How to File a Life Insurance Claim, Step by Step

When someone you love passes away, a life insurance claim can feel like one more hard thing on a long list. The good news: it's usually simpler than people expect.

This guide walks through it step by step, in plain words, so you know what to expect and what to have ready.

Step 1: Find the Policy

Start by finding out which company the policy is with. Look for:

• The policy itself, or letters and statements from the insurance company
• Bank statements showing monthly payments to an insurance company
• Papers from a current or former employer, since many jobs include life insurance
• Notes in a safe place, like a desk drawer or a safe deposit box

If you can't find anything but believe a policy exists, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners has a life insurance policy locator that costs nothing to use. You fill out a form, and participating companies search their records.

Step 2: Gather What You'll Need

Most companies ask for:

• A certified death certificate. The funeral home can order copies for you. Get several, because other offices will want them too.
• The policy number, if you have it.
• The deceased person's full name, date of birth and Social Security number.
• Your own ID and contact information, as the person named on the policy.

Step 3: Contact the Insurance Company

Call the company's claims line or go to its website. Tell them you're filing a death claim. They'll send you a claim form, sometimes called a "claimant's statement," or let you fill it out online.

If more than one person is named on the policy, each one usually files their own part.

If the policy came through work, start with the employer's human resources office. They'll point you to the right place.

Step 4: Fill Out the Claim Form and Send It In

The form asks basic questions about the person who passed and about you. Answer every question, sign it, and send it with the death certificate.

Keep a copy of everything you send. Write down the date, and the name of anyone you speak with.

Step 5: Choose How to Receive the Money

Many companies let you choose:

• All at once, by check or direct deposit
• Payments over time, in monthly or yearly amounts

There's no rush to spend it. It's perfectly fine to place the money in an FDIC-insured bank account (within the FDIC's coverage limits) while you grieve and decide later.

Step 6: Wait for the Review

Once the company has everything it needs, most simple claims are paid within a few weeks. Some take longer, for example when:

• The policy is less than two years old. In the first two years, the company is allowed to review the original application more closely. This is normal and doesn't mean the claim will be denied.
• Paperwork is missing, or the person named on the policy has also passed away.
• The cause of death is still being determined.

If you haven't heard anything in a few weeks, call and ask whether they need anything else.

Common Questions That Slow Things Down

• No one is named on the policy, or the person named has passed away. The money may go to what the person left behind (the estate), which usually means a longer process through the court.
• The person named is a minor. Usually a court or a legal guardian has to be involved. A lawyer can help.
• The policy had stopped because payments weren't made. Ask the company anyway. Sometimes there's a grace period, or a value left over.

A Word About Scams

You never have to pay anyone to file a life insurance claim. Be careful with anyone who calls you first offering to "find" money for a fee, or who asks for your bank information. Call the insurance company directly, using the number on the policy or its official website.

Help Your Own Family Later

If going through this taught you how hard it is to find the papers, you're not alone. A simple gift to your own family is to write down which policies you have, where the papers are and who to call. Then tell the person you've named. Our partner blog has a gentle guide to talking to your kids about your final wishes.

A Simple Next Step

If you've just lost a spouse, our gentle checklist for the first 30 days may help too.

If you're filing a claim on a policy Kevin helped with, call or text (848) 212-8787 and he'll help you through it, step by step. If you'd like to look at your own coverage, in English or Spanish, there's no pressure and no cost for the conversation. Pick a time that works for you.

Kevin is a licensed life insurance agent in New Jersey and Georgia. This article is general education, not legal or tax advice. Each insurance company has its own claim process and forms.

FAQs: Filing a Life Insurance Claim

This article is general education, not tax, legal or investment advice. Rules and numbers can change, so check your own situation before you decide.

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