What do I do if a loved one has passed that has an active Life Insurance policy?

Answer:
If you are the beneficiary of the life insurance policy

, you will need to obtain several copies of your loved one’s death certificate and notify the insurance company.

Laws vary from state to state as far as how to get a certified copy of a death certificate. In general, you must be eligible to receive a copy and pay the appropriate fees. Contact the Office of Vital Records and Statistics in the state where your loved died for details on how to obtain a copy of the death certificate. You will likely need to prove your relationship, fill out an application, and pay modest fees for each copy you request.

You will also need to fill out “proof of death” forms. Contact the insurance agent or company who issued the policy for the appropriate forms to fill out. In addition, the insurance company may require additional documentation including mortgage information, marriage certificates, employee benefits information, and credit card statements.

Once the insurance company has received all of the required paperwork and finds it to be in order, the death benefits are usually paid out promptly.


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