Claims requiring an investigation

Claims investigation requirements

An investigation is standard for the situations below. Claims for these situations take longer due to the time required to obtain and review records from various entities. We will notify you if such circumstances apply and keep you updated on your claim’s progress. Click each scenario for details and requirements.

Under industry standards, a policy claim is “contestable” if the date of death is within the 2-year period following the policy issue date or reinstatement date.

Additional forms or information required:

Medical History section of the Claimant’s Statement must be completed (provided in claims packet)
Contestable Beneficiary Questionnaire (provided in claims packet if required)
If death is by suicide, Suicide Contestable Questionnaire also required (provided in claims packet if required)

Canada and U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands) are not considered foreign.

Additional forms required:

Certified death certificate from country where death occurred, translated into English
Foreign Death Questionnaire (provided in claims packet if required)
Report of Death of a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Non-Citizen National Abroad, provided to next-of-kin or legal representative by U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country of death. See Death Abroad page at travel.state.gov for more information.

Accidental deaths are only investigated when claim is filed for:

A policy with Accidental Death Benefit (ADB) Rider
A Guaranteed Issue Whole Life policy (but only if the date of death is within 2 years of policy issue or reinstatement date)
If either policy applies, the Accidental Death section of the Claimant’s Statement must be completed (provided in claims packet)

Claims requiring an investigation

“Contestable” policy (death occurs within 2 years of policy issue or reinstatement date)

Death in foreign country

Homicide

Accidental deaths for some riders or policies