When a loved one passes away, the last thing that anyone wants to worry about is a life insurance company delaying payment unfairly on a claim to the death benefit. Major companies are usually very expeditious in their handling of death claims today, and most are paid within 30 days of the death of the insured. A claim rarely takes more than 60 days after death to be processed by a life insurance company (assuming they have what they need to pay the claim) If all documents are in order, and a claim is straightforward, it can be processed and money can be paid in as little as 10 to 14 days.
How long does it take for life insurance to pay out? How long does a life insurance claim take? The exact amount of time it takes will depend upon the company, the laws in your specific state, and the speed at which you turn in all of the claim requirements to the life insurance company. Continue reading for a further description of how long it takes insurance companies to pay out, how claims are handled, and to learn how to get your claim paid as quickly as possible.
Each State Has Different Laws
Every State individually regulates life insurance companies operating within their jurisdictions. To learn the rules in your specific state regarding the handling of claims and to see how long your life insurance claim will take, read our state page section. While each state has separate rules regarding the maximum amount of time that a life insurance can take to process a claim, most companies will pay claims faster if the right steps are taken.
How to Get Claims Paid Fast
There are some important steps that you can take as a beneficiary to have your death claim paid as quickly as possible. Do have some patience during the claims process. Not every claim will be handled immediately, life insurance companies must still process each claim very carefully, which does take some time. Life insurance companies always make sure that a claim is valid, and that there are no attempts at fraud. If a company pays out on fraudulent claims it costs all policyholders more money, so owners should be happy that companies are careful when they pay claims. Read on to learn how to make your life insurance claim as fast as possible.
Have the Death Certificate Ready
Life insurance companies will require a death certificate which gives proof that the insured person is deceased. Most companies will require an original death certificate (not a copy) and they do not return this. To expedite the process of a claim, order enough death certificates to provide an original copy to each life insurance company.
Contact Your Life Insurance Company Immediately
The time immediately following a death can be extremely difficult. Not only are their many logistics to take care of (ie funeral arrangements) but it is a very difficult time emotionally. It is still very important to contact your life insurance company immediately. You have two options for contacting your life insurance company.
- You can call the company directly. Every company has 1-800 numbers for service listed on their website, and it should also be on the physical policy as well. You can call their service line, who will then probably direct you to a claim specific specialist, or if you can find a number for the claims department directly you can contact them. A company can send each beneficiary the claim form directly. They will apprise you of all requirements, and give you a mailing address to send all information to the company. They can also walk you through the full claims process, so you can know what to expect at each step.
- You can also call your agent. Your agent can notify the company directly, and facilitate the claims process himself. You will still need to fill in the claims paperwork even if the agent is involved. Only the beneficiaries can legally sign the claim paperwork. Whether the agent is involved or not, all of the same claim requirements will still need to be sent to the life insurance company.
Usually, it makes sense to notify both your agent and your life insurance company yourself. If your agent is going to help you handle the claim, notify the company of this when you speak with them. Oftentimes the fastest way for the beneficiary to get the claims paperwork is to have the company send it directly to them. If you have questions on how to fill out the paperwork, the agent may be the best resource. Do not delay in notifying both your agent and the life insurance company.
Make Sure That You Have All Requirements the First Time
After you have received and filled out your claim paperwork, make sure that all supporting documentation is attached. Usually, the company will require 3 items: the claim form, the original death certificate, and possibly the original policy. If you do not have an original policy, don’t panic. Notify the life insurance company and they will work with you. Even if you do not have the policy the company is still legally required to pay the claim (if valid).
If the life insurance has any further requirements regarding the claim they will notify you of this. If a beneficiary or multiple beneficiaries are no longer living, for instance, they may require a copy of a death certificate for the deceased beneficiaries. They may also require certain instructions regarding how the claim is to be paid, (ie in one lump sum or as an annuity), and if the claim is a homicide a police report may be required.
Whatever your requirements are, be clear that you have all that the life insurance company requires before you submit your claim paperwork. This will help the processing go as quickly as possible.
What Can Slow a Claim Down
The Claim Happens During the Contestable Period
The first two years after a policy is issued is known as the contestable period. If a claim is filed during this period, the life insurance company may decide to review medical records further. The company will be looking to make sure that all representations made on the life insurance application were true. If the insured person did not tell the truth regarding their health, the company may have the right to contest the claim.
After the contestable period expires, they will not review the records further and the claim will be paid faster.
Not Having All Documents in Order
This is the most common reason that the processing of a claim is slowed. Make sure that all documents are filled out fully, that the death certificate is original, and that all supporting documentation is provided.
The Life Insurance Company Has a Backlog
Today, companies are well-staffed in their claims department and they have the ability to handle excess capacity. Even so, it is possible that a small backlog could delay processing by a few days. This would never account for any extended or undue delays. If you suspect that a company is withholding your claim unfairly, contact your state insurance department immediately.
Claim Information for Select Life Insurance Companies
- New York Life – https://www.newyorklife.com/claims
- Met Life – https://www.metlife.com/insurance/life-insurance/service-and-claims/
- Prudential – https://www.prudential.com/personal/life-insurance
- Northwestern Mutual – https://www.northwesternmutual.com/forms/
- AARP (through New York Life) – http://www.nylaarp.com/Life-Insurance/Claims
- American International Group (AIG) – https://www.aig.com/individual/individual-claims
- Securian – https://www.securian.com/benefits/ssl/home.do
What is the status of beneficiary payout for Johnnie M** Mc***** (policy number 002E****). How soon should I expect payment. I’m the beneficiary and I was client’s POA and representative payee.
Hi Patricia,
You will need to check with the insurance company that issued the policy regarding the status. Each state has a different requirement for how quickly the claim must be paid. 30 days is typical for many companies.
My mother passed in March of 2011 and I want to inquire if she had any life insurance policies unknown to me. Is it too late to check? Finally, how do I begin my search?
Thank You
It is not too late to start your search since a life insurance company would still pay out a qualifying claim. Here is our article on the subject. https://www.lifeant.com/faq/how-can-you-find-out-if-somebody-had-a-life-insurance-policy-before-they-died/
My husband made me beneficary of a life insurance policy and I just found out and insurance company asked for a death certificate which I got from the state office of vital statistics I requested the cause to be included but they didn’t reveal the cause because we were divorced…2 questions is that legal to withhold that info and what can I do to get a certificate with the causr
You will need to consult an attorney on these issues.
If 3 of 4 brothers are on an ins policy can the 4rth person contest in Michigan?
Unfortunately no sir. But hopefully the brothers would be genuine enough to break bread with the brother that’s not listed. It’s their choice.
My sister passed January 13, I was sole beneficiary, the funeral home said they would take funeral expenses from life insurance policy and send me, the beneficiary, the remaining amount. I live in Louisiana.Do I need to do any other paperwork ? I’m assuming they have an assignment Thanks
This is fairly normal. Check with your insurance company and funeral home regarding the documentation that they require. It varies company to company.
My husband was a Msgt Special Ops Linguist in the Air Force, he was Honorable Discharged after 20 years. He died on January 19th, 2020 (my birthday). We were Married for 10 years, together 12 years. He was only 57 years old. We refinanced our home in Oct 2019, have lived in our home 9 years, to get the % rate down. We have Mortgage Insurance that was supposed to pay the home off if anything happened to him. My name is on the Deed but not the Mortgage. The reason for that was that if anything happened to him, the home would be paid off and would be mine. The Mortgage Company has been harassing me since Jan 28th. I finally cut of his phone and blocked them on mine. No money has come in from his passing. I am an disability, it is only $540 a month. The Mortgage Company knows that I’m waiting for funds from his estate to come in but they keep sending threatening letters. I have called several Lawyers, I can’t afford them. I’m at the end of my rope, I need help.
Hi Deborah, You may have more time during this coronavirus pandemic because banks are not foreclosing on homes right now. You need to contact the life insurance company and make sure that your death claim is complete, and ask them for a timeline of when the money will be issued. You should keep the mortgage company in the loop if you can. Your priority should be expediting the processing of the death claim though. If you need to involve a local agent from the life insurance company to help you, you can also do that. I would contact the home office immediately though and ask 1. Have you received the death claim? 2. Is the death claim paperwork complete? 3. When will the funds be paid out, and verify how you are to receive them. You also want to make sure that the payout from the life insurance company will payout at least 100% of the remaining principal on the mortgage. If it does not, you may struggle to satisfy the mortgage company. Keep in mind, you can also put the money in your bank account and continue to live in the home, and make regular mortgage payments from the life insurance proceeds. If you run out of money, sell the home and use the proceeds to find housing that you can afford.
I have done all of that, everyone says the same thing, ‘Pending’. The Mortgage Company is not wanting to cooperate. They hold the Mortgage Insurance as well. When my husband died, I knew I wouldn’t be able to make the Payment since all his pay stopped. Cause he was a Retired Vet, all his Insurance was through them. They all say the same thing, ‘Pending’. been over 60 days since I filed with all of them. Even Social Security says ‘Pending’. I have done my part, but no one wants to do theirs, especially the Mortgage Company. They sent debt collectors after BEFORE The first payment due. I even called the Governor of my State, waiting to hear back from them. I am terrified of losing my home.
Please I have funeral policy and I lost my job in the process so for about a year and half now.it is possible to pay the money and make a claim if the beneficiary pass away . please help me out
You can not make a death claim on a beneficiary, only the insured person. You may be able to surrender the policy for its cash value. You should ask the insurance company what the cash value is, and if it is worth surrendering for you.
My mother died in February I call Lumico every month they say they are investigating because my mom died before the two years of the purchase of the policy. am I ever going the get paid?
Hi Myrana,
The two year period is called the contestability period, and this is normal for every life insurance company in order to prevent fraud. Assuming there was no fraud, you will likely get paid, but these investigations can take a few months. Just be sure to keep following up with them.
Hellow!I would life to find out if is possible to make a claim on a life policy,My father died 2010 only find out recently that I and my younger brother we are the beneficial on the life policy or is late to submit a claim now.
You should still be able to file a claim! Call the life insurance company. It may also be in lost or unclaimed property at the State level.
My question is: My husband was beneficary of his mothers life insurance but he died 2 weeks before his mom died in 2017..The life insurance company found me The wife an wants my mother n laws death certificate an my dead husbands death certificate..There are no other family members found..Will I recieve the life insurance check? Its been 3 yrs..Should I waste my time an emotions on this
Peggy typically if there is not a living beneficiary, secondary beneficiary, or tertiary beneficiary listed on the policy the money is paid into the estate. The probate process decides where the money goes from here. You should definitely pursue this further if there are no other family members since it sounds like you have a good shot at receiving the money through the estate.