Double indemnity occurs when an insurance policy pays twice the coverage limit for a death. Double indemnity may apply to any accident when the victim has applicable insurance coverage.
How Much Does Double Indemnity Pay?
The amount that double indemnity pays depends on the insurance policy. Applicable policies will contain a clause defining double indemnity coverage.
What Types of Accidents does Double Indemnity Apply to?
Double indemnity may apply in cases where someone dies and insurance coverage applies to the circumstances of their passing.
Some incidents that may result in double indemnity coverage are:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Trip and fall accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Boating accidents
- Drowning
- Workplace accidents
You can take a look at your insurance policy to see if you have this type of coverage.
What Losses Can Double Indemnity Cover?
Double indemnity provides financial relief in the case of an untimely death. Therefore, double indemnity may help cover:
- Funeral expenses
- The deceased’s lost income
- Grief counseling
- Medical bills
- Any other losses related to a death
Recipients of indemnity benefits may be a spouse, child or parent of the deceased.
Do Insurance Companies Ever Deny Double Indemnity Benefits?
Yes, they do. Insurance companies may cite one or more reasons for denying a claim. Insurance policies may void indemnity benefits if:
- The deceased was impaired at the time of their passing.
- The deceased contributed to their own death.
- The deceased died of natural causes.
- A death occurs under any other disqualifying circumstance.
Insurance companies may seek out reasons to deny a claim. Double indemnity benefits can be costly, and insurance companies do not benefit from paying out claims.
Are There Other Options for Seeking Compensation After a Loved One’s Death?
A wrongful death lawsuit may allow you to obtain compensation for a loved one’s death. A lawsuit may provide compensation through a settlement or judgment. The American Bar Association (ABA) notes that a settlement is the more common of these two outcomes.
What Are the Benefits of a Lawsuit?
A lawsuit does not restrain you to the coverage limits of an insurance policy. With a lawsuit, you seek compensation directly from liable parties. You may receive as much compensation as your lawyer can negotiate or win at trial.
A lawsuit may cover losses that an insurance policy does not, like pain and suffering. Insurance companies are generally not a factor in lawsuits, either.
Who Is Liable for a Wrongful Death?
Liability varies from case to case. No two wrongful death cases are alike. A lawyer from our firm can assess liability based on your specific circumstances.
Negligence is generally the standard for liability. Someone is negligent if:
- They owed your loved one a duty of care.
- They breached their duty of care.
- Their breach of duty of care caused your loved one’s death.
Proving this sequence is vital when completing a wrongful death lawsuit. It will be your lawyer’s job to make the case for negligence.
What Are the Duties of a Personal Injury Lawyer?
A personal injury lawyer can complete a wrongful death case. Typically, they will begin by filing an insurance claim, and if they cannot negotiate a fair settlement, they can file a lawsuit and take your case to trial.
A lawyer with our firm can:
Monitor All Relevant Deadlines to Ensure You don’t Forfeit Your Right to Damages
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003 generally allows you two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit. There are exceptions to this statute, though. The sooner you get started on your case, the better. Filing past the statute of limitations may result in the court dismissing your case.
Claims seeking double indemnity benefits may also involve deadlines. Our team can identify and abide by any such deadlines as long as you call us in time.
Evaluate Your Losses so We Know What a Fair Settlement Amount Looks Like
Losses are crucial to both insurance claims and lawsuits. It is our firm’s duty to:
- Identify each of your losses
- Project future losses
- Assign a value to each loss
- Seek documentation of your losses
Your losses dictate how much compensation we seek for you, so we make sure to account for future losses, as well.
Protect You from Insurance Companies and the Other Party’s Lawyers
A lawyer’s primary duty is to protect your rights. We can do this by:
- Handling all direct communications with insurance representatives and attorneys
- Reviewing any written and oral statements that you make
- Advising you on any interactions with these parties
- Advising you to reject any unfair compensation offers
Insurance companies and attorneys may pressure you to accept less than you deserve. We can ensure that they do not undermine your rights.
Call Loncar Lyon Jenkins to Get Started on Your Wrongful Death Case
Call in the Strong Arm today. Our team knows the great cost of losing a loved one, and we want to see how we can help your family.
Call Loncar Lyon Jenkins today at (877) 239-4878 for a free consultation. There are no obligations when you call, and we can provide valuable information for you and your loved ones.
