Penn life insurance company death claim forms to process the claim. In some unfortunate instances, there may be a Colonial Penn life insurance lawsuit if there are disputes over the payout. Choosing a life insurance policy without suicide clause or a life insurance with no suicide clause can offer peace of mind, especially in states where death with dignity life insurance provisions are relevant. Understanding death with dignity statistics can also provide insight into how these policies interact with end-of-life choices and making a life insurance claims for committing a suicide. It’s essential to choose a policy that aligns with your needs and provides the necessary life insurance suicide coverage for your peace of mind and your family’s financial security.
Life Insurance Policy Checklist for Suicidal Death
According to the American Society for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the 12th leading cause of death in the United States. Because suicide is so prevalent, insurance companies issue life insurance policies to holders that protect their business interests against the willful, express intent to derive a benefit directly from suicidal death.
Life insurance covers suicide if you don’t violate your policy’s exceptions. As long as you’ve paid your bills on time, been transparent throughout the underwriting process, and the period for contestability and suicide clauses has expired, less than 1% of life insurance claims are ever denied.
Follow this life insurance checklist to ensure your policy will cover suicidal death:
- Check if your policy is for term life insurance or permanent life insurance. The former is for a fixed period, and the latter is automatically withdrawn and paid by the insured for the remainder of the policyholder’s life.
- Research your group life insurance benefits if you have them. They can offer limited coverage due to their wholesale discount through an employer. Typically, group life insurance benefits do offer coverage for suicide after the initial 2-year period.
- Accidental death life insurance will not cover suicide. It is typically less expensive and more specialized, offering limited coverage. Other life insurance policies are all-encompassing and will cover suicide after the suicide and contestability requirements have been met.
- Accidental death due to risky behavior or illegal drug overdose may also result in denial of a claim, depending on what is explicitly stated in your policy. Often, accidental overdose of prescribed medication and resulting death will not automatically incur a penalty, pending an investigation.
Life insurance companies will often still pay benefits after suicide, so long as no fraud is suspected, such as a failure to report a history of mental illness or depression, and an initial two-year period has passed.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best life insurance policy?
The demands of each policyholder will determine which life insurance plan is appropriate. For example, term life insurance offers coverage for brief periods, usually between five and 30 years. On the other hand, whole life or permanent policies offer protection until the insured’s death as long as premiums are paid.
You can choose the appropriate form of coverage for your needs by speaking with an insurance agent or financial advisor.
What kind of premium payments are required when buying life insurance?
Payments for life insurance contracts can be made annually or in monthly installments. Various insurers provide a range of plans. The cost of life insurance varies depending on the individual circumstances and level of coverage chosen by each policyholder.
Does life insurance cover death with dignity?
If a person is determined to be terminally ill, they may have the choice to deliberately and legally end their life. Some states have rules that prevent the insured’s death from being interpreted as suicide in this way, allowing a doctor to prescribe lethal drugs without fear of reprisal.
While it varies by state, usually, life insurance policies allow for medically assisted dying if a terminal medical diagnosis has been issued and confirmed by two or more doctors.
Does life insurance pay for suicidal death?
Yes, life insurance often covers suicide, but not always. Depending on the circumstance, you might incur a contestability penalty if the suicide occurs within the first two or three years of the policy issuance.
Does life insurance always pay out?
While only 1% of life insurance claims typically get denied across the board, your life insurance benefits may be denied if fraud is suspected. As such, conscious failure to disclose pertinent medical and health history or illegal activity resulting in death could provide an insurance company with grounds to deny a claim.
Does life insurance cover suicide?
Yes, life insurance often covers suicide, but not always. You must read your policy to understand the type of life insurance you have, its benefits, and any clauses that would create a denial of a claim.
Will life insurance cover medical aid in dying, doctor-assisted suicide, and euthanasia?
Medically-assisted dying is legal in 10 states and the District of Columbia if it meets certain carefully and legally defined criteria. Euthanasia is prohibited by law at both the federal and state level.
Are there alternative options for coverage if suicide is a concern?
If suicide is a concern and obtaining traditional life insurance coverage is challenging, there may be alternative options available, such as guaranteed issue life insurance or accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance. These types of policies may have different underwriting requirements or specific coverage limitations, so it is important to carefully review the terms and conditions before purchasing.
Does life insurance cover deaths related to mental illness or depression?
Yes, life insurance generally covers deaths related to mental illness or depression, including suicide, after the suicide clause period has passed. If the death is not within the suicide clause period and is determined to be due to natural causes or an accidental death, the full death benefit would typically be paid out to the beneficiaries. However, it is important to review the policy terms as there may be exclusions related to pre-existing mental health conditions.
Does life insurance pay for suicidal death in NC?
In North Carolina, life insurance policies typically have a suicide clause that excludes coverage for suicidal death within the first two years of the policy. After this period, most policies will pay out for suicidal death.
Does life insurance pay for suicidal death?
Does life insurance pay for suicidal death in NJ?
In New Jersey, life insurance policies usually include a suicide clause that denies coverage for suicidal death within the first two years. After this period, the policy generally pays out for suicidal death.
Does life insurance pay for suicidal death in Texas?
In Texas, life insurance policies typically have a suicide exclusion clause for the first two years. After this period, the policy generally pays out for suicidal death.
Does life insurance pay for suicidal death in California?
In California, life insurance policies generally include a two-year suicide clause. If the insured commits suicide after this period, the policy will usually pay out the death benefit.
Does term life insurance cover suicidal death?
Term life insurance policies often have a suicide exclusion clause for the first two years. After this period, the policy will typically cover suicidal death.
Does life insurance pay for suicidal death in NY?
In New York, life insurance policies commonly have a two-year suicide clause. After this period, policies will generally pay out for suicidal death.
Does life insurance pay for suicidal death in Utah?
In Utah, life insurance policies usually have a suicide exclusion clause for the first two years. After this period, the policy typically pays out for suicidal death.
Does military life insurance pay for suicidal death?
Yes, military life insurance, such as Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI), does pay out for suicidal death, but the insured must have been mentally sound at the time of death.
Does Primerica life insurance cover suicidal death?
Primerica life insurance policies typically include a suicide exclusion clause for the first two years. After this period, the policy generally covers suicidal death.
Does Prudential life insurance pay for suicidal death?
Prudential life insurance policies usually have a two-year suicide exclusion clause. After this period, the policy typically pays out for suicidal death.
Does SGLI cover suicide?
Yes, Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) covers suicide, provided the insured was mentally sound at the time of death.
Does suicide nullify life insurance?
Suicide does not nullify life insurance after the initial exclusion period, which is typically two years from the start of the policy. After this period, most policies will pay out for suicidal death.
Does term life insurance cover suicide?
Can you claim life insurance for murders that are considered an accidental death or suicide?
Yes, life insurance claims can generally be made in cases of murder, as they are considered accidental deaths. Suicide is covered after the exclusion period.
Can family collect life insurance if someone kills themselves?
Yes, family members can collect life insurance if someone kills themselves, provided the suicide occurs after the policy’s exclusion period, typically two years.
Can a life insurance claim be denied for drug use?
Yes, a life insurance claim can be denied if the insured’s death is determined to be due to drug use, especially if it was not disclosed during the application process.
Can you get a life insurance payout for a suicide?
Yes, you can get a life insurance payout for a suicide, provided it occurs after the policy’s exclusion period, which is typically two years.
Does VGLI cover suicide?
Yes, Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) does cover suicide, provided that the policy has been active for a certain period, typically two years. This is similar to civilian life insurance policies that include a suicide clause.
Does life insurance pay for suicidal death in Minnesota?
Yes, life insurance can pay for suicidal death in Minnesota if the policy has passed the suicide exclusion period, usually two years. It’s important to review the specific terms of the policy for exact details.
What life insurance covers suicide?
Most life insurance policies cover suicide after a specified exclusion period, which is typically two years from the policy start date. After this period, the policy will pay out the death benefit for suicide.
Why doesn’t life insurance pay for suicidal death?
Life insurance policies often include a suicide exclusion period to prevent individuals from purchasing insurance with the intent of committing suicide shortly thereafter. This period usually lasts two years, after which the policy will cover suicide.
Does a life insurance policy pay for accidental overdose?
Yes, most life insurance policies will pay for an accidental overdose, as it is typically considered an accidental death. However, policies may vary, so it’s important to check the specific terms of the policy.
Does accidental death insurance cover suicide?
No, accidental death insurance does not cover suicide. This type of insurance only pays out for deaths caused by accidents, and suicide is not classified as an accidental death.
Does committing suicide void life insurance?
Committing suicide does not necessarily void life insurance, but the payout is subject to the terms of the suicide clause in the policy. If the suicide occurs within the exclusion period, typically two years, the policy may not pay out. After this period, the policy usually will pay the death benefit.
Does life insurance cover alcohol-related deaths?
Yes, life insurance generally covers alcohol-related deaths unless the policy specifically excludes them. However, if the death is ruled as self-inflicted or due to intentional harm, it may not be covered.
Does life insurance cover all deaths?
Life insurance covers most deaths, including natural causes, accidents, and illnesses. However, there are typically exclusions such as deaths resulting from suicide within the exclusion period, illegal activities, or certain high-risk activities.
Does life insurance cover natural death?
Yes, life insurance covers natural death, including death from illnesses or old age.
Does life insurance cover overdose?
Life insurance can cover overdose deaths if they are accidental. If the overdose is intentional, it may be considered a suicide, and the policy’s suicide clause would then apply.
Does life insurance cover skydiving?
Life insurance policies vary in their coverage of high-risk activities like skydiving. Some policies may cover it, while others may exclude it or require additional premiums for coverage. It’s essential to check the specific terms of the policy.
Does life insurance pay for suicidal death in Colorado?
Yes, life insurance can pay for suicidal death in Colorado if the policy has passed the suicide exclusion period, typically two years. The specific terms should be reviewed in the policy documentation.
Does life insurance pay for suicidal death in Georgia?
Yes, life insurance can pay for suicidal death in Georgia if the policy has been active beyond the suicide exclusion period, usually two years. Policy specifics should be verified.
Does life insurance pay for suicidal death in Illinois?
Yes, life insurance can pay for suicidal death in Illinois if the policy is beyond the exclusion period for suicide, which is generally two years. Always check the policy terms for details.
Does life insurance pay for suicidal death in Indiana?
Yes, life insurance can pay for suicidal death in Indiana if the policy has passed the typical two-year suicide exclusion period. Reviewing the policy terms is necessary for specific information.
Does life insurance pay for suicidal death in Kansas?
Yes, life insurance can pay for suicidal death in Kansas if the policy has been active beyond the suicide exclusion period, typically two years. Always review the specific policy terms for details.
Your life insurance quotes are always free.
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Heidi Mertlich
Licensed Life Insurance Agent
Heidi works with top-rated life insurance carriers to bring her clients the highest quality protection at the most competitive prices. She founded NoPhysicalTermLife.com, specializing in life insurance that doesn’t require a medical exam. Heidi is a regular contributor to several insurance websites, including FinanceBuzz.com, Insurist.com, and Forbes. As a parent herself, she understands the ...
Licensed Life Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about life insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything life insurance-related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by life insurance experts.