Haris Ashley
MetLife offers a range of support services to help beneficiaries navigate the process of filing a life insurance claim. To submit a life insurance claim, beneficiaries must complete and return a claim kit, which includes a claim form and other required documents, such as the death certificate. MetLife provides two types of claim kits: the Individual Beneficiary Claim Kit and the Trust/Entity Claim Kit. The Individual Beneficiary Claim Kit is for named beneficiaries of the policy, while the Trust/Entity Claim Kit is for those claiming proceeds on behalf of an estate, trust, or company. In both cases, beneficiaries must provide personal details and information about the insured, such as their social security number, insurance policy number, and relationship to the beneficiary. MetLife also offers resources to support beneficiaries during this challenging time, including grief counselling and guidance on handling funeral arrangements and settling the deceased's estate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to check for a MetLife life insurance policy | Use MetLife's Policy Finder tool to search for a policy online |
| How to submit a life insurance claim | Download the life insurance claim kit and return it to MetLife, along with the death certificate and any other required documents as outlined in the kit |
| How to obtain a death certificate | If you're related to the insured, you can obtain a death certificate from the funeral home or contact the local authority responsible for providing vital records |
| How to submit the claim for review | If the policy is less than $100,000 or the original/certified death certificate is already on file, you can submit your claim and documents online, by email, fax, or mail |
| How to check the status of a claim | Call MetLife's customer service team at 1-800-638-5000 for updates |
| How long it takes for MetLife to approve a claim | MetLife will review the claim within 5 business days and respond within 10 business days if more information is needed |
| How beneficiaries will be paid | Each beneficiary needs to submit a claim kit to get paid; MetLife will pay each beneficiary separately as it receives the required claim documents |
| How soon the beneficiary will receive payment | Once the claim is approved, the beneficiary can receive funds by depositing them into a MetLife Total Control Account or by receiving a check via USPS within 5 business days |
What You'll Learn
Using MetLife's Policy Finder tool
MetLife's Policy Finder tool is an online search tool that can help you find a policy you may have forgotten about or a legacy that a loved one may have provided for you. This tool searches through records currently on MetLife's database of individual life insurance policies. It does not search group life policies (i.e. policies provided through employment).
To use the tool, you will need to provide information about the person whose life is insured under the policy. This might be different from the policy owner, who may have purchased the policy on the insured's behalf. You can provide the insured person's name, and if you are unsure of their exact birthdate, you can select a different year to try and find a match.
If you are unable to locate a policy, it could be that no MetLife policy existed for the insured person. It is also possible that the policy proceeds were already paid under the policy or that the policy proceeds were already turned over to the state (called "escheatment"). In this case, you can check with the unclaimed funds website for your state or the insured person's state.
If you need further assistance, you can contact MetLife by using the form on their website or calling their customer support line at 1-800-LIFE-LONG (543-3566).
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Checking the deceased's bank statements
Locate the Deceased's Bank Accounts:
Start by gathering any electronic records of the deceased, such as their emails or online accounts. These may provide valuable information about their banking institutions. If you don't have access to their digital records, you can try calling banks in your area to inquire about any accounts in their name. Be prepared to provide identifying information, such as their full name and date of birth.
Obtain a Death Certificate:
Before the bank releases any information, you will likely need to provide a copy of the death certificate. Contact the funeral home, county/state where the death occurred, or a third-party vendor to obtain certified copies. It is recommended to have around 10-12 certified copies, as these will be required by various institutions during the settlement process.
Contact the Bank:
Once you have identified the deceased's bank(s), contact them and request their account statements. You may be able to obtain these statements online or by visiting a branch in person. Be sure to have the death certificate and any other relevant documentation with you. The bank should be able to provide information about the account and guide you through the next steps.
Review the Bank Statements:
Carefully review the bank statements to identify any regular payments or transactions that may be related to insurance policies. Look for payments made to insurance companies, as this could indicate the existence of a life insurance policy. Also, check for any automated services or subscriptions that need to be cancelled.
Take Necessary Actions:
After reviewing the bank statements, take the appropriate actions. If you find evidence of insurance policy payments, contact the insurance carriers to inquire about any benefits or support services that may be available to you. Additionally, notify credit card issuers and other financial institutions of the deceased's passing to prevent fees and interest charges.
Remember, each situation is unique, and there may be additional steps or variations in the process depending on your specific circumstances and location. Don't hesitate to reach out to relevant authorities, such as the probate court or financial advisors, for guidance if needed.
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Contacting the state's department of insurance
Checking the beneficiary of a MetLife life insurance policy can be a difficult process, but there are several ways to do so. One way is to contact your state's department of insurance. Each state has its own department of insurance, and they can provide you with information and assistance regarding your MetLife life insurance policy.
The department of insurance is responsible for regulating the insurance industry in their state, which includes overseeing insurance companies like MetLife. They can help you understand your rights and options as a beneficiary and provide guidance on how to file a claim. They may also be able to help you resolve any issues or disputes you may have with MetLife.
To contact your state's department of insurance, you can typically find their contact information on your state's government website. This may include a phone number, email address, or physical address. When you reach out, it's helpful to have as much information as possible about the policy and the insured individual, such as their name, date of birth, and any policy or account numbers.
In addition to contacting the state's department of insurance, there are other ways to check the beneficiary of a MetLife life insurance policy. MetLife offers a Policy Finder tool on their website, which allows you to search for a life insurance policy online. This tool searches through their database of individual life insurance policies. However, it's important to note that it does not search group life policies provided through employment. If you are the beneficiary, you can also contact MetLife directly to initiate the claims process. They have a dedicated website for beneficiaries, where you can learn about the claims process, find answers to frequently asked questions, and download or complete the necessary claim forms.
Checking the beneficiary of a life insurance policy can be a challenging process, especially during a difficult time. By reaching out to your state's department of insurance and utilizing the resources provided by MetLife, you can navigate this process more effectively and ensure that you receive the support and assistance you need.
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Checking with the deceased's employer
Contacting the Deceased's Employer
Start by reaching out to the deceased's former employer or labour union. It's possible that they were covered by a group life insurance policy provided through their employment. Even if the deceased's employer does not have coverage with MetLife, they may still be able to provide valuable information about any existing policies and whether you are listed as a beneficiary.
Information to Provide
When contacting the employer, be prepared to provide detailed information about the deceased, such as their full name, date of birth, and date of passing. You may also need to share your relationship to the deceased and your own personal information for verification purposes.
Reviewing Financial Documents
In addition to contacting the employer, it's a good idea to review the deceased's financial documents. Look for life insurance policies, receipts, or evidence of payments in their checkbook register or bank statements. These documents may provide clues about the insurance company they were using and the type of policy they had.
Using Online Tools
If you have access to the deceased's digital records, you can also try using online tools such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' (NAIC) Life Insurance Policy Locator Service. This service allows you to search for policies on the databases of many insurance companies. Additionally, some states have Department of Insurance (DOI) websites where you can input information about the deceased to find out if they had insurance policies.
Taking Advantage of Support Services
If the deceased's employer has coverage with MetLife, they may offer support services such as grief counselling and funeral assistance. These services can be incredibly valuable during a difficult time. Don't hesitate to reach out and ask for help; that's what these services are there for.
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Contacting insurance carriers
If you are a beneficiary, you can contact MetLife by calling 1-800-638-5000. This customer service line can be used to ask any questions or address any concerns you may have about filing a life insurance claim. MetLife's customer service team is available Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern time.
You can also contact MetLife by filling out an online form on their website. After submitting the form, MetLife will investigate and contact you with more information within 45 business days.
If you are the policy owner, you can contact MetLife's customer service representatives at 800-638-5000 for assistance with any other forms.
Additionally, MetLife offers a Policy Finder tool on their website, which can help you locate a life insurance policy. This tool searches through records on their database of individual life insurance policies and does not include group life policies provided through employment.
If you are having trouble locating a policy, you can try modifying your search by using nicknames or selecting a different year of birth. If you are still unable to find the policy, it may be that no MetLife policy exists for the insured individual. It is also possible that the policy proceeds were already paid or escheated to the state. In this case, you can check with your state's unclaimed funds website or that of the insured's state.
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Frequently asked questions
You can submit a life insurance claim by downloading the life insurance claim kit. There are two claim kits: the individual beneficiary claim kit and the trust/entity claim kit. The individual beneficiary claim kit is for those who are the named beneficiary of the policy, while the trust/entity claim kit is for those claiming the proceeds on behalf of an estate, trust, or company.
If you are an individual beneficiary, you will need to provide personal details about yourself and the insured, including your social security number, your relationship to the insured, and the insurance policy number(s) you are claiming. If you are a trust or entity, you will need to provide the same information about the insured, as well as information about the trust/entity, including the full name, your relationship to the trust/entity, address, date the trust was established, and tax identification number.
If you are related to the insured, you can obtain a death certificate from the funeral home. If the funeral home is unable to provide a copy, contact the local authority responsible for providing vital records in the place where the death occurred.
