Though it might feel overwhelming, start by simply notifying the agency.
Thinking about money when a loved one passes away is difficult, but the policyholder bought life insurance with the intention of protecting the people left behind. In a way, collecting the benefit is a necessary part of carrying out their wishes. If you’re a beneficiary, getting in touch with the insurance company may be all it takes to get started.
How to make a life insurance claim
Claiming a benefit is relatively straightforward. Follow these steps to make your claim:
Are there reasons my claim might be rejected?
The life insurance company can legally reject your claim in the following scenarios:
- Type of death wasn’t covered in the policy. Some types of death — such as suicide or death during an illegal activity — may not be covered. But this depends on the details of the specific policy.
- Death happened within the contestability period. Most policies have a contestability period that remains in place for two years after the plan has been purchased. If the policyholder dies before then, the insurance company can launch an investigation and even deny the claim, whether or not the investigation uncovers fraud.
- Dishonesty during the application process. If fraud is discovered after the policyholder’s death — for instance, if the person lied about smoking on the application but died of smoking-related reasons — then the insurance agency can deny the claim.
- Policyholder failed to make monthly payments. A policy must be active for a beneficiary to receive the benefit. So if the policyholder had lapsed payments, it could have been terminated.
How do I know if I’m a beneficiary?
The most straightforward way to determine your beneficiary status is to ask the policyholder while he or she is still living.
But according to USA Today, there are billions of dollars of life insurance benefits that have never been paid. If the suspected policyholder has died, these steps can help you determine if one of those payouts might be yours.
- Look for the paperwork. If you’re managing the estate of a loved one, looking through personal files or old insurance statements can be a simple way of finding the policy and inquiring about your status as a beneficiary.
- Search online. Databases exist that can help you search unclaimed benefits. The Medical Information Bureau (MIB) is a database that tracks insurance applications. While there’s a $75 fee to run the search, it may be worth it if you think you have an unclaimed benefit.
- Ask the state. Each state has a collection of unclaimed funds and property. Search for unclaimed property by going to unclaimed.org, choosing your state and clicking search unclaimed property.
- Find a connection. Did the policyholder have an accountant or estate planner who might have information about the policy? What about a former employer? If the life insurance was purchased through the policyholder’s workplace, they might have valuable information about the policy.
Have the full legal name of the suspected policyholder on hand, as well as their Social Security number and address if you can find it.
What’s the difference between a primary and secondary beneficiary?
The primary beneficiary is the first person chosen to receive the benefit payout. If the primary beneficiary can’t or won’t accept the payout, it goes to the secondary — or contingent — beneficiary.
Will I be paid out immediately?
Generally, insurers have 30 to 60 days to review a claim and pay it. Some states have laws in place to regulate this, and insurance companies can even face the threat of accumulating interest if they take too long.
Whether or not you receive the lump sum all at once depends on which payout method the policyholder chose. Sometimes, the benefit will come in installments or annuities, which will be paid out over the beneficiary’s lifetime.
Looking to leave a legacy? Compare life insurance policies today
Bottom line
While filing a life insurance claim can understandably feel like a weight on your shoulders, the process isn’t meant to be complicated. Talking to the company that issued the policy is the best way to get started.
To find out more about life insurance and how it works, read our guide.