After a loss

Claiming life insurance, step by step

Usually one form, one death certificate, and a few weeks.

Current as of October 2026. Laws and figures can change — see full disclaimer.

Life insurance is often the fastest money to reach a family after a death, because it usually goes straight to the named beneficiary without probate. The beneficiary, not the executor, usually starts the claim.

How a claim usually works

1. Finding the policy. The insurer's name and policy number are the main things needed. Both are usually on the first page of the policy, on annual statements, or in the insurer's app.
2. Contacting the insurer. Most have a claims phone line or online form. Employers handle claims for work policies through HR.
3. Filling in the claim form. It asks for the beneficiary's details and how they'd like to be paid.
4. Sending a certified copy of the death certificate. Some insurers accept a photocopy; others want a certified one.
5. Waiting for review. Many claims are paid within a few weeks once the paperwork is complete.

Ways the money is usually paid

• A lump sum, by check or direct deposit
• Installments over time
• A retained asset account, where the insurer holds the money and gives the beneficiary a checkbook. It's worth reading the terms, since it may pay less interest than a regular bank.

When claims take longer

• The death happened within the first two years of the policy. State insurance laws generally allow insurers to review the application more closely during this period, often called the contestability period. Nearly every state has a version of this rule.
• The cause of death is still being determined
• The beneficiary has died, is a minor or isn't clear