Most life insurance payouts are made within two weeks to two months after the claim is filed — assuming all documents are in order and there are no complications. Insurers begin processing once they receive the death certificate and required forms.
There’s no strict deadline to file a claim, but it’s best to do so promptly. Some policies refer to a “reasonable time” — typically 30 days to a year after the policyholder’s death. Even if a policy mentions a time limit, insurers may still accept late claims with valid reasons. Some beneficiaries delay filing for months or years, especially if they didn’t know about the policy. As long as the policy was active at the time of death, the payout is usually valid — though extended delays can trigger added review or denial if inconsistencies are found.
