The Life Insurance Claims Process for Beneficiaries 

The Life Insurance Claims Process for Beneficiaries  People purchase life insurance in the hopes that their loved ones will have peace of mind when they pass away. Many people are offered life insurance as an employment benefit, in which case the life insurance policy is typically covered under ERISA – or the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. When the insured passes away, the designated beneficiary can make a claim under the policy for a monetary payout.  The process of making a claim for life insurance benefits can be difficult, and complications sometimes arise. For example, once a claim is made, the insurance company may deny the claim for some reason. In that instance, the beneficiary will have to file an appeal in order to try and obtain the life insurance benefits he or she needs.  All of this requires time, not to mention the services of an experienced Texas life insurance benefits attorney. If you are the designated beneficiary under a Texas life insurance policy and are interested in making a claim under the policy, the experienced legal team at J. Price McNamara ERISA Insurance Claim Attorney is ready to help you file your claim – or appeal your claim denial. Please reach out to us today to learn more about how we can assist you. 

How Does Life Insurance Work?

In order to understand the process of making a claim under a life insurance policy, it is important to first understand the various individuals who are involved in the process, as well as their specific roles. When it comes to life insurance policies in Texas, the following individuals are key:

• The insured – The insured is the individual who takes out the life insurance policy – usually through his or her employment. When the insured decides to take out a policy of life insurance, he or she must designate one or more beneficiaries to eventually collect on the policy. Over the lifetime of the policy, the insured makes premium payments, typically on a month-to-month basis. The insured’s death is the triggering event for the beneficiary to make a claim under the policy. 
• The beneficiary – The beneficiary is the individual who makes a claim under the policy when the insured passes away. Once the insurance company accepts the claim, the beneficiary is entitled to a payout. The amount of the payout depends upon the value of the life insurance policy which the insured took out.

How Does a Life Insurance Policy Beneficiary Go About Making a Claim for Benefits under the Policy?

The life insurance policy will set out the steps that the beneficiary needs to take in order to make a claim under the policy. Generally, to make a claim, the insured must do all of the following:

• Notify the insurance company of the insured’s death within a specific period of time
• Provide the insurance company with proof of the insured’s death, such as a copy of the death certificate stating that the insured has passed away.

In the event the insurance company denies the beneficiary’s claim for a benefits payout, the beneficiary has the option of administratively appealing the claim denial. If that does not work, assuming the policy is an ERISA policy, the insured may be able to appeal the case to federal court in hopes that the court will grant the claim. 

Contact an Experienced Texas Life Insurance Benefits Lawyer Today

The attorneys at J. Price McNamara ERISA Insurance Claim Attorney are committed to helping you file your claim and pursue the life insurance benefits that you need. To schedule a Free Denial Review and legal consultation with a knowledgeable Texas life insurance benefits attorney, please contact us online today.