What you need to know
- To file a life insurance claim you usually need a certified death certificate, the claim form and the policy number.
- Most insurers pay within about 30 to 60 days once they have everything they need.
- Deaths in the first two years of a policy can be reviewed more closely under the contestability clause.
- If you cannot find the policy, the free NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator can search participating insurers.
In this article
Claim timeline facts
- Typical payout: about 30 to 60 days after a complete claim
- Contestability period: usually 2 years from the policy start
- Some states require interest on late payments; North Carolina requires it after 30 days from proof of death
Timing from Amica. Contestability and interest rules from the North Carolina Department of Insurance. Rules vary by state.
Filing a life insurance claim starts with a phone call or an online form, and most of the work is gathering a few documents. You do not need a lawyer for a standard claim.
Use the steps below as a checklist. If anything feels unclear, the insurer's claims department can walk you through its process.
Steps to file a life insurance claim
- Find the policy. Check files, email, bank statements for premium payments, or ask the employer about group coverage.
- Order certified death certificates. The funeral home can usually order several copies. Insurers want an original certified copy.
- Contact the insurer. Call the claims line or start online. Have the policy number and the insured person's full name, date of birth and Social Security number ready.
- Complete the claim form. Each beneficiary usually files a separate form.
- Choose how to be paid. Options often include a lump sum or installments.
- Follow up. Ask for a claim number and check in if you have not heard back within a few weeks.
Documents to have ready
Most insurers ask for:
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SponsoredHow long does a life insurance claim take?
- Week 1Notify the insurer and request the claim packet.
- Weeks 1 to 3Return the form and death certificate.
- Weeks 3 to 8Most clean claims are reviewed and paid.
- LongerDeaths within the two-year contestability period, or unclear causes of death, can take extra review.
Cannot find the policy?
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners runs a free Life Insurance Policy Locator. You submit a request, and participating insurers check their records and contact you if you are a beneficiary.
Also check old mail from insurers, bank records for premium payments, and the human resources department of past employers.
Get help with life insurance in your state
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Reasons a claim can be delayed or denied
- β Missing documents or an unsigned form
- β Misstatements on the application found during the contestability period
- β Death from suicide within the first two years (most policies return premiums instead)
- β A lapsed policy after the grace period ended
If a claim is denied, ask for the reason in writing. You can file a complaint with your state department of insurance.
Frequently asked questions
How long do you have to file a life insurance claim?
There is usually no short deadline, but filing promptly avoids delays. Unclaimed benefits can eventually be turned over to the state as unclaimed property.
Is life insurance money taxable?
Life insurance death benefits paid to a beneficiary are generally not subject to federal income tax. Interest paid on a delayed benefit can be taxable.
What if there is no named beneficiary?
The benefit usually goes to the estate and is distributed through probate.
Can a life insurance claim be denied?
Yes, for reasons such as lapsed coverage or material misstatements found in the first two years. Ask for the reason in writing and contact your state insurance department if you disagree.
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