Can you collect on a life insurance policy if the insured committed suicide?
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Can you collect on a life insurance policy if the insured committed suicide?
They bought the policy 6 years ago.
Asked on September 1, 2018 under Insurance Law, Connecticut
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 5 years ago | Contributor
There are 2 policy clauses that can potentially be triggered when an insured commits suicide. If either clause is invoked by the insurer, the insured’s family receives no death benefit. The first is the "suicide clause". Typically, this clause states that no death benefit will be paid if the insured commits suicide within 2 years of taking out the policy. The second clause is the "incontestibility clause" which provides that if the insured made misstatements on the policy application and dies within 2 years, then the company can decline the claim. After that time, the policy is “incontestable” except in cases of outright fraud.
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