Do life insurance companies check your medical records after you die?

Question

Let's say that you get life insurance and claim to be a non-smoker. Then let's say that you start smoking or resume smoking. Assuming that your medical records show that you smoked, will most life insurance companies check your records, see that you smoked, and then cancel your benefit?

Answer 1

There is a cost to acquiring medical records, so they wouldn't do this just for fun.  If you die during the contestability period, you better believe they want to make sure you didn't make a factual misrepresentation on the application.  If they successfully contest the policy, this may void your coverage.  Don't lie.

Answer 2

after you die, yes.  And it's called "voiding the policy", and it's YOUR lie that voids the policy, the insurance company just finds out about it.

Answer 3

I am unsure if answering this question in the negative would contribute to fraud.

Perhaps you have a method of assuring that the proposed insured be around to assist or supervise the investigation.

In general, death claims are only investigated if there is suspicion of fraud. If the insurance is within the incontestable period, benefits may be limited to premiums paid, plus interest.

Generally, life insurance contracts are incontestable after having been in for two years.

Answer 4

Your application must be truthful at the time you apply. If you aren't a smoker when you apply, but pick up the habit down the road, there's no fraud and the insurance company will pay. You never signed anything stating you will NEVER smoke.

Proving that a dead person committed fraud is extremely difficult! Once they agree to insure you, they're are obligated to do so unless somehow, someway, they prove fraud, which again is extremely difficult!

Answer 5

if you died from a smoking related illness then no they wouldn't pay out the benefit. They will ask to see your death certificate and that will state what you died of, if they are suspicious they will investigate further. There isn't any point paying the monthly premiums on a policy you have lied on because they  rarely will pay out.

Answer 6

If you die of something caused by smoking...

they will likely check your records a bit

BUT they'll still pay the claim - minus the amount you "should've paid" for premiums as a smoker