Guide / Family & claims
How to file a life insurance claim
Contact the insurer, request its claim instructions and provide the required beneficiary information and death certificate. If the policy cannot be found, the NAIC policy locator may help. Ask the insurer what is missing and keep copies of every submission; payment timing depends on the claim and applicable state rules.
Start with the insurer’s instructions
Insurance Information Institute: Filing a life insurance claim describes contacting the insurer or agent and providing a certified death certificate with the claim. Ask how many copies are needed, which forms apply and whether secure electronic submission is available. An employer may be the starting point for group coverage.
Before sending sensitive documents, independently check the insurer’s contact details. Keep the claim reference, the date submitted and a copy of the paperwork together.
If you cannot find the policy
The NAIC: Using the life insurance policy locator explains a free service that forwards search requests to participating insurers. When a matching policy is found and you are entitled to information, the insurer contacts you. A search is not a promise that a policy exists or that benefits are payable.
Try available records and former employers too. Avoid paying a stranger who claims that a fee is necessary to unlock the NAIC service. Use the official link in the sources below.
Ask about the next step, not a promised date
Request written confirmation of receipt and a list of any missing items. If a claim is delayed or denied, ask for the reason and the policy provision being relied on. Keep the correspondence for a discussion with your state insurance department or legal adviser.
Understand the payment choice
A lump sum and income-based settlement options do different jobs. Ask which options are available, what interest applies, what fees or restrictions exist and whether a choice can later be changed. Do not rush into an investment or settlement choice simply because it arrives with the claim paperwork. The separate tax guide explains why interest and the death benefit need different treatment.
Sources
- Insurance Information Institute: Filing a life insurance claimAccessed 2026-10-07
- NAIC: Using the life insurance policy locatorAccessed 2026-10-07
Written by Sherpa Desk. General US information; not a personalized recommendation. No specialist review is claimed. Our editorial approach.
