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Death claims

Death claims are normally initiated either by the claimant or the solicitors acting for the estate of the life insured.   The first task for the life office is to search its index of lives insured to identify all the policies is has which covered the life of that person.

Second the date of death must be obtained as the sum insured may depend on this as with a reducing term insurance or a with profits policy. Unit values will usually be tied to the date of death.

The life insurer’s reply to the initiation claim letter will be to quote the amount payable subject to the admission of the death claim.

The next step is to obtain proof of death so that the claim can be assessed.

Where the age has not already been admitted (proof previously sent in) then proof of age will also be required.

The life office will also require proof of title to the life policy and a signed discharge form.

Proof of death

Vital for the admission of a death claim. In the UK deaths are proven by an official death certificate.   The death certificate is an official copy made by the registrar of an entry in the Register of deaths maintained pursuant to the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953.   Only original deaths certificates should be accepted as proof of death. The Association of British insurers recommends that only original death certificates should be accepted and there has been a case of a life office suffering loss through fraud where a forged photo copy certificate was used.

The full name of the deceased together with their occupation, date of birth, date of death and address should be checked against the policy/record details.