Death is one of the most painful experiences that anyone may encounter in his life. The positive findings are that there are also costs associated that involve the burden of finance. That burden can be eased a little by life insurance because it pays an amount to those mentioned in the policy. Nevertheless, filing a life insurance claim can appear complicated at this time. The following is a guide to the processes that should be followed while filing a life insurance claim.
1. Contact the Insurance Company
The first is to inform the death of the policyholder to the insurance company either orally or in written notice. This can most of the time be done either through a call, through the World Wide Web or via a post. You should be ready to disclose the name of the policy holder, the roll number and your contacts. The insurance company will then give you detailed instructions and will also provide you with the forms to fill.
2. Gather Required required documents.
Claim Form: It is usually the responsibility of the insurance company to issue out the claim form, which must be filled out.
Original Policy Document: Herein, the following information on the said life insurance policy has been provided.
Death Certificate: The death of the policyholder has to be substantiated with an official death certificate proved of from a relevant authority.
Proof of Identity: This could be a driver’s license, passport or any other official government identificational card.
Proof of Address: In this case, this could be a utility bill, bank statement or a lease agreement.
Additional Documents: Depending on the circumstances of death, you may also have to produce a police report for the death whether it was an accident, medical records that prove the death was due to sickness or a discharge note from the hospital.
3. The Claim and Documents must be submitted.
After obtaining all the required documents, complete all the admitting and submit them as required by the insurance company. It is advisable to make copies of all the documents that you present to keep in your records.
4. Claim Processing and Verification
Following the claim and production of your documents, the insurance company will go through them. This may include requesting information from you or contacting for further clarification. The estimated time to process the claim can be influenced by the nature of the case of the client.
5. Claim Settlement
After the insurance company has agreed to your claim, reimbursement will be made based on the policy. It can be paid all at once, or in equal portions over time until a full amount has been reached.
Here are some additional tips for filing a life insurance claim:
Stay organized: When making a claim it is important to ensure that all relevant documents are safely stored away.
Be patient: This is one thing that might take slightly longer than with other insurance companies.
Ask questions: In case of any clarification or if there is something that you do not understand feel free to contact the insurance company.
Consider seeking professional help: It is where an attorney or financial advisor may be of help to you with the claim, especially when it gets complicated.
By following these steps, you can ensure a smoother process for filing a life insurance claim during a difficult time..