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If you’re a life insurance beneficiary, you might think a check will arrive in the mail after the insured person dies. But unfortunately, insurance companies don't always have an obligation to inform you if you’re a beneficiary. This means you need to be proactive to get your payout.
Life insurance companies paid out $89 billion to beneficiaries in the U.S. in 2023, according to the American Council of Life Insurers.
Here's how to file a life insurance claim and get the money your loved one left to you.
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How to tell if you’re a life insurance beneficiary
It's important to have conversations with your loved ones about estate planning — including any life insurance policies that are active. Ask your spouse or close family members about whether you’re a life insurance beneficiary, and if so, which company the policy is with.
If the deceased was retired or still working, they may have had group life insurance or supplemental life insurance through the workplace. In this case, when the employer finds out that a worker has died, the benefits department will likely contact any beneficiaries.
If you suspect you’re a beneficiary of a person who has since passed, you could try contacting their insurance agent or financial advisor if you have those details.
Beyond raiding safety deposit boxes or fire safes, there are also a few ways to find a lost life insurance policy, including policy locator tools and unclaimed property programs.
How to file a claim for life insurance
Here are the key steps in the life insurance claims process you’ll need to follow.
Step 1: Find the life insurance company name.
You don’t need the policy in hand to make a claim, or even the life insurance policy number. If you know the name of the company, the policy number can be looked up for you. The agent who sold the policy or your loved one’s financial advisor may also be able to help you find the company or policy.
For group life insurance, you can contact the deceased’s employer for more information. For instance for federal employees, once you report the death, the employer or HR department usually reaches out with a life insurance claim form.
Step 2: Get a certified copy of the death certificate.
You’ll need to supply the death certificate when you submit your claim. You can request a copy from your local vital records office or the funeral home. Proof of death helps to prevent life insurance fraud and make sure payouts go to the right people.
Step 3: Collect supporting documents.
In addition to a copy of the death certificate, you may be asked to provide some or all of the following information about the insured person.
- Full name
- Address
- Date of birth
- Social security number
- Copy of the autopsy, toxicology or police report
Step 4: Fill out the company’s claim paperwork.
Many life insurance companies, including MetLife, Guardian Life and Allstate, have online claim forms. With other insurers, you’ll need to call to start the claims process, or request a claims packet by mail. It’s important to fill out the paperwork as fully and honestly as possible.
Step 5: Send in the paperwork.
Claim forms ask for basic details, like your full name, address, date of birth and Social Security number. You’ll also need to explain your relationship to the policyholder and how you’d like to be paid.
Step 6: Wait for the money.
Insurers usually process life insurance claims within 30 days of receiving the paperwork. There are some cases where the payout might be delayed, such as if the person died within two years of taking out the policy. This is known as the “contestability period,” and it gives insurers the right to investigate the claim.
Did you know? In addition to life insurance money, spouses, former spouses and minor or disabled children of a deceased person may also be entitled to Social Security survivor benefits.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
If there are multiple beneficiaries, each person or entity typically must submit their own claims packet. The life insurance company will assess and pay out claims as it receives them. What to do if your life insurance claim is denied
When a life insurance claim is denied, you’ll usually be sent a formal letter that outlines specific reasons for the denial. Review it carefully and gather any supporting documentation that you might need to file an appeal.
A few of the most common reasons life insurance claims may be denied include failure to pay premiums or if the policyholder died during the waiting period. Some policies may have a waiting period of up to two years between when coverage begins and when a death benefit can be paid out.
For complicated cases, you may also want to consider contacting an attorney who specializes in insurance law or reach out to your state insurance board or your state’s department of insurance.
Ways to receive a life insurance payout
There are two main ways to receive a life insurance death benefit, which is the money you're owed from a life insurance claim:
In a lump sum. You can request a check with the full amount. The insurer may also offer you a draft account, known as a "retained asset account". Much like a checking account, this allows you to withdraw money any time, in any amount, until the account has been cleared. Generally, life insurance payouts are not taxable income.
In installments over time. The insurer will hold the money and may offer you some of these choices which vary by company:
- Interest payments. The insurer pays you regular interest on the balance. The claim money may go to your estate upon your death. Check the insurer’s rules to find out if you also have the option to withdraw from the death benefit.
- Fixed period. The insurer makes regular payments on the death benefit and interest for a specified period.
- Fixed amount. The insurer pays a defined amount at regular intervals until the payout and interest are exhausted.
- Life income. The payout gets converted into an annual payment that provides regular income for the rest of your life.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can you claim life insurance money while you’re still alive?
Yes, but it depends what kind of life insurance you have. Term life insurance policies can have a rider called an accelerated death benefit that only allows access to part of the death benefit due to terminal illness. Permanent life insurance like whole or universal policies have a cash value that can be borrowed against or withdrawn while the insured is still alive.
How long after a death can you submit a life insurance claim?
While it’s best to file a claim as soon as possible, life insurance policies don’t have a deadline for submitting a claim. Provided the policy didn’t lapse, you can submit a claim anytime after a loved one passes, whether it’s within two weeks or two years. However, death benefits that remain unclaimed eventually get turned over to the state’s unclaimed property office.
What are the two things you need to have to file a life insurance claim?
In general, you’ll need two specific things to get a life insurance claim started. The first is the life insurance claim form, which asks for some personal information about the deceased and your relationship to them. The only other documentation you’ll need is a certified copy of the death certificate.
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- 1. American Council of Life Insurers. 2024 Life Insurance Fact Book: Expenditures. Accessed Jul 11, 2025.
