Complete the insurance company’s claim form. It can usually be downloaded from their website or they will mail one to you.
Sign and submit the insurer’s HIPPA form with the other required documents. The HIPPA form allows the insurance investigator to gather medical records to begin the life insurance claim. This form must be signed by a surviving spouse, next of kin or court-appointed executor.
Have a Certified Death Certificate to submit with the life insurance claim form. You must submit an original certificate as the insurer will not accept a copy.
Have the life insurance policy. The life insurance company will want the policy. Make a copy of the policy before you mail the original back to the insurer. There is a copy of the application in the back of the policy and this may be important if your life insurance claim is denied.
Make a list of doctors with their contact information. Life insurance claims are often investigated before they are paid. Part of the investigation will include a review of the health history of the deceased. Having this information available will help speed-up the claim investigation.
Document the insured’s income. When a life insurance claim is investigated the insurance company will want to verify the income that was stated on the application. If there is no tax return you can usually get a W-2 or paystub from the employer.
Prepare for the insurance investigation interview by writing down detailed events about the death. You want to be specific with the life insurance claim investigator so it’s best to write down important information before the meeting.
Have a family member or friend attend the investigation interview with you. This interview may be your only opportunity to give your version of facts related to the life insurance claim so it’s best to have someone with you to make sure everything is communicated properly.
Provide the insurance company with the bank account information before the life insurance claim is paid. It’s best to provide the life insurance company with the routing number for your account so they can wire the money. This eliminates long holds on the deposit.
Be prepared for the life insurance claim to take a long time to be paid. Life insurance claims can take months or, in extreme cases, even years to get paid. Insurers will be very thorough in investigating a life insurance claim – especially large death claims. They will be in no hurry to pay out a significant amount of money, even for a legitimate life insurance claim. Professional representation is usually advised to be sure you are paid what you are owed in a timely manner.
