Insurance contestability period is a short window in which insurance companies can investigate and deny claims. The period is two years in most states and one year in others. It begins as soon as a policy goes into effect.

If a person dies within the contestability period, the life insurance company can investigate whether you gave accurate information on your life insurance application. The company can deny paying the death benefit if he/she lied – even if the cause of death has nothing to do with misrepresentation on your application.