Lincoln National Sued Over Accidental Death Policy Exclusions

Lincoln National Life Insurance Co. issues accidental death benefit policies with intoxication exclusions that don’t comply with California insurance law and result in claims being improperly denied, according to a proposed class action filed Tuesday in Illinois federal court.

The lawsuit, filed by the father of a woman who died at age 29 after falling from a fourth-story window, accuses Lincoln of “willfully ignoring” California law in order to illegally exclude qualified claims under its group accidental death policies. Lincoln’s policies include broader coverage exclusions for alcohol-related deaths and injuries than what’s allowed under California insurance law, plaintiff John Bunce ...