Here Are Some Frequently Asked Questions About Our Life Insurance Claims
Process
How Do I Submit a Life Insurance Claim?
Most life insurance claims can be processed upon receipt of
a claimant's statement completed by the named beneficiary(s), and a certified
death certificate for the insured. The original insurance contract(s) should
also be returned, if available. Only one death certificate is required
regardless of the number of policies or certificates. These
documents should be sent to:
Colonial Penn Life Insurance Company
Life Claims Department - 2250
399 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19181-2250
How Can I Get a Claim Form?
Most of the insurance documents we issue include a claim
form, which is called a "Claimant's Statement For Life Insurance Death
Benefits". If you do not already have this form you can download one here. If
you are unable to download the form, please let us know by e-mail or
telephone and we will promptly send one to you.
Once you have downloaded the form, print it out, complete
the form and mail it to the address shown.
 NOTE: These forms are PDF files. In order to download
and view any PDF files, you will need Acrobat Reader software. If you do not
have Acrobat Reader and wish to download it for free, click
here to visit the Adobe Acrobat Reader website.
How Can I Tell The Amount To Be Paid?
If coverage is in force, the death benefit payable is shown
on the policy/certificate specification
page that is a part of all contracts. Some policies have benefits that vary
depending on how long the policy has been in effect when the insured dies. To
determine if this is the case, check the amount of time that has passed from
the effective date of the policy (also referred to as the policy date or issue
date) to the date of death. The policy specification page will indicate the
benefit payable for that duration.
Other factors that may affect the amount payable are policy loans, premium
adjustments, and adjustments for misstatement of age. If it is critical that
you know the amount before making your claim and you need assistance, you may e-mail us your request or
contact us by
telephone (use the prompt for claims). Because of confidentiality
issues, we may not be able to honor all requests for this information.
Furthermore, such benefit quotes are not binding on the company.
How Can I Tell Who The Beneficiary Is?
The named beneficiary is shown on the original application/enrollment
form attached to the policy/certificate,
or it may be shown on the policy specification page. If a beneficiary
designation was changed, an endorsed copy of the change was returned to the
owner with the instruction that it be attached to the appropriate insurance
documents. If you are unable to determine the beneficiary, you may request this
information by mail, e-mail or
telephone.
What Should I Do If The Beneficiary Is No
Longer Living?
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If the primary beneficiary dies before the insured, the benefits are payable to
the contingent (or secondary) beneficiary. If no provisions were made for a
contingent beneficiary, the benefits are payable to the estate of the insured.
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If the primary beneficiary passed away after the insured (but before benefits
were paid), the benefits are payable to the estate of the beneficiary.
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If benefits are payable to an estate, the court appointed representative should
complete the claimant's statement, and a copy of the appointment document
should be provided with the other documents requested. Refer to "How Do I Submit A
Life Insurance Claim" for claim filing instructions.
What Should I Do If There Is No Estate?
Most states have provisions for payment by affidavit, if
benefits are payable to an estate, but the estate will not be subject to formal
administration. Please contact us by mail, e-mail or
telephone, and the appropriate instructions and/or forms will be
provided.
How Do I Know If Coverage Is In Force?
Coverage is considered to be in force, as of the effective
date of the policy/certificate,
if premium payments are current. Coverage may also be in effect, depending on
the specific contract, if premium payments were discontinued and there is cash
value sufficient to provide extended term insurance or reduced paid-up
insurance under the non-forfeiture option outlined in the policy. Each policy,
or certificate, should be reviewed for the specific non-forfeiture
provisions. Of course, you may contact us by mail, e-mail or
telephone to verify if coverage is in force. Also, you may simply
submit a claim against the policy in question and we will advise you in writing
if it is not in force.
Can The Proceeds Be Paid Directly To Another
Party?
Life insurance proceeds can be paid directly to a funeral
home, cemetery or other entity if the beneficiary executes an assignment of
proceeds instrument. Funeral homes and cemeteries typically have their own
assignment of proceeds forms. In order for us to honor an assignment of
proceeds, the beneficiary's signature must be witnessed by a notary public
affirming the identity of the person that signed the assignment. Additionally,
all policy/certificate numbers
subject to assignment must be written on the assignment and the specific
maximum amount to be paid by assignment must be clearly stated.
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