Claiming on someone's life insurance after they've died
If someone dies and you're included on their life insurance policy, you may be entitled to some money. Practical tasks like making an insurance claim can seem daunting when someone close to you has died. That's why we've put together clear information explaining what life insurance is, and how to make a claim.
On this page:
What is life insurance?
Life insurance, also called life cover, pays either a lump sum or regular payments when someone dies. The amount paid depends on the level of cover the person bought.
Life insurance gives financial support to people who depended on the person who died, like their partner or children.
Life insurance can be taken out privately, or some people may get it through their employer.
Private life insurance
The two main types of private life insurance are:
- Term life insurance policies – these run for a fixed amount of time and only pay out if the person dies during the policy.
- Whole-of-life insurance policies – these pay out whenever the person dies.
Visit Money Helper for more information about the different types of life insurance.
How to make a claim on a private life insurance policy
There is no time limit to claim on a life insurance policy. When you're ready, contact the insurance company to start a claim.
You may not know which insurance company the policy is with, or the company might have changed its name. The Association of British Insurers has information on tracing insurance policies which could help with this.
You will need to send the insurer some documents, including a copy of the person's death certificate.
When the insurer has agreed to pay the claim, payment can be made in two ways:
- If the policy was 'written in trust', the insurance company will pay the money to whoever was named as the beneficiary. A beneficiary is someone who receives the money. There will not be any inheritance tax to pay on this money.
- If the policy was not written in trust, the money will be considered as part of the person's estate. The estate includes all the money, assets and possessions the person owned when they died. This means getting the money can take longer and it may be subject to inheritance tax.
Life insurance through an employer
If the person who died was employed, they might have had life insurance through their employer. This is usually set up separately to someone's pension, and may be called a death in service benefit. This type of life insurance provides an amount of cover linked to the person's salary.
When the employer has been notified of the person's death, they should give you an 'expression of wish' form. This will say who the person wanted to have the money (the beneficiary).
Some older workplace pension schemes include life insurance. The amount paid out depends on different things, including the type of pension scheme the person had. Visit Money Helper to find out more about life insurance and pension schemes.
Support when someone dies
Sorting out practical things when someone dies can be difficult. You can find more information and support in our online information resources on when someone dies, or you could download our booklet: When someone dies. Or, you can call Marie Curie's Support Line on 0800 090 2309.
Find out about Marie Curie's Bereavement Support Service.
Useful websites
Money Helper – more information about life insurance
Financial Ombudsman Service – if you're unhappy with the way a life insurance claim is being handled
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About this information
This information is not intended to replace any advice from health or social care professionals. We suggest that you consult with a qualified professional about your individual circumstances. Read more about how our information is created and how it's used.
