The Hardest Call I Ever Had to Make as a Life Insurance Analyst

I’ve made thousands of calls in my career. Some were routine. Some were tough. But this one? This one still sits with me.

A pilot’s wife, just 34 years old, a mother of six—her youngest only six months old, her oldest 12 years old—died unexpectedly.

She was a Sunday school teacher. She homeschooled all of her children.

And now, just like that… she was gone.

Her husband, now a widower and single father of six, filed her life insurance claim, assuming it would be straightforward.

✔ He had coverage through his employer.

✔ His premiums were paid.

✔ His wife was an active dependent on his policy.

So, in his mind? This should have been simple. But then came the shock.

🚨 Her claim was delayed due to the contestability clause.

And I had to be the one to tell him.

What’s the Contestability Clause?

If someone passes away within two years of enrolling in their life insurance policy, the insurance company has the right to contest the claim.

What does that mean?

🔹 They assume you checked ‘yes’ on every health question.

🔹 Now, they want proof that what you stated on the application was true.

🔹 This requires obtaining medical records from every doctor the deceased has seen in the last 5 years.

And here’s what people don’t realize: this is not a quick process. If you’ve ever tried to get a doctor’s office on the phone, you already know… we’re on THEIR time now.

The typical turnaround for this process? Six months to a YEAR.

The Hardest Call I Had to Make

I had to pick up the phone and explain to a grieving father of six why his wife’s life insurance was delayed.

💔 He didn’t understand. He thought he had done everything right.

💔 He had no idea this was even a thing.

💔 And every time we spoke? He cried.

And when a man breaks down like that? It hits different.

He wasn’t just mourning his wife—He was trying to figure out how to survive.

💔 Could he still work as a pilot, being away from home for months at a time?

💔 Would he have to send his kids to public school after being homeschooled their whole lives?

💔 Who could he lean on for help?

It took almost a year to finally process his claim. And when it was done? He was so grateful.

But I still think of him. I still pray for him and his children.

The Lesson? Read Your Policy Before It’s Too Late.

He had no idea what the contestability clause was.

❌ He never read his policy.

❌ His employer never walked him through it (and to be fair, that’s not their job).

❌ He thought life insurance was just a "sign up and you’re covered" type of deal.

But here we were.

💡 This is why you need to read your policy.

💡 Not just to know what you’ve signed up for—but to understand the process if things don’t go as planned.

💡 Because when you’re grieving, the last thing you need is another unexpected roadblock.

Here’s What You Need to Do TODAY:

✔ Review your policy. Read it like your family’s future depends on it—because it does.

✔ Understand your contestability period. If you’re within the first two years, be extra mindful.

✔ Talk to your beneficiary. Make sure they know what to expect if the time ever comes.

Your employer won’t remind you. The insurance company won’t hold your hand. It’s on you to make sure your family is protected.

📢 When’s the last time you actually read your policy front to back?