Does Life Insurance Cover Murder: Will the Policy Pay Beneficiaries in Homicide Cases?
When a family loses a loved one to homicide, the emotional devastation is overwhelming. During this deeply tragic time, the surviving family members often rely on life insurance benefits to cover funeral expenses, replace lost income, and stabilize their financial future. But what happens when the insured’s death is ruled a murder? Does life insurance cover homicide—and will the insurer pay the beneficiaries?
As life insurance lawyers who routinely handle denied death claims, we see how complex and stressful homicide-related insurance cases can be. Insurance companies often delay payment, demand additional evidence, or deny claims entirely when murder is involved. Understanding how these cases work—and when to involve a life insurance attorney—can mean the difference between receiving the benefits you’re owed and losing them altogether.
This comprehensive guide explains when life insurance pays for murder, how the slayer rule impacts claims, what happens in murder-suicide situations, and the most common reasons insurers deny benefits after homicide.
Does Life Insurance Pay If the Insured Was Murdered?
In most cases, yes—life insurance covers murder. If the insured is killed due to homicide or manslaughter, the policy generally pays the beneficiary as long as:
The policy has been active for at least two years
The beneficiary was not involved in the murder
There was no material misrepresentation on the application
The vast majority of homicide deaths result in full policy payouts. However, several important legal factors can complicate these claims.
1. The Two-Year Contestability Period
Almost all life insurance policies include a two-year contestability period. If the policyholder is murdered during this time, the insurance company has the right to launch its own investigation, including:
Reviewing the original life insurance application for misrepresentations
Requesting medical records, toxicology reports, and autopsy results
Coordinating with law enforcement
Interviewing beneficiaries and witnesses
During this period, insurers may delay payment until both police and insurance investigations are complete.
2. The Slayer Rule (Slayer Statute)
This is the most important limitation in murder-related claims.
The slayer rule prevents anyone who intentionally kills the insured, or participates in the killing, from receiving life insurance benefits.
If the beneficiary is:
Charged
Arrested
Considered a suspect
Involved in a conspiracy
… then the insurance company must withhold payment until the beneficiary is cleared. If they are proven to be connected to the murder, they forfeit all rights to the death benefit.
In that case, the payout typically goes to:
The contingent beneficiaries, or
The insured’s estate
Even if a beneficiary is not criminally convicted, insurers can still block payment through a civil action, which requires a lower burden of proof than criminal court.
Is Murder Considered Accidental Death?
Many beneficiaries ask whether homicide qualifies for accidental death benefits.
Yes — murder is legally considered accidental death.
“Accidental” means the insured did not intend the event to happen. Because murder is an unforeseen, involuntary act from the insured’s perspective, it qualifies as an accident—even if the killing was premeditated by the perpetrator.
This means that accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) policies may provide additional payouts in homicide cases. If an AD&D claim is denied after a murder, a life insurance denial lawyer can review the case and challenge the insurer’s decision.
Life Insurance Payouts in Murder–Suicide Cases
Murder-suicide cases are incredibly complex and emotionally devastating. They occur when the perpetrator kills one or more victims and then takes their own life. Because multiple deaths are involved, life insurance claims often become tangled in:
Conflicting estate claims
Competing beneficiary disputes
Slayer rule implications
Questions about the order of deaths
Why These Cases Become Complicated
If the murderer was the primary beneficiary, the legal question becomes:
Did the murderer die before or after the insured?
If the perpetrator outlived the victim—even by minutes—his or her estate may claim the life insurance payout. Meanwhile, the victim’s estate and contingent beneficiaries may file competing claims.
How Insurers Handle These Cases
Insurance companies often respond by filing an interpleader action, which means:
The insurer deposits the policy benefit with the court
A judge decides which claimant is legally entitled to the money
The insurer asks the court to award its attorneys’ fees from the policy funds
This can deplete the benefit, leaving families with far less money.
Life insurance attorneys experienced in homicide cases often negotiate pre-interpleader settlements, saving clients time, money, and emotional toll.
Reasons Life Insurance Companies Deny Claims After Murder
While homicide is generally a covered cause of death, insurers deny murder-related claims for several reasons.
1. The Beneficiary Is a Suspect
If the beneficiary is even loosely connected to the murder, the claim will be delayed or denied. Insurers do not need a criminal conviction to refuse payment—they can rely on civil standards of evidence, which are much lower than criminal standards.
Beneficiaries in this situation should immediately contact a life insurance attorney to protect their rights.
2. The Insured Was Committing a Crime
Life insurance exclusions sometimes apply if the insured was killed while participating in:
Drunk driving
Drug activity
Robbery
Gang involvement
Illegal trespassing
Violent criminal acts
Insurers often argue that because the insured engaged in illegal activity, the policy does not have to pay.
3. Suspected Life Insurance Fraud
In some rare cases, the insured or family members stage or plan the murder to obtain life insurance money. If fraud is suspected, claims are suspended until all investigations are complete. If fraud is proven, the insurer will:
Deny payment
Cancel the policy
Potentially seek legal action
What to Do If Your Life Insurance Claim Was Denied Due to Murder
If your claim was delayed or denied due to a homicide investigation, do not try to fight the insurance company alone. Murder-related claims are among the most complex in the life insurance world.
A life insurance attorney can:
Communicate with the insurer on your behalf
Access investigation records
Gather evidence to clear your name
Challenge improper denials
Resolve beneficiary disputes
Fight interpleader actions
File lawsuits if necessary
Our law firm has successfully handled numerous homicide-related life insurance claims. We understand how to navigate the legal and emotional obstacles these cases present—and how to get results.
We Work on a Contingency Fee Basis
You pay nothing upfront.
You owe nothing unless we win.
We only receive a fee once we recover your benefits.
If your claim involves murder, a delay, or a denial, call (888) 510-2212 for a free consultation with a life insurance lawyer. We’re here to help you protect your rights and secure the benefits your loved one intended for you.
