File Insurance Claims

Check their mail, email, bank statements (look for premium deductions), tax returns (Form 1099-INT from insurers), and important papers. Ask their employer's HR department about group life policies. Search the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator at eapps.naic.org/life-policy-locator (free, takes up to 90 days). Also check your state's unclaimed property database.

There is no federal deadline, but most policies and state laws set a window of 1-3 years. However, file as soon as possible—delays make documentation harder to gather and postpone your payout. Most claims require only a certified death certificate and a completed claim form from the insurer. The beneficiary can typically file by phone, mail, or online.

Most insurers pay within 30-60 days of receiving a complete claim. Many states require payment within 30 days by law. Delays occur if the death happened within the 2-year contestability period (insurer can investigate for fraud or material misrepresentation), if the cause of death is under investigation, or if beneficiary designations are disputed. Contact the insurer if you have not heard back within 30 days.

The contestability period is typically the first 2 years after a life insurance policy is issued. During this window, the insurer can investigate whether the policyholder made material misrepresentations on the application (e.g., undisclosed health conditions, smoking status). If the policy has been in force for more than 2 years, the insurer generally cannot deny a claim based on application inaccuracies.