How to File a Life Insurance Claim After a Death

Finding All the Life Insurance Policies

Before you can file a claim, you need to know what policies exist. Life insurance is easy to overlook, especially if the deceased managed their own finances. Start your search here:

Personal files and safe deposit boxes: Check any filing cabinets, fireproof boxes, and safe deposit boxes for policy documents.

Old tax returns: Premium payments for some types of life insurance appear on tax returns or bank statements as recurring payments to insurance companies.

Employer HR department: Many employers provide group term life insurance as a standard benefit — sometimes worth one or two times annual salary — that employees may not even think to mention to their families. Call HR directly and ask.

Mail: Watch incoming mail for the first several months for statements or notices from insurance companies.

MIB Group and NAIC: The MIB Group (formerly Medical Information Bureau) maintains records that can help identify insurers. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) maintains a Life Insurance Policy Locator Service at naic.org — it's free and searches participating companies' records.

Financial accounts: If the deceased had a relationship with a financial advisor, that advisor may know of policies.

Filing the Claim

Contact each insurance company's claims department directly. The number is on the policy or on the company's website. They will send you a claim packet, which typically includes:

• A claimant's statement form
• A request for a certified copy of the death certificate
• Instructions for the specific policy type

Complete the forms carefully and submit everything the company requests. If you're the named beneficiary, the process is straightforward. If there is no named beneficiary, or if the estate is the beneficiary, the proceeds go through probate and you'll need to provide Letters Testamentary.

Payout Options

Life insurance proceeds are generally income-tax-free to the beneficiary. Most insurers offer several payout options:

Lump sum: The full benefit is paid at once. This is often the simplest choice and what most people take.

Installment payments: Regular payments over a set period. The insurer holds the money and pays interest — but note that interest earned on delayed payouts is taxable.

Life annuity: Ongoing payments for the rest of the beneficiary's life, which can be valuable for elderly surviving spouses but typically provides less total value for younger beneficiaries.

Timeline

Most claims are paid within 30 to 60 days of submitting a complete claim package. If a claim isn't paid within that window, follow up in writing. Some states have laws requiring insurers to pay promptly or assess interest on delayed payments.

What to Do If a Claim Is Denied

Common reasons for denial include: the policy lapsed due to non-payment of premiums, the death occurred during a contestability period (typically the first two years of the policy), or the cause of death was excluded (suicide during the contestability period is the most common exclusion).

If a claim is denied, you have the right to appeal. Request the denial in writing with a specific stated reason. Review the policy language carefully. If the denial seems improper, contact your state's Department of Insurance — they can often facilitate resolution. An insurance attorney handles these disputes on contingency in many cases, meaning no upfront cost to you.