Step-by-Step: What Happens After Death
Step 1: Locate the Policy
The first step is finding the life insurance policy. Check bank statements for premium payments, search through personal documents, contact the deceased’s financial adviser, or check their email for correspondence from insurers.
If you cannot find the policy, you can use the Association of British Insurers (ABI) unclaimed assets service or contact individual insurers directly. Many people do not tell their families about their policies, so this step can take time.
Step 2: Notify the Insurer
Contact the insurance company to report the death and start the claims process. Most insurers have a dedicated bereavement or claims team. You will need:
- The policy number (if known)
- The deceased’s full name and date of birth
- The date of death
- Your relationship to the deceased
Step 3: Submit the Claim
The insurer will send you a claims form and request supporting documents:
- Death certificate (certified copy)
- Claim form completed by the beneficiary, executor, or trustee
- Grant of probate or letters of administration (if the policy is not in trust)
- Medical report (sometimes requested, especially if death occurred within the first few years of the policy)
Step 4: Insurer Reviews the Claim
The insurer reviews the claim against the policy terms. They check:
- The policy was active (premiums were being paid)
- The cause of death is covered
- There was no material non-disclosure on the application
UK insurers accepted over 97% of life insurance claims in 2024. The small percentage of declined claims almost always involve non-disclosure of relevant medical history.
Step 5: Payout
Once the claim is approved, the insurer pays the benefit. Typical timelines:
| Scenario | Typical Payout Time |
|---|---|
| Policy in trust, straightforward claim | 5–10 working days |
| Policy not in trust (probate required) | 3–6 months or longer |
| Claim requiring investigation | Several weeks to months |
What If You Cannot Find a Policy?
- Check bank and credit card statements for recurring payments to insurance companies
- Search email for correspondence from insurers
- Contact the deceased’s employer about any death in service benefit
- Ask their financial adviser or mortgage broker
- Use the ABI or Unclaimed Assets Register to search for lost policies
Frequently Asked Questions
In trust: 5–10 working days. Without trust: 3–6 months (waiting for probate).
Death certificate, policy number, claim form, and sometimes grant of probate or medical report.
Rare – over 97% are accepted. The main reason for refusal is non-disclosure of health information on the application.
Check bank statements, personal documents, employer death in service, their financial adviser, or the ABI unclaimed assets service.