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Although there are life insurance policies that offer benefits to their living policyholders, the primary reason most people get coverage is not for themselves, but for those they’ll leave behind. According to the 2024 Insurance Barometer Study conducted by industry research group LIMRA (Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association), a majority of American adults (51%) say they own some type of life insurance.
With so many policies in effect, it’s likely you or someone you love has coverage or is named as a beneficiary in a policy. And while you may not be familiar with the steps involved in filing a life insurance claim, the following information explains all the details so you won’t feel overwhelmed during a difficult time.
No matter the type of life insurance coverage, any given policy will have the following sequence of steps that make up its lifecycle:
Do you need to file a claim on a policy that was issued through AAA Life Insurance?
Click hereYou can begin the claim process for life insurance benefits by contacting the company or agent who issued the policy or by visiting the insurance company’s website. Regardless of which company issued the life insurance, you’ll need to provide the following things:
Once a claim is filed, it typically takes an insurance company between two weeks and two months to process and pay out the benefit. If, however, the death of the insured occurred during the contestability period noted above, payment may be delayed while the insurance company investigates any signs of fraud or misrepresentation. One important note: There is no time limit for a beneficiary to file a request for benefits as long as the policy was in force at the time of the insured's death.
During the life insurance claim process, the insurance company reviews all materials submitted by the beneficiaries to verify the policy conditions have been met. Depending on what they find, payment could be delayed until missing documents are provided or, in other cases, a claim might be denied. Here are some of the things that could cause a claim to be denied or delayed:
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The beneficiary of a life insurance payout can use the money for whatever purposes they choose—to cover funeral costs, replace lost income, mortgage or rent payments, education or any other living expenses they incur. Life insurance proceeds are paid out in one of several ways.
The money can be taken as a single lump sum or in installments, or it can be held in an interest-earning savings account to be distributed at a later date. If you’re a beneficiary and unsure of how to take the payout, it’s a good idea to talk with your life insurance agent or trusted advisor for a recommendation.
Whether you’re not sure if the deceased had life insurance coverage in effect at the time they passed or you’re simply unable to locate the policy, there are several steps you can take to find out if there are unclaimed life insurance benefits.
Start by checking the deceased’s bank records, credit card statements or with any accountants or attorneys they may have used. The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators has a free tool to locate lost or unclaimed insurance money and other property. You can also get consumer tips on finding unclaimed life insurance policies from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the American Council of Life Insurers and state insurance department websites.
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Learn more about life insurance through AAA.
This information is being provided for general informational purposes only. The Auto Club Group does not assume any liability in connection with providing this information.
Life insurance underwritten and annuities offered by AAA Life Insurance Company, Livonia, Michigan. AAA Life Insurance Company is licensed in all states except NY. CA Certificate of Authority #07861. Products and their features may not be available in all states.
AAA Life and its agents do not provide legal, tax or financial advice. Please consult your professional advisor prior to the purchase of any policy or contract.
This is a summary of product provisions and does not contain all of the benefits and exclusions. For complete terms of the insurance coverage or annuity, please contact your agent or refer to the policy/contract.
Annuities - LA
Annuities are not short-term products. During the surrender charge period, withdrawals exceeding 10% will be subject to a surrender charge that may be higher than fees associated with other types of financial products and may reduce principal. Withdrawals prior to 59½ may be subject to IRS penalties, separate from the annuity’s schedule of surrender charges.
EliteGuarantee Deferred Annuity - LAEG Contract Form Series: ICC11-4101/DA-4101 (In OR: ICC11-4101)
Platinum Bonus Annuity - LAPB Contract Form Series: ICC11-4111/DA-4111 (In OR: ICC11-4111)
Guaranteed Income Annuity - LAGI Contract Form Series: ICC14-4120/SPIA-4120 (In OR: ICC14-4120)
The payout amount you will receive is based on your individual circumstances, the options you select at the time of application and your initial premium payment.
Term Life Insurance - LT
Premiums are guaranteed. They are level for the term period and increase annually thereafter. Any sample premiums are examples only and may vary based on your personal health history and underwriting guidelines. The answers provided to the health questions are used to determine eligibility for coverage. Not all applicants will qualify. Product and its features may not be available in all states. Coverage ends at age 95.
If insured is diagnosed with a terminal illness that will cause death in 12 mos. or less, up to 50% of the total benefit can be applied for, and used as insured chooses. The remaining benefit payable at death will be reduced by the Accelerated Death Benefit paid and any accrued and unpaid interest (8% annual interest rate applies). Receipt of Accelerated Death Benefits may affect eligibility for public assistance programs and may be taxable. Please consult the appropriate social service agency and seek the advice of tax counsel before applying for these funds. The Accelerated Death Benefit is not available if the terminal illness results from an intentionally self-inflicted injury. This benefit may not be available in all states.
ExpressTerm - LTE Policy Form Series: ICC19-1601/1601 (In OR: 1CC19-1601)
Traditional Term - LTT Policy Form Series: ICC19-1801/1801 (In OR: ICC19-1801)
Group Direct Term Policy Form Series: GT8200
Individual Direct Term Policy Form Series: ICC16-1501
Universal Life Insurance – LULG
Health history, underwriting guidelines and the answers provided to health questions are used to determine approval for coverage. Not all applicants will qualify. Rates may vary.
Lifetime Universal Life Insurance - LUL Health history, underwriting guidelines and the answers provided to health questions are used to determine approval for coverage. Not all applicants will qualify. Rates may vary.
Policy Form Series: ICC19-4701/4701 (In OR: ICC19-4701)
If insured is diagnosed with a terminal illness that will cause death in 12 mos. or less, up to 50% of the total benefit can be applied for, and used as insured chooses. The remaining benefit payable at death will be reduced by the Accelerated Death Benefit paid and any accrued and unpaid interest (7% annual interest rate applies). Receipt of Accelerated Death Benefits may affect eligibility for public assistance programs and may be taxable. Please consult the appropriate social service agency and seek the advice of tax counsel before applying for these funds. The Accelerated Death Benefit is not available if the terminal illness results from an intentionally self-inflicted injury. This benefit may not be available in all states.
Accumulator Universal Life Insurance - LULA Health history, underwriting guidelines and the answers provided to health questions are used to determine approval for coverage. Not all applicants will qualify. Rates may vary.
Policy Form Series: ICC19-3701/3701 (In OR: ICC19-3701)
If insured is diagnosed with a terminal illness that will cause death in 12 mos. or less, up to 50% of the total benefit can be applied for, and used as insured chooses. The remaining benefit payable at death will be reduced by the Accelerated Death Benefit paid and any accrued and unpaid interest (5% annual interest rate applies). Receipt of Accelerated Death Benefits may affect eligibility for public assistance programs and may be taxable. Please consult the appropriate social service agency and seek the advice of tax counsel before applying for these funds. The Accelerated Death Benefit is not available if the terminal illness results from an intentionally self-inflicted injury. This benefit may not be available in all states.
Whole Life Insurance
Whole Life Insurance (for coverage amounts of $30,000 or more) - LWL Policy Form Series: ICC18-5601/5601 (In OR: ICC18-5601)
Health history, underwriting guidelines and the answers provided to health questions are used to determine approval for coverage. Not all applicants will qualify. Rates may vary.
If insured is diagnosed with a terminal illness that will cause death in 12 mos. or less, up to 50% of the total benefit can be applied for, and used as insured chooses. The remaining benefit payable at death will be reduced by the Accelerated Death Benefit paid and any accrued and unpaid interest (8% annual interest rate applies). Receipt of Accelerated Death Benefits may affect eligibility for public assistance programs and may be taxable. Please consult the appropriate social service agency and seek the advice of tax counsel before applying for these funds. The Accelerated Death Benefit is not available if the terminal illness results from an intentionally self-inflicted injury. This benefit may not be available in all states.
Rapid Issue Whole Life Insurance (for coverage amounts of $25,000 or less) - LRIWL Policy Form Series ICC20-7001/7001 (In OR: ICC20-7001)
Responses to the application will be used to determine approval for coverage. Not all applicants will qualify.
This Whole Life policy is referred to as graded benefit whole life insurance. If you suffer a non-accidental death within the first two years of coverage, your beneficiaries will get 100% of the base premiums you paid, plus 35%. After two years, the total amount of your coverage is paid for death due to any cause.
After the first two years of coverage, if insured is diagnosed with a terminal illness that will cause death in 12 mos. or less, up to 50% of the total benefit can be applied for, and used as insured chooses. The remaining benefit payable at death will be reduced by the Accelerated Death Benefit paid and any accrued and unpaid interest (8% annual interest rate applies). Receipt of Accelerated Death Benefits may affect eligibility for public assistance programs and may be taxable. Please consult the appropriate social service agency and seek the advice of tax counsel before applying for these funds. The Accelerated Death Benefit is not available if the terminal illness results from an intentionally self-inflicted injury. This benefit may not be available in all states.
Guaranteed Issue Whole Life Insurance - LGIWL Policy Form Series: ICC16-6301/GWL6301 (In OR: ICC16-6301)
The maximum amount of Guaranteed Issue Whole Life insurance coverage per insured is $25,000.00. Subject to age requirements and policy limit restrictions.
This Guaranteed Issue Whole Life policy is referred to as graded benefit whole life insurance. If you suffer a non-accidental death within the first two years of coverage, your beneficiaries will get 100% of the level monthly premiums you paid, plus 30%. After two years, the total amount of your coverage is paid for death due to any cause.
If you are a California resident 65 years of age or older, we are required to advise you of the following. The sale or liquidation of any stock, bond, IRA, certificate of deposit, mutual fund, annuity, or other asset to fund the purchase of this product may have tax consequences, early withdrawal penalties, or other costs or penalties as a result of the sale or liquidation. You may wish to consult independent legal or financial advice before selling or liquidating any assets and prior to the purchase of any life or annuity products being solicited, offered for sale, or sold
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