How to Claim a Life Insurance Policy?

Losing a loved one is one of the hardest things a family can experience. The last thing you want to navigate is complicated insurance paperwork. The good news: filing a life insurance claim is more straightforward than most people expect as long as you know the steps. This guide walks you through exactly how to claim a life insurance policy, from the moment a loved one passes to the day the funds arrive.

Step 1: Locate the Policy

Before you can file a claim, you need to find the actual policy document. Check the following places: 

• A home filing cabinet, safe, or lockbox
• Email accounts — policies are increasingly issued digitally
• Bank safe deposit boxes
• The insured's financial records or email inbox
• Contact their insurance agent or financial advisor

If you cannot locate the policy, contact the insurer directly. You can also search the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Life Insurance Policy Locator tool at eapps.naic.org, which helps identify policies for deceased individuals.

Step 2: Obtain Multiple Certified Copies of the Death Certificate

You will need official, certified copies of the death certificate, not photocopies. Most insurers require one certified original copy per policy claim. Request at least five to eight copies from the county vital records office or funeral home, as you may need them for multiple financial institutions simultaneously.

Step 3: Contact the Insurance Company

Call the insurer's claims department directly using the number on the policy or the insurer's website. Do not use a third party to initiate the claim, go directly to the source. You'll typically need to provide: 

• The policy number
• The insured's full legal name and date of birth
• The date of death
• Your name and relationship to the deceased

The insurer will then send you a claim form, sometimes called a Statement of Claimant form.

Step 4: Complete and Submit the Claim Form

The claim form asks for your personal information as beneficiary, the circumstances of death, and how you'd like to receive the payout (lump sum, installments, or retained asset account). Fill it out completely and accurately. Incomplete forms are the most common cause of delays. Submit the following together: 

• Completed claim form
• Certified death certificate
• Original policy document (if available)
• Any additional documentation requested by the insurer (e.g., medical records for certain causes of death)

Step 5: Wait for Processing

Most insurers process straightforward claims within 14 to 30 days of receiving complete documentation. More complex claims, involving large benefit amounts, contested beneficiaries, or deaths under investigation, can take 60 to 90 days or longer. If you do not receive a response within 30 days of submission, follow up in writing to create a paper trail.

Step 6: Receive the Death Benefit

Once approved, the death benefit is paid directly to you as beneficiary, tax-free in most cases under IRS guidelines. You choose how to receive it: lump sum, annuity, or another arrangement depending on your policy's options.

What If Your Claim is Denied?

Claim denials are not the end. Common reasons include policy lapse due to missed premiums, the contestability period (typically the first two years of a policy), or a misrepresentation on the original application. If denied, request the denial in writing and consult an insurance attorney or your state's Department of Insurance.

How Life Insured By Chris Can Help?

If you purchased your policy through Life Insured By Chris, we advocate for you throughout the claims process. As your independent brokerage, we have relationships with 30+ top-rated carriers and can help you navigate the claim quickly and correctly, especially during one of life's most difficult moments.