How to File a Life Insurance Claim

When you lose a loved one, filling out paperwork and going back and forth with an insurance company are probably some of the last things you want to do.

If you’re a beneficiary of someone with a policy from AAA Life Insurance Company, know that we make the same promise to you as we do to the policyholder. We are here for you when you need us by providing you with the guidance you need to get through an emotional time.

After all, you were added as a beneficiary by someone who cared for you. Whether they wanted to make a difficult situation less stressful, lessen the impact of future financial challenges, or give you additional peace of mind for the future, taking out a life insurance policy is a selfless act to make life easier on your loved ones.

What you need to file a claim
 

Dealing with the logistics of having to file an insurance claim shouldn’t add to your stress during a difficult time, and we’re here to provide some tips to help you get the process started. It’s helpful to know what to expect, but if you’re finding the process overwhelming at any time, call our Claims Department at (800) 624-1662 and follow the prompts available to file a new claim. We help with situations like this every day and can take you through the process, step-by-step.

To file a claim, it is best to locate the policy and have the policy number on hand, as well as critical information on the policyholder, such as their last name and date of birth. If you can’t find the policy, check where other important financial documents are stored. You will also need a copy of the death certificate and to complete a claim form.

Once you have that information, you can reach out to AAA Life to begin the claims process. Information required can vary depending on the complexity of the policy, but our Claims Department will inform you of any additional information you may need to provide.

It can take a few weeks to verify a claim – an important step to protect you, our policyholders and the company against fraud. The last step for beneficiaries is to choose whether to receive payment as a lump sum, in installments, or held in an interest-earning savings account and await payment. Note that an electronic bank transfer will provide a quicker payment than waiting for a check by mail. AAA Life recommends speaking with a financial advisor if you are unsure which payment method works best for you.
 

What if you can’t find the policy?
 

Ideally, a policyholder will inform beneficiaries on what they will need to do to file a claim and where the policy is located, but, understandably, that doesn’t always happen. If you cannot locate the policy but know it was through AAA Life, give us a call to inquire. If you’re not sure which insurance provider issued the policy, checking the deceased’s bank records or with any accountants or attorneys they may have used can also help to verify.

There are also services, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, which offer a Policy Locator Service which can help track down an unclaimed policy.