Call the insurer, send a claim form and a certified death certificate, and wait. Most insurers pay within about 30 days after they get all the paperwork.
First, find the insurance company. You do not need the policy in hand. The company can look it up. For work coverage, call the employer.
Get a certified copy of the death certificate. The funeral home or local vital records office can help.
Fill out the claim form fully. Each beneficiary usually sends in their own claim.
Most claims are paid in about 30 days. If the death was in the first two years of the policy, the insurer may take longer to review it.
States set rules too. In Texas, insurers must pay within two months of getting proof of death. Some states make insurers pay interest if they are late.
- Claim form
- Certified death certificate
- Name, birth date and Social Security number of the insured
- The policy or a lost policy form
- Autopsy or police report if asked
More questions
Is there a deadline to file?
No set deadline. But unclaimed money is turned over to the state after a while, so file soon.
How will I get paid?
Usually a lump sum. Some insurers offer payments over time.
What if the claim is denied?
The letter will say why. You can appeal, talk to a lawyer or call your state insurance department.
Words to know
- Beneficiary
- The person you name to get the death benefit when you die. You can name more than one.
