Family & claims · 3 min read
A practical guide to starting a claim
THE SHORT ANSWER
How does a family start a life insurance claim?
Contact the insurer named on the policy and ask for its claims process and required documents. Have the policy number available if possible. A death certificate is commonly required, and a death overseas may involve additional document checks.
Find the policy and the right contact
Look for the policy schedule and insurer correspondence. Use the insurer’s official website or the contact details in the policy to locate the claims team. Avoid sending documents to an unverified address.
Ask for a written checklist
Ask which documents are needed, whether originals or certified copies are required, and how to send them securely. For overseas documents, ask about translations, authentication and country-specific requirements. F&G’s linked guidance illustrates extra checks for its US-issued policies; it is not the claims checklist for Atlas Life or Manhattan Trust.
Keep a simple record
Record the claim reference, dates, documents sent and the person or team handling the case. Keep copies where appropriate. A single organised record can make follow-up conversations easier for the family.
Ask about the next step
Request an explanation of what happens after submission and who to contact for updates. Each claim is assessed under its policy. This website cannot promise a decision, payment amount or processing time.
MAKE IT PRACTICAL
Questions to take with you
- Locate the policy and insurer.
- Verify the official claims contact.
- Request the document checklist.
- Check overseas-document requirements.
- Keep the claim reference and correspondence together.
This guide is general information, not a personal recommendation or legal or tax advice. Confirm your eligibility and policy terms with the insurer.
Prepared and source-checked with AI assistance. This is not an independent professional review. Read our editorial policy.
Updated 28 October 2026: Replaced the moving-country reference with an overseas-claims example and identified its US provider scope.
Sources & further reading
Sources checked 28 October 2026. Product terms can change. UK and US consumer resources provide general education, not advice about the rules in your country.
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