In this guide
To file a life insurance claim, the beneficiary contacts the insurer, completes a claim form and sends a certified copy of the death certificate. If you do not know whether the person had a policy, the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator, a free service, can ask participating insurers to search. Timing and requirements differ by insurer and state, so ask the insurer what it needs.
Key takeaways
- The beneficiary named on the policy files the claim, usually with a claim form and a certified death certificate.
- If you cannot find the policy, the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator is a free tool. The NAIC does not hold policy data. It asks participating insurers to search their records.
- Many claims are paid within weeks, but contestable or complex claims may take longer and require extra documents.
- You generally do not need an attorney for a straightforward claim, and you should be wary of anyone charging fees to find or file one.
- If a claim is denied, you can ask for the reason in writing, appeal and contact your state insurance department.
Good to know: This is general education, not legal advice. If you are dealing with a loss, you may not have to do everything at once. The steps below can be done at your own pace, and your state insurance department can help with questions.
Step 1: Find out whether there is a policy
If you know the insurer, you can skip to step 2. If not, look for:
- Paper policies, annual statements or premium notices in files and safe deposit boxes.
- Bank statements showing premium payments to an insurer.
- Employer benefits records, since workplace policies are common. See group life vs. individual life insurance.
- Emails, tax records and the insured's agent or financial adviser.
The NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator
The NAIC, the association of state insurance regulators, runs a free Life Insurance Policy Locator. Based on the NAIC's own description:
- It is for people searching for a deceased person's life insurance policy or annuity, such as an executor or a possible beneficiary.
- You submit a request through a secure online form and get a confirmation email.
- Participating insurers search their records. If a policy exists and you are the beneficiary, the insurer contacts you directly. If nothing is found, or you are not the beneficiary, you generally will not hear back.
- The NAIC says searches can take at least 90 business days, so start early if you are in no rush for results, and keep looking in other ways.
- Insurers participate voluntarily, so it may not find every policy. It also does not search for policies on people who are still living.
Also search your state's unclaimed property office, which may hold life insurance proceeds that insurers could not deliver.
Watch out: State insurance departments and the NAIC do not charge for the locator. Be cautious of companies that ask for a fee to find a policy on your behalf.
Step 2: Gather what you need
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of the death certificate | Proof of death. Funeral homes can often order extra copies, which many institutions require. |
| Policy number and insurer name | Helps the insurer find the policy. If you do not have the number, the insured's name, date of birth and Social Security number may be enough. |
| Your identification and contact information | To verify you are the beneficiary. |
| Claimant's statement (claim form) | Supplied by the insurer. |
| Payment preferences | Lump sum, installments or another settlement option, if offered. |
Step 3: Contact the insurer and submit the claim
- Call the insurer or its claims department, or use its website. Say you are a beneficiary and wish to file a death claim.
- Ask what forms and documents are required, and how to submit them.
- Complete the claimant's statement, and sign where required.
- Send the certified death certificate and any other documents requested, keeping copies.
- Ask for written confirmation that the claim was received, and note the claim number and contact person.
If there are several beneficiaries, each usually files a separate claim form and receives their share. See life insurance beneficiaries for how shares and contingent beneficiaries work.
Step 4: Choose how to receive the money
Many insurers offer a lump sum, and some offer installments or other options. If the insurer holds the money and pays interest, the interest may be taxable even though the death benefit generally is not; see are life insurance payouts taxable?. Take your time with this choice, and consider asking a financial or tax professional.
How long does it take?
There is no single timeline. Insurers typically review the claim, confirm the policy was in force and verify the beneficiary, and then pay. Straightforward claims are often resolved within a few weeks of receiving complete paperwork. State laws set requirements for how quickly insurers must act and when interest is owed on late payments, and those rules vary. Ask the insurer or your state insurance department about the rules where the claim is filed.
What can delay a claim
- Death soon after the policy started. Policies usually have a contestability period, commonly two years, during which the insurer may review the application more closely. The details are in the policy and state law.
- Missing or unclear documents. Such as an uncertified death certificate or an incomplete form.
- Beneficiary disputes. Competing claims, an unclear designation, or a beneficiary who cannot be found.
- Cause of death under investigation. Or deaths outside the US or in unusual circumstances.
- Lapsed or modified policy. If premiums were unpaid, the insurer will check the status and any grace period.
If the claim is denied or reduced
- Ask for the denial in writing, including the specific policy provision cited.
- Review the policy and the application to see whether the reason fits.
- Appeal to the insurer, adding any documents that address the stated reason.
- Contact your state insurance department. It can answer questions and take consumer complaints.
- Consider legal advice for large or disputed claims.
Tip: If you are planning ahead rather than claiming, tell your beneficiaries which insurer holds the policy and where the papers are. Keeping that in a known place can save your family months. See how to buy life insurance for the full process.
Frequently asked questions
Who can file a life insurance claim?
The beneficiary named on the policy. If there is no living beneficiary, the proceeds may go to the estate, and the executor may file.
What do I need to claim life insurance?
Usually a certified death certificate, the insurer's claim form, identification, and the policy number if you have it. The insurer will tell you what else is required.
Is the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator free?
Yes. It is a free tool from the NAIC. It does not hold policy information itself; it asks participating insurers to search their records.
Do I need a lawyer to file a life insurance claim?
Not for most simple claims. If the claim is denied, disputed or complicated by competing beneficiaries or an estate issue, legal advice may help.
What if the insured died within two years of buying the policy?
The insurer may review the application more closely during the contestability period. Policies and state laws vary, so check the policy and ask the insurer.
Sources
- NAIC – Life Insurance Policy Locator
- NAIC – Life Insurance Policy Locator tool news release
- NAIC – Life Insurance (Consumer guide)
- Insurance Information Institute – 8 smart steps for buying life insurance
General information only. This guide explains general concepts and is not insurance, legal or financial advice. Rules and prices vary by state and insurer. Check your policy documents and speak to a licensed insurance professional or your state insurance department about your situation.