Life insurance after a death: how to find and claim a policy
A life insurance claim is usually straightforward: the named beneficiary contacts the insurer, submits a claim form and a certified death certificate, and the insurer pays the beneficiary directly. The hard part is often finding out which policies exist in the first place.
The short version
- 01Look for evidence of policiesPaperwork, bank statements showing premiums, employer benefits, union or association membership, and mortgage-linked cover.
- 02Contact each insurerAsk for the claim process and exactly what documents they need.
- 03Submit the claim as the named beneficiaryPayouts go to the named beneficiary, which may not be the same as the estate.
- 04Track what has been sent and whenReference numbers and dates save a lot of repeated calls.
- 05Follow up on anything unresolvedMissing beneficiary details and out-of-date nominations are the most common delays.
What insurers usually ask for
- A completed claim form
- A certified death certificate
- Proof of the claimant's identity
- The policy number, where available
Where policies hide
- Employer or former employer group cover
- Mortgage protection linked to a loan
- Credit-card or bank account add-ons
- Union, association or alumni schemes
- Old policies from before a house move
Common questions
- Does a life insurance payout go through the estate?
- Usually not, when a living beneficiary is named. Payment typically goes directly to that person.
- What if we cannot find the policy?
- Check bank statements for premium payments, ask employers, and ask whether your jurisdiction runs a policy locator service.
You don't have to hold all of this in your head.
Tell AndWithYou what happened and we'll turn it into a short, prioritized path, and keep track of the rest as things change.
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