A life insurance claim is how beneficiaries receive death benefits after a policyholder dies. The process involves submitting documentation to the insurer, who reviews the claim and pays approved benefits within weeks.
Updated: February 23, 2026
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Life insurance claims require a policy number, certified death certificate and completed beneficiary forms before insurers process payments.
You can choose lump sum payments for immediate needs or annuity options that provide regular income over time based on your financial situation.
Most insurers pay death benefits within 14 to 60 days when beneficiaries submit complete documentation through online portals, phone or mail.
Death benefit amounts and processing times vary by insurer and policy terms. Consult your specific policy documents for exact coverage details.
A life insurance claim is a request to receive the death benefit after the policyholder's death. The death benefit provides financial security to help cover funeral costs, pay off debt and replace lost income for surviving family members.
Beneficiaries must submit a certified death certificate and completed claim forms to the insurance company. The insurance company reviews the documentation and verifies the claim before releasing the death benefit payment.
Filing a life insurance claim involves five steps: locate the policy, get death certificates, contact the insurer, complete claim forms and choose your payout method. MoneyGeek analyzed the claims processes from major insurers to identify best practices that help beneficiaries receive funds quickly.
Locate the life insurance policy of the deceased. Policy documents contain the insurer's contact information and coverage details you need to start the claim. Look in safe deposit boxes, file cabinets, digital records and estate planning documents for the policy paperwork.
If you can't find the policy, contact the deceased's financial advisor, estate attorney or insurance agent for help. Employer-sponsored coverage records are available through the HR department for group life insurance benefits. Use the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Life Insurance Policy Locator to search for unknown policies. Check state unclaimed property databases for benefits you didn't know existed.
Insurers need certified death certificates that show the cause and manner of death before processing claims. Get multiple copies because each insurer needs an original certified copy. Order death certificates from the funeral director, local vital records office or county health department in the state where death occurred.
Order at least three to five certified copies to submit to insurers, banks and other institutions that need proof of death. You may need to pay a fee for each copy of the certificate, with costs varying by state.
Call the insurer's customer service or claims department as soon as you have the policy information. Most insurers let you file claims online, by phone or by mail. The insurance company assigns a claims specialist to guide you through the process and answer questions about documentation requirements.
Provide the policy number if available, along with the insured's full name, date of birth, date of death and your relationship to the deceased. Ask about required documentation, processing timelines and available payout options during your first conversation.
Fill out the beneficiary claim form with policy details, death information and your payout preferences. The form asks for your full name, address, Social Security number, relationship to the policyholder and cause of death. Submit the completed form with a certified death certificate attached.
Additional documents insurers may request include policy documents if you have them, proof of your identity like a driver's license or passport, and a marriage certificate or birth certificate showing your relationship to the deceased. Submit everything at once to avoid delays.
Double-check all information for accuracy because errors slow processing. Keep copies of everything you submit for your records. Follow up with the insurer after one to two weeks to confirm it received your paperwork and ask about next steps.
Claims filed within the first two years of the policy may need additional review during the contestability period. Accidental death claims need police reports or accident reports. If a life insurance trust or estate is the beneficiary, provide additional legal documentation showing you have authority to file.
Insurers offer several ways to receive the death benefit. The right choice depends on your immediate financial needs and long-term goals.
You receive the entire death benefit at once through direct deposit or check. Funds are available within days of claim approval. This option works best for immediate financial needs like funeral costs, mortgage payments or debt repayment.
You receive fixed payments for the remainder of your life. The insurance company calculates payment amounts based on the death benefit size and your life expectancy. This option provides long-term financial security and can supplement retirement income.
The insurer spreads payments over a fixed period, like 10 years or 20 years. Payment amounts are higher than those for life income annuities because payments end after the specified timeframe rather than continuing for life.
The death benefit stays in an interest-bearing account with the insurer and you write checks as needed. Funds continue earning interest until you withdraw them. This option gives you time to decide how to use the money while earning returns.
Talk to a tax professional about how different payout methods affect your tax situation. Many insurers let you choose your payout method after claim approval, so you don't need to decide immediately.
The policyholder designates beneficiaries when buying coverage or updates them later through the insurer. Primary beneficiaries have first rights to the death benefit. Contingent beneficiaries can file claims when primary beneficiaries die before the policyholder or disclaim their rights to the benefit. The policy lists contingent beneficiaries as backup recipients if primary beneficiaries can't collect.
Minor children named as beneficiaries can't file claims directly. The insurance company pays death benefits to a court-appointed guardian or trustee who manages funds for the child until they reach legal age. Parents should name an adult trustee in their policy to avoid court involvement.
If the policyholder names their estate as beneficiary or dies without naming anyone, the estate executor files the claim. Estate beneficiary designations cause delays because the claim goes through probate court before payment. Death benefits paid to estates are also subject to creditors' claims against the deceased's debts.
Multiple beneficiaries split the death benefit according to percentages assigned in the policy. Each beneficiary files a separate claim for their share. If one primary beneficiary dies, surviving primary beneficiaries split that person's share unless the policy states otherwise.
Life insurance claims typically take 14 to 60 days from filing to payment, but processing times vary by situation, cause of death, and insurer procedures.
Complete documentation speeds approval, while missing paperwork causes delays. Electronic submissions through online portals process faster than mail. Natural causes of death are reviewed quicker than accidents or deaths during the contestability period. Claims filed during the first two years of coverage need additional investigation.
Stay in contact with your insurer to check claim status. Most insurers offer online portals or phone numbers for status updates. Call the claims department for an explanation and estimated timeline if your claim passes 60 days without approval.
State regulations set maximum processing timelines. Requirements for interest on delayed claims differ by state. Check your state insurance department website for specific regulations in your area.
Read the denial letter because it outlines specific reasons for denial and relevant policy provisions. Common reasons a life insurance claim is denied include policy lapses from nonpayment, material misrepresentation on the application, exclusions for specific causes of death and deaths during the contestability period.
Contact the claims department immediately to request clarification on the denial reasons. Gather supporting evidence like payment records, medical records and correspondence with the insurer. Submit a formal appeal that includes a copy of the denial letter and additional documentation that addresses each denial reason. Follow the insurer's appeals process exactly as outlined in the denial letter.
Request your complete claim file to look for errors or contradictions in the decision. File a complaint with your state insurance department for regulatory oversight if the insurer won't reconsider. Consult a life insurance attorney if your appeal is unsuccessful and you believe the denial is wrong.
Filing a life insurance claim includes locating the policy, getting certified death certificates, contacting the insurance company, completing claim forms and choosing your payout method. Most claims are approved and paid within 14 to 60 days when beneficiaries submit proper documentation.
You have the right to a fair review, timely processing and appeals if your claim is denied. File early with complete paperwork for the fastest payment.
Most insurers don't set time limits for filing death benefit claims, but file as soon as possible after death. Delays can complicate the process and postpone financial support.
Beneficiaries don't pay federal income tax on life insurance death benefits. Interest earned on delayed payments or retained asset accounts is taxable income.
Your policy lapses if you miss life insurance premium payments and the grace period expires. Lapsed policies pay no death benefits unless the policyholder reinstates coverage before death.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
