INSURANCE/LIFE: Provides with respect to the denial of life insurance following suicide

HLS 26RS-2707 ENGROSSED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 1180
BY REPRESENTATIVE JORDAN
INSURANCE/LIFE: Provides with respect to the denial of life insurance following suicide
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 22:931.1, relative to life insurance; to prohibit denial of life insurance benefits
3 following suicide; to establish limitations on suicide exclusions; to require notice;
4 and to provide for related matters.
5 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. R.S. 22:931.1 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
7 §931.1. Life insurance policies; suicide exclusions; limitations; notice requirements
8 A. A life insurance policy delivered or issued for delivery in this state may
9 include a suicide exclusion provision; however, no such exclusion shall apply for a
10 period longer than two years from the date of issue of the policy.
11 B. Any suicide exclusion shall be stated in clear, conspicuous, and
12 unambiguous language within the policy. The insurer shall provide written notice
13 to the policyholder at the time of issuance summarizing the exclusion in plain
14 language.
15 C. No life insurer shall deny payment of policy proceeds based on suicide
16 occurring after the expiration of the two-year exclusion period.
17 D. An insurer shall not deny payment of life insurance benefits based on the
18 suicide of the insured when the suicide results from a diagnosed mental health
19 condition.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-2707 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 1180
1 E. Any exclusion permitted in accordance with this Section shall be strictly
2 construed in favor of coverage. The insurer bears the burden of proving the
3 applicability of any suicide-related exclusion.
4 F. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to accidental death and
5 dismemberment policies.
6 G. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to a policy issued to insure
7 the life of a minor.
8 Section 2. This Act shall become effective on January 1, 2027.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 1180 Engrossed 2026 Regular Session Jordan
Abstract: Limits suicide exclusions in life insurance policies to two years and requires
clear notice of any exclusion.
Proposed law authorizes a life insurance policy delivered or issued for delivery in this state
to include a suicide exclusion provision for a period not to exceed two years from the date
of issue of the policy.
Proposed law requires any suicide exclusion to be stated in clear, conspicuous, and
unambiguous language within the policy and requires the insurer to provide written notice
at issuance summarizing the exclusion in plain language.
Proposed law prohibits a life insurer from denying payment of policy proceeds based on
suicide occurring after the expiration of the two-year exclusion period.
Proposed law prohibits denial of benefits when the suicide results from a diagnosed medical
or mental health condition, unless the policy expressly and unambiguously includes such
circumstances within the exclusion.
Proposed law provides that any exclusion permitted in accordance with proposed law shall
be strictly construed in favor of coverage and places the burden of proving applicability of
a suicide-related exclusion on the insurer.
Proposed law does not apply to accidental death and dismemberment policies.
Proposed law does not apply to policies issued for the life insurance of minors.
Effective Jan. 1, 2027.
(Adds R.S. 22:931.1)
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.