How to File a Life Insurance Claim

Summary:Learning how to file an insurance claim after a loved one’s passing may feel overwhelming, but with the right documents and approach, it can be simpler than expected.

Knowing how to file a life insurance claim after a loved one dies is important to help avoid unnecessary delays during an already difficult time. With the correct information and documents in hand, the process can be straightforward and manageable.

In this article:

How to file a death claim

Let's look at how to file a life insurance claim so you can confidently navigate the process and ensure your claim is handled as smoothly as possible.

What you’ll need:

Handling special situations 

How to file your claim

1Ask the agent/producer what documentation the company requires to formally file a claim. Most companies require that you submit a death claim form along with the death certificate. Make sure to ask if there are any other forms you need to fill out and where to send the forms and death certificate.

2Ask the agent/producer about your death-benefit payment options, including frequency, amount, and timing.

3Ask the agent/producer about the best method to submit your claim information. Some companies may require hard copies. Others might accept online claims.

4Submit all required documentation as directed by your agent/producer. Your claim will be paid after the death certificate is received and reviewed by the insurance company. Ask your agent/producer to provide a timeline of the payment process.

State laws on claim timelines

Certain states have rules on how quickly insurers must process and pay claims once all documentation is complete. Understanding these timelines helps beneficiaries know their rights if delays occur.

What can delay a death benefit claim?

In most cases, receiving a death benefit is simple. Denied claims can be appealed with added documentation, such as medical records. Sometimes, death benefits are denied or delayed because:

• The death happened outside of the coverage window. For example, if your loved one had a term life policy but died after the term was over, there would be no benefit from that policy.
• The death happens with the life insurance policy's contestability period. Many life insurance also have a contestability period within the first two years of coverage that gives them the right to investigate a life insurance claim for errors, misrepresentations and cause of death.
• Missing documentation. Without a death certificate from the funeral home and properly filled out paperwork, the life insurance company will not issue your payment.
• Your loved one used some of the policy while they were living, using or reducing the death benefit.
• The death is under investigation. If the circumstances around your loved one's death are questionable, an investigation into their cause of death will delay the issuance of the death certificate, which in turn delays your ability to file a claim for death benefits.
• The death is by suicide. Most life insurance policies will cover deaths by suicide, but some policies may have a 'suicide clause' that prevents death-benefits payouts if the death by suicide happens within a specific time period. A suicide can also delay death benefit claims if the insurer requires an investigation.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What two items are required for a life insurance claim?

When filing a life insurance policy claim, the two items usually required are a death certificate and a claim form. The death certificate is an official document issued by a local government agency that verifies the policyholder's date, time, and cause of death. The life insurance policy claim form, also called a 'request for benefits' form, is available from the insurance company. It must be completed by the life insurance beneficiary.

How soon after a death can you claim life insurance?

The length of time you have to wait to file a claim after your loved one dies depends on how long it takes to get an official death certificate. You must have the death certificate to file a life insurance claim, and it can take two to four weeks to receive this document after submitting your request. The process varies depending on what state and county you live in. If a medical examiner investigates the death, the process can take even longer.

How long after death can you claim life insurance? 

There is no time limit for filing a claim on a life insurance policy. However, life insurance beneficiaries may want to file a claim as soon as they receive the necessary documentation so they can start receiving death benefits.

How long does it take for a life insurance policy claim to pay out?

Once a life insurance beneficiary has filed a claim, it may take between 14 and 60 days for death benefits to be paid out. Some insurers may be able to pay claims within a few days if there are no issues with the claim. Factors that can delay a life insurance policy claim payout include the cause of death, accuracy of the claim documentation, state laws, and insurance company procedures. Some life insurance policies offer a period when the insurer can contest the claim, further delaying payout.

United of Omaha Life Insurance Company pays most claims within 24 hours. Review up-to-date payout timing here.

Looking for comprehensive life insurance coverage? Explore our whole life policies.

Why would an insurance company contest a life insurance policy claim?

There are several reasons why an insurance company may contest, and even deny your life insurance policy claim. Most insurance policies have a contestability period during the first two years of coverage that allows the insurer to further investigate a death benefits claim to ensure there are no errors, misrepresentations about the policyholder's health or suspicious circumstances surrounding the death, such as murder or suicide. Any of these reasons can be cause for the insurer to contest, or even deny, a claim.

Do insurance companies pay death benefits on suicides?

Yes, most insurance companies will pay death benefits on suicides, as long as the death happens outside of the term of the policy's 'suicide clause'. This clause enables the insurer to deny paying death benefits on a life insurance policy if the policyholder dies within a specified timeframe. That period is usually within the first two years after the policy was issued.

What should you do if your life insurance policy claim is denied?

If your life insurance policy is denied, you have the right to file an appeal if you believe the decision was made in error. You should receive a denial letter from the insurance company that outlines why your claim was denied and what steps you need to take to appeal the decision. There may be a time limit for filing an appeal, so it's important to act quickly. You may also want to consult with an attorney if you need help challenging the denial, although you can handle the appeal on your own if it's not too complex. You may need to provide additional documentation, such as medical records and autopsy reports to support your appeal.

*In WA/OR, agent is producer
Consult with a professional tax and/or legal advisor before taking any action that may have tax or legal consequences.