Insurance Claim Form

• The first step needed to file a life insurance claim is contacting the insurance carrier. The insurance carrier will give the policy holder or beneficiary the necessary claim forms needed to begin the process. If the insurance carrier who issued or sold the life insurance policy is unavailable, the holder and beneficiary may contact the insurance company directly.
  
  

Death Certificate

• Before a life insurance claim may be processed, the beneficiary will need to provide a death certificate for the insured person who has passed away. The death certificate must be legal and notarized. A copy of the death certificate can be obtained from the coroner, funeral home director or facility or the state health department where the death occurred. This certificate validates the death and insurance claim.
  
  

Policy Holder Or Beneficiary

• If an individual has taken out life insurance on an individual, he or she is the policy holder. In the event that someone passes away, and has their his life insurance policy, the policy will be awarded to the beneficiary. The beneficiary is the person in which the policy holder trusted to properly handle the benefits and funds awarded at the time of the policy holder's death. Anyone who has not been named as the beneficiary will have legal troubles making a claim on the life insurance policy. Beneficiaries can be minors, however, the legal documents may not be signed until the minor reaches legal age.
  
  

Autopsy Or Police Report

• An autopsy or police report is needed when filing a life insurance claim. The reason being is suicide deaths are not covered under all life insurance policies. Some life insurance policies have what is called a suicide clause. The clause immediately terminates the life insurance benefits immediately. This insurance will be voided under the suicide clause whether the insured was sane or insane at the time the suicide was committed.
  
  

Withdrawing Funds Before Death

• Not all life insurance policies require the beneficiary or policy holder to pass away before a claim can be paid. The policy may be cashed in early, but there are disadvantages to doing so. If funds are withdrawn on a policy before death, the benefits will be lowered. Some withdrawals are not always income tax free. A claim will need to be filed, and the insurance provider will collect general information, such as reason for withdrawal and identification verification.