By Brooke Gullion, FLMI, ALMI, ACS, ARA, CISP — AVP Operations
and Erik Resto, ALMI, ACS, AIRC – Senior Claims Specialist

Losing a loved one is one of life’s most difficult experiences. Amid grief and emotional stress, there are often important financial and administrative matters that must be addressed. To help our members navigate this challenging time, we have outlined the steps involved in the death claim process and what you can expect along the way.

What Is a Death Claim?

A death claim is a request submitted by a beneficiary to an insurance company following the death of an insured individual. Once the claim is approved, the company releases the policy proceeds to the designated beneficiary in the manner elected by the beneficiary from the available options.

The Notice of Death Process

The death claim process typically begins when our office is notified of a death. This notification may come from an agent, family member, friend, government agency, or other source via email, phone call, mail, or an electronic First Notice of Loss (FNOL) submitted through our website.

When reporting a death, it is helpful to provide as much information about the decedent as possible, including:

• Full name (Required)
• Date of Birth
• Social Security number
• Date of Death (Required, at least the best information available)
• Certificate number(s)
• Names and contact information for surviving family members

If you do not have or do not know the decedent’s date of birth, Social Security number, or certificate number, providing additional information—such as their city, state, or branch affiliation—can help us identify the correct individual, particularly when multiple members share the same name.

Once this information is received, we research our records to identify all certificates associated with the decedent, whether they were the insured/annuitant, owner, payor, or beneficiary. We locate the most recent beneficiary designation and review the contract terms to determine the next steps for each certificate.

Payable Certificates

The following situations may result in death benefits being payable:

Life Certificate = The decedent was the insured

Annuity = The decedent was the annuitant or owner (including co-owner)

For all payable certificates, a detailed letter outlining certificate numbers, benefit amounts, and applicable taxable amounts, along with any required claim forms, is mailed and/or emailed to the named beneficiary(ies).

Life Certificate Owner Death (When the Owner is Not the Insured)

If the decedent was the owner of a life certificate but was not the insured, we review the contract and company policy to determine the new owner (including co-owners).

We update the owner in our system and send a confirmation letter and beneficiary change form to the new owner.

Payor

If the decedent was a payor on a certificate that is not payable, we change the payor on the certificate to the owner.

If an existing draft is being withdrawn from a joint account with the new payor and we have appropriate documentation on file (e.g., bank draft authorization form), we will continue the draft.

Beneficiary

If the decedent was listed as a beneficiary on a certificate, we send a letter to the certificate owner with the opportunity to update their beneficiary designation.

Beneficiary Action

When beneficiaries receive the claim paperwork, we encourage them to contact their agent and/or our office if they need assistance completing the forms or have questions regarding the available benefit options.

Claim paperwork may be submitted to our office by mail, email, fax or dropped off at our office.

Claim Processing

Once the claim paperwork is received at the Home Office, it is reviewed for completeness and accuracy. One or both of the following letters is then sent to the beneficiary:

• An acknowledgment letter confirming receipt of the claim forms (this letter confirms receipt only and does not confirm completeness or accuracy); and/or
• A letter outlining any additional requirements, corrections, missing documentation, or proof of death needed to continue processing the claim.

Once all required paperwork has been received, reviewed, and determined to be in good order, the claim is forwarded for processing.

Benefits are paid according to the policy provisions and the beneficiary’s selected payout option.

Lump Sum Payment Options

For lump sum elections, benefit payments may be issued by check and mailed to the beneficiary or sent via direct deposit, based on the beneficiary’s preference.

Another lump sum option is to deposit the funds into a certificate at Catholic Life. While the distribution may still be taxable (if applicable), this option can provide an opportunity to continue building wealth and earning interest if the funds are not immediately needed.

If the beneficiary does not have an existing certificate that can accept the funds, they will need to contact an agent to complete the necessary application paperwork.

Non-Taxable Moves (When Applicable)

For eligible non-taxable moves of funds, proceeds are moved directly from one certificate to another without being distributed to the beneficiary. As with lump-sum deposits, beneficiaries who do not have an existing eligible certificate should contact an agent to complete the required application paperwork.

Common Reasons for Claim Delays

While most claims are processed smoothly, delays can occur when:

• Required documents are missing
• Beneficiary information is incomplete
• Elections are missing or unclear
• Power of Attorney (POA), Trustee, or Executor information is incomplete or inaccurate
• There are disputes regarding beneficiaries
• The policy is within a contestability period
• Additional investigation is necessary for causes of death other than natural

Responding promptly to requests for information can help move the claim forward as efficiently as possible.

Tips for a Smoother Claims Experience

To help ensure a seamless process:

• Complete all paperwork in full and submit all required documents.
• Keep copies of all submitted documents.
• Maintain records of phone calls and correspondence.
• Contact your agent or the Home Office to answer any questions you may have when completing the paperwork.
• Respond promptly to any requests for additional information or documentation.

Final Thoughts

Filing a death claim can feel overwhelming during an already difficult time, but understanding the process can make it more manageable. By gathering the necessary documents, completing claim forms accurately, and maintaining communication with our office, beneficiaries can help ensure their claim is processed as efficiently as possible.

If you have questions about a specific certificate or benefit, please do not hesitate to contact your agent or our Home Office for assistance. Our team is available to guide you through the process and provide support every step of the way.