Life insurance claim letter after a death: free template

Quick answer: Send this letter to each life insurer the person had a policy with. It tells them about the death and asks for every policy they hold, the amount payable, whether the policy is in trust or has a nominated beneficiary (which decides whether the money goes to the estate or to someone else), and the claim form. GOV.UK says to include payments made on the death, such as life insurance, when you estimate the estate's value, so ask for the figure even if it is paid to someone else.

When to send it, and who to

• Who it goes to. The claims or bereavement team of each insurer. Look for policy documents, premiums on bank statements and annual statements. Tell Us Once doesn't tell insurers: GOV.UK says you contact them yourself.
• When. Soon after the death. If a policy pays off a mortgage, the lender will want to know a claim is under way.
• Who sends it. The executor or administrator. If the policy is held in trust, the trustees may need to claim; the insurer will say who it can pay.
• Inheritance Tax forms. If the estate needs a full Inheritance Tax account (IHT400), HMRC's form IHT410 is where you give details of life insurance policies, annuities and investment bonds the person paid into.

The letter (free to copy)

Copy it into an email or a document, replace every [bracket] with your own details, and delete what doesn't apply.

[Your name]
[Your address]
[Date]

Claims or bereavement team
[Insurer name]
[Insurer address]

Subject: Claim on the death of [full name]: policy number [policy number]

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to tell you that [full name] of [address], date of birth [date of birth], died on [date of death]. I am [the executor / the administrator of the estate / a trustee of the policy / the named beneficiary].

Please confirm every policy you hold on [name]'s life or for [name]'s benefit; the amount payable on the death, including any bonus and less any loan or charge; whether the policy is held in trust or has a nominated beneficiary, and so whether the payment is due to the estate, the trustees or someone else; and the claim form and documents you need.

I enclose a copy of the death certificate.

Yours faithfully, [name]

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What to enclose

• A copy of the death certificate (check whether the insurer wants a certified copy).
• The policy number, or the person's full name, address and date of birth if you can't find it.
• The grant of probate or letters of administration only if the insurer says the money is payable to the estate.

Don't send original documents unless the organisation specifically asks for them. Keep a copy of the version you actually sent, the date, the reference number and the reply.

Common mistakes

• Assuming the payout goes to the estate. Ask whether the policy is in trust or has a nominated beneficiary; the letter does.
• Leaving the policy out of the estate value. GOV.UK lists life insurance among payments made on the death to include in your estimate.
• Missing a policy. Check bank statements for premiums, and the person's papers for policy documents and annual statements.
• Not asking about deductions. The letter asks for the amount payable less any loan or charge.

Frequently asked questions

Does life insurance go through probate?

It depends on the policy. If the money is payable to the estate, the insurer may ask for the grant. If the policy is held in trust or pays a nominated beneficiary, it may be paid without it. The letter asks the insurer which applies.

Does a life insurance payout count for Inheritance Tax?

GOV.UK says to include payments made on the death, such as life insurance, when you estimate the estate's value. Whether it is taxed depends on how the policy was set up, for example whether it was held in trust; give the details on form IHT410 if you complete a full IHT400 account.

How do I find out if the person had life insurance?

Look for premiums on bank statements, policy documents and annual statements in their papers, and ask their bank, employer or financial adviser.

Who can make the claim?

Usually the executor or administrator if the money is payable to the estate, or the trustees or named beneficiary if it is not. The insurer will tell you who it can pay.

Related guides

• Life insurance and probate
• Who executors need to contact after a death
• What happens to a mortgage after a death

More free letter templates

• Letter to a bank after a death
• Date-of-death valuation letter for shares and investments
• Letter to creditors after a death
• Letter to a pension provider or employer after a death
• Executor letters to beneficiaries
• Beneficiary receipt template
• Letter to HMRC after a death
• Letter to DWP after a death
• Council Tax letter after a death
• Letter to a utility company after a death
• Letter to a mortgage lender or home insurer after a death
• Letter to a landlord after a tenant dies
• Letter to DVLA after a death
• First letter to a beneficiary from an executor
• Estate accounts template and layout
• All probate letter templates

Sources

• GOV.UK: Estimate the estate's value
• GOV.UK: Identify the person's assets and debts
• GOV.UK: Organisations you need to contact and Tell Us Once
• GOV.UK (HMRC): Inheritance Tax, life assurance and annuities (IHT410)

General information for England and Wales, not legal advice. If the estate is complex, disputed or may not be able to pay its debts, take advice from a solicitor.