1. 3998 POINTS
    Matt Benore
    Founder, DenverWest Insurance Professionals, Inc.,
    Cashing in a Life Insurance policy after death is what we call filing a claim.  If you know the agent or broker who was working with the insured, I would contact them first as every company has paperwork which needs to be filled out.

    You will most likely have to call the claims department.   You can call the company and ask for that extension or number.  This will start the claim process.  You will be sent paperwork which will need to be filled out as well as attaching the death certificate.   The certificate will have to be the original,  fyi.

    After receiving the paperwork back the company will process it.  In most cases the turnaround time will be a couple weeks.  If death happened within a couple years of getting the policy,  it might be longer until the benefit is received.
    Answered on May 19, 2014
  2. 63333 POINTS
    Peggy Mace
    Most of the U.S.
    To cash in a life insurance policy after the insured person dies, you start by contacting your agent or the insurance company through which the policy was issued. The policy should have a phone number listed on it, or else use an internet search engine to find an updated phone number for the claims department.

    They will send paperwork to fill out and send back with a certified death certificate. The check for the death benefit will be mailed to you, and will be made out to the beneficiary listed on the policy. If none of the beneficiaries are alive, the proceeds from the policy will go into the estate of the deceased and go through probate.
    Answered on May 19, 2014
  3. 11498 POINTS
    Jason Goldenzweig
    Co-Founder, TermInsuranceBrokers.com, Goldenzweig Financial Group, Las Vegas, Nevada
    When the insured of a life insurance policy dies, the primary beneficiary(ies) of the policy can make a claim on the death benefit. To file a claim, the carrier will generally require a claim form and a copy of the death certificate of the insured before they can pay the proceeds of the policy - some carriers may have additional requirements, varies by company. 

    The beneficiary will generally have a couple of options on how to receive the benefits including being delivered a check for the amount or the carrier setting up a savings account with the proceeds for you to withdraw from at your leisure.

    Please feel free to contact me for help. Thanks very much.
    Answered on May 20, 2014
  4. 21750 POINTS
    Jim Winkler
    CEO/Owner, Winkler Financial Group, Houston, Texas
    That is a great question! First the beneficiary must contact the company and file a claim. At that point the company will send out a form, and when it is completed, and the death certificate is sent in , the company will begin to process the claim. If everything is in order, they will soon issue the check for the death benefit promised, minus any loans, fees, or unpaid premiums that might be owed. Thank you for asking!
    Answered on May 27, 2014
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