What is the life insurance contestability period and how does it work?

The contestability period is a window — typically 2 years from the policy issue date — during which an insurance carrier can investigate and potentially deny a death claim if the application contained material misrepresentation or fraud. After the contestability period ends, the carrier can only deny claims for specific documented fraud.

What can be contested: if the applicant misrepresented health history, lifestyle, or risk factors (for example, failed to disclose a known medical condition, undisclosed tobacco use, or dangerous activities), the carrier can deny the claim and return premiums during the contestability period.

What cannot be contested after the period ends: once the contestability period expires, the carrier cannot deny a claim based on application misrepresentation for causes other than intentional fraud. The policy is considered incontestable.

For Nevada applicants: complete honesty on the application is the most important protection. A thorough, accurate application eliminates contestability risk entirely. Misrepresentation — even minor omissions — can result in claim denial during the contestability period, leaving your family without the benefit they counted on.

Contestation does not mean denial: the carrier investigates; if the investigation finds no misrepresentation, the claim is paid. Most Nevada life insurance claims — even those investigated during the contestability period — are ultimately paid. Agents in our network can help ensure your application is complete and accurate.