When Life Insurance Doesn’t Pay: What Families Need to Know Before Filing a Claim

Tell Natalie what you love about this episode, text here! (https://www.buzzsprout.com/2332306/fa...) Imagine doing everything you thought you were supposed to do. You purchased life insurance, named beneficiaries, paid the premiums, and believed your family would be protected. Then someone dies, the family files the claim, and instead of receiving the money they expected, the claim is delayed, disputed, or denied. In this episode of Chat with Nat, Natalie Kime sits down with attorney Stephanie Prestridge, co-founder of Life Claim, to talk about what families need to understand before they ever have to file a life-insurance claim. Stephanie spent nearly two decades working in estate planning before a case changed the direction of her practice. A client had done the planning, worked with the right professionals, and put life insurance in place, yet after his death the insurance company refused to pay. Stephanie initially had the reaction many families would have: that was not how life insurance was supposed to work. That experience led her to begin looking much more closely at denied, delayed, and disputed claims and eventually to build a practice around helping beneficiaries navigate them. Natalie and Stephanie talk about beneficiary designations and why a will or trust generally does not override the beneficiary listed on a life-insurance policy. They discuss what can happen when an old beneficiary is never updated, how employer-sponsored policies can operate differently from individually owned policies, and why families need to understand not only what coverage exists but where it came from and what rules apply to it. Stephanie also explains the two-year contestability period, why insurance companies may request medical records after a death, and why accuracy on the original application matters. She shares why even an innocent misunderstanding on an application can create serious problems later. The conversation becomes especially important when Stephanie explains what beneficiaries should and should not do after a claim is filed. A friendly phone call from an insurance representative may still be recorded and documented, so beneficiaries need to stay focused on the claim process rather than casually speculating about medical history or circumstances they do not know firsthand. At the same time, families cannot ignore the process. Some policies have deadlines, and waiting too long can create another problem. Finally, Stephanie addresses what someone should do if a denial letter arrives. Her advice is clear: get qualified help before submitting an appeal, particularly when an employer-sponsored policy or other complex claim is involved. This episode is about making sure the plan you put in place today actually works for the people you love when they need it. Stephanie Prestridge is an attorney and co-founder of Life Claim, a law practice focused on helping families with delayed, denied, and disputed life insurance and accidental death claims. Before focusing her work on life-insurance disputes, Stephanie spent nearly two decades working in estate planning. That experience gave her a unique perspective on what can happen when families carefully prepare for a death, only to discover that a life-insurance benefit they expected may be delayed, challenged, or denied. Stephanie’s work now focuses on helping beneficiaries understand complicated claim situations, beneficiary disputes, employer-sponsored policies, contestability investigations, and the appeals process. She earned her law degree from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law and is based in Louisiana. Connect With Stephanie Website: LifeClaim.com Phone: 888-615-3270 Email: stephanie.prestridge@lifeclaim.com LinkedIn: Stephanie Prestridge Instagram: @lifeclaimwins Facebook: @lifeclaimwins Wondering, "Can I afford that?" Get a clearer picture of your money with Natalie Kime's free Can I Afford That? Checklist. No complicated spreadsheets or financial jargon. Download your copy at https://www.chatwithnapodcast.com/ Thank you for listening to Chat With Nat: Caregiving, Money & Real Life Solutions. This podcast is your trusted guide for caregiving strategies, caregiver support, long-distance caregiving tips, financial planning for families, and managing caregiver burnout. Each week, we provide actionable advice, expert interviews, real caregiver stories, and practical tools to help you navigate caregiving challenges, protect your finances, and care with confidence. Whether you’re caring for aging parents, managing adult children with special needs, or balancing caregiving with work, Chat With Nat is here to help you care smarter, avoid burnout, and feel supported every step of the way. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and never miss an episode about caregiver tips, dementia care, financial guidance for caregivers, and emotional support for those caring for loved ones. Join our com...