Managing Your Policy / How to File a Claim

How to file a death benefit claim

If you're reading this because you've lost someone, we're sorry. This process is more paperwork than complexity — here is a professional, plain breakdown of the general steps, so you know what to expect.

1. Locate the policy

Look for the actual policy document, a declarations page, or a recent premium statement — these usually list the carrier's name and a policy number, which speeds everything up. If you can't find any of that, our guide to finding a lost policy walks through where else to look.

2. Contact the carrier

Call the insurance carrier's claims department directly and let them know you need to file a death benefit claim. Having the policy number ready helps, but most carriers can still look up a policy using the deceased's name and date of birth if you don't have it.

3. Get and complete the claim form

The carrier will send you their specific claim form, either by mail or as a download. It typically asks for information about the deceased, the beneficiary's contact and identification details, and how you'd like the benefit paid out. Fill it out completely — an incomplete form is one of the most common reasons a claim takes longer than it needs to.

4. Provide a certified death certificate

Carriers generally require a certified copy of the death certificate — one with an official raised seal or equivalent from the issuing office, not a photocopy. Funeral homes typically help order these, and it's usually worth requesting several certified copies up front, since other institutions (banks, other policies, the estate) often need their own original as well.

5. Submit and wait for review

Once everything is submitted, the carrier reviews the claim before paying it out. They may follow up with additional questions, particularly if the policy is still within its contestability period or if the cause of death needs clarification. Responding promptly to any request keeps things moving.