Life Insurance And Autopsies: When Are They Required?

Life insurance companies require a death certificate to process a death claim. In some cases, a death certificate will not be issued until an autopsy has been performed, especially if there are unusual circumstances surrounding the death. If the insured dies during the contestability period, the life insurer has the right to determine if the policyholder was engaged in any activity that would exclude the insurance company from having to make a payment under the policy. In such cases, an autopsy report may be required.

Autopsy reports are required to determine the cause of death

An autopsy report can reveal critical details about the circumstances surrounding the death, including any underlying health conditions, toxicology results, and the presence of any illegal substances. Insurance companies often request autopsy reports to ensure they have a comprehensive understanding of the cause of death before approving a claim. This is particularly important during the "contestability period," which typically lasts for the first two years of the policy. During this time, insurance companies have the right to investigate and may deny claims if they find inaccuracies in the policy application or if the cause of death is excluded from coverage.

Autopsy reports can also be used to confirm the identity of the deceased, ensuring that the insurance benefits are paid to the correct beneficiaries. While it may seem cumbersome, this process is essential to protect all parties involved and prevent fraudulent claims. By reviewing the autopsy report, insurance companies can verify the information provided by the beneficiaries and make informed decisions about approving or denying the claim.

In some cases, an autopsy may not be necessary, especially if the cause of death is clear and uncontested. For example, if a person dies of cancer after a prolonged illness, an autopsy may not be required. However, in cases of unexpected or suspicious deaths, an autopsy report plays a crucial role in determining the cause of death and ensuring the fair processing of insurance claims.

Overall, autopsy reports serve as an important tool for insurance companies to make informed decisions about life insurance claims. By examining the report, insurance companies can gain valuable insights into the cause of death, identify any discrepancies, and ensure that the benefits are distributed appropriately. While it may sometimes lead to delays or denials of claims, the autopsy report ultimately helps protect the interests of all stakeholders involved.

Autopsies are not always conducted, but their absence can delay or deny a claim

Insurance companies can learn later that there were inaccuracies in the policy application and may have the right to investigate, depending on when the policyholder dies. In particular, they may review toxicology and autopsy results because these tests can reveal something at odds with what the policyholder told them. For example, if an autopsy report reveals things like suicide, death during the commission of a felony, or any other cause of death that might allow them to deny the claim, they will want to see that report.

If the insured dies during the contestable period or from accidental or unusual means, in addition to satisfactory proof of loss, the company may require additional documentation such as police reports, autopsy reports or medical records. However, if the insurance company is delaying or denying a claim made more than two years after the policy was issued while it purportedly waits for an autopsy report, the company is likely engaging in the wrongful delay and/or denial of the claim.

Life insurance companies cannot wrongfully refuse to pay your claim. If the insurance company is wrongfully refusing to pay a claim, you can file a lawsuit for breach of contract. The court will review the circumstances of the case and determine whether the life insurance company must pay the claim. Families have defeated life insurance companies in court when they have hired a lawyer and stood up for themselves.

Toxicology reports are used to determine drug use

Toxicology screening can be done using a urine, blood, saliva, or hair sample. Blood tests are more accurate in determining the concentration of a particular drug in the body. The results of a toxicology screen are usually positive or negative. A positive test result indicates the presence of a drug or multiple drugs in the body. A more specific test may be done to show the exact amount of the drug present.

Toxicology reports are often required when a person dies within the first two years of the policy being issued. This is because most policies contain a "period of contestability", during which the insurance company can investigate whether the policyholder died in a manner that would exclude them from having to make a payment. One of the most common exclusions in modern life insurance policies is the drug exclusion, which relieves the insurance company from paying a death claim if the insured died while under the influence of any illegal substance.

In addition to a toxicology report, life insurance companies may also require a certified copy of the policyholder's death certificate, an autopsy report, a coroner's report, and/or a police report. These documents help the insurance company determine the precise cause of death and whether there are any reasons to deny coverage.

Death certificates are required to process a death claim

The death certificate is also important because it provides proof of death. Typically, you will need to request a copy from the funeral home or medical professional who prepared the death certificate and confirmed the time and place of death. You can also request a copy from your local vital records office by phone, in person, or online. The death certificate is one of the first documents that need to be submitted to the insurance company to start a life insurance claim. It is important to note that original copies of death certificates are usually not required.

In addition to the death certificate, beneficiaries will also need to submit a claim form and the policy contract. The claim form, also known as a "request for benefits", is where beneficiaries fill out information about the policyholder, including their policy number and the cause of death. They will also need to provide their relationship to the policyholder and how they would like to receive the death benefit. The policy document contains information about the life insurance policy, including the policy number, the amount of the death benefit, and the names of the beneficiaries. If the policy has been lost, the company will typically require the beneficiary to complete a lost policy certification.

Once the insurance company has received the completed claim form, death certificate, and policy contract, they will perform a few basic checks. They will confirm that the policy is still active and verify the identity of the beneficiary. The beneficiary may need to provide proof of identity, such as a driver's license, Social Security card, or birth certificate. The insurance company may also contact the beneficiary for further information if questions arise.

Insurance companies may deny claims if the policyholder lied on their application

Insurance Companies and Autopsies

Insurance companies have procedures in place to prevent fraudulent claims. Before paying out a death benefit to beneficiaries, insurance companies require several documents to be submitted to ensure that the claim is valid. These documents may include:

• A claim form
• A certified copy of the insured's death certificate
• The original policy
• Social security cards
• Driver's license
• Medical records
• Police reports
• Autopsy reports

Insurance companies will examine the death certificate to look for red flags, such as a smoking-related death in a person listed as a non-smoker. If there are questions about the person's health or activities, the company may contact healthcare providers or other officials to determine the answers.

If the insured dies within the first two years after the policy is issued, the insurance company typically has the right to undertake a full investigation into the circumstances of the policyholder's death. This is known as the "period of contestability". During this time, the insurance company can determine if the policyholder did not die in a manner that would exclude it from having to make a payment under the policy.

One common exclusion in modern life insurance policies is the "drug exclusion". Insurance companies do not have to pay a death claim if the insured died while under the influence of any sort of illegal substance. In this case, a toxicology report would be required.

If, at any time, it is found that the policyholder misrepresented themselves on their application, the insurance company can deny the claim.

Frequently asked questions