What to do when an Aflac account holder dies
Report the death to Aflac Claims Department at 1-800-992-3522
When an insured person dies, the beneficiary or executor should contact Aflac Claims Department at 1-800-992-3522 to start the claims process. Insurance proceeds are paid directly to the named beneficiary and do not go through probate. How quickly the claim is processed depends on the policy type, documentation, and cause of death.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at Aflac:
Filing a claim
- A New York policy: American Family Life Assurance Company of New York
- An employer group certificate: Continental American Insurance Company (Aflac Group)
- A direct-to-consumer policy, including final expense: Tier One Insurance Company
- An Aflac Group universal life certificate: underwritten by Trustmark Insurance Company, with its own claims address in Worcester, MA
- Log in at MyAflac. Aflac calls online filing the fastest method, available 24/7. Final expense, network vision and Medicare supplement each have a separate login there.
- Use the MyAflac mobile app for iOS or Android.
- Download a state-specific claim form from the fax or mail page. Aflac states "Claim forms are state specific."
- Call 800-992-3522, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Eastern time.
- Flatten any document that has been folded or crumpled before photographing it, and keep it flat in frame.
- Check the lighting. Aflac says a document that is already dark before submission will not be legible after it.
- Do not highlight anything. Aflac states the highlighted area will show as illegible and block out the text underneath.
- Submit only the medical documentation as proof of services when uploading from a phone.
- A New York policy: 800-366-3436
- An Aflac Group certificate: 800-433-3036
- A Tier One direct-to-consumer policy, including final expense: 866-990-2668
- A Trustmark-underwritten universal life certificate: 800-225-3859
- The form warns that "Failure to complete all sections may result in a delay in processing of the claim."
- Individual policy: Aflac, 1932 Wynnton Road, Columbus, GA 31999, or fax 877-442-3522
- Aflac Group certificate: Continental American Insurance Company, Post Office Box 84075, Columbus, GA 31993, fax 866-849-2970, or email groupclaimfiling@aflac.com
- Trustmark-underwritten universal life: Attn: Life Claims, PO Box 60676, Worcester, MA 01606, fax 508-853-0310, or email Claims@ULAflac.com
Required Documents
- At least three identifying details for the policyFrom the policy number, the policyholder's name, date of birth and address.
- Completed state-specific life/accidental death claim form, for an individual policyChosen by the policyholder's state of residence.
- Aflac Group Beneficiary's Statement, for an employer group certificate
- Beneficiary StatementCompleted and signed by the named beneficiary.
- Certified death certificate for the insuredAflac states "A death certificate copy is acceptable if the total benefit amount is $50,000 or less."
- The deceased's full name, date of birth and Social Security numberWith the claimant's relationship to the policyholder or beneficiary.
- Physician's statement, if the policy is less than two years old or was reinstated within two yearsCompleted by the deceased's regular doctor, "not necessarily the doctor who attended the deceased at death."
- Police report, if the police investigated the deathAflac names motor vehicle accidents, homicide and house fire. Where the deceased was the driver, include the BAC and toxicology report.
- Authorization to Obtain InformationSigned by a next of kin or executor, with a copy of the court order of appointment. Aflac's form says an authorization the deceased person signed ends at death.
- Certified death certificate for the beneficiary, if the beneficiary died before the insured
- Court order appointing the guardian of the property and/or estate of the minor, if a minor is the beneficiaryAflac states that "custody or guardian of a person does not qualify as guardianship."
- Certificate of the executor's or administrator's appointment and qualifications, for a Trustmark-underwritten certificate payable to the estate
Claims Contact
Website: Online portal →
Forms Aflac issues3
- State-specific life/accidental death claim form
Available to download.1
- Life claim form for Illinois
Sent by the institution on request.1
- Beneficiary's Statement (Aflac Group life / AD&D rider claim)
Available to download.2
State requirements Aflac statesIllinois
- Illinois
Aflac states that "Life claim forms for the state of Illinois must be obtained by contacting Aflac Worldwide Headquarters at 800.992.3522 to have the appropriate forms sent to you."1
Accounts handled elsewhere4
- American Family Life Assurance Company of New York
Aflac policies issued in New York3
Phone: 1-800-366-3436
- Continental American Insurance Company (Aflac Group)
Aflac Group employer certificates3
Phone: 1-800-433-3036
Email: groupclaimfiling@aflac.com
Fax: 1-866-849-2970
Mailing address: Continental American Insurance Company, P.O. Box 84075, Columbus, GA 31993
- Tier One Insurance Company
Direct-to-consumer Aflac policies, including final expense3
Phone: 1-866-990-2668
- Trustmark Insurance Company
Aflac Group universal life certificates3
Phone: 1-800-225-3859
Email: claims@ulaflac.com
Fax: 1-508-853-0310
Mailing address: Attn: Life Claims, P.O. Box 60676, Worcester, MA 01606
What Aflac's agreement and guidance say3
- How proceeds are paid
Aflac pays by direct deposit when it is set up at least 24 hours before the claim is filed; otherwise it mails a check. Enrollment in direct deposit can take up to two business days.3
- Contestability of a recent policy
Aflac describes the contestability period as a one-to-two-year window at the start of a policy during which a claim is reviewed more closely.4
- Payment to a minor or incapacitated beneficiary
Aflac requires a court order appointing the guardian of a minor beneficiary's property and/or estate, and states that "custody or guardian of a person does not qualify as guardianship."5
Not in Aflac's published guidance1
- How long a claim takes
Sources5
- 1.File via Fax or Mail
- 2.Beneficiary's Statement (Aflac Group life / AD&D rider claim)
- 3.File a Claim
- 4.How long does life insurance take to pay out?
- 5.Life/Accidental Death Claims Checklist
Aflac Claims Department can be reached by phone at 1-800-992-3522 and fax at 1-877-442-3522 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Aflac primary sources (15 pages reviewed). How we research.
Aflac death claims support
Aflac Claims Department (Life / Accidental Death)
Phone
Aflac New York Claims
Aflac New York Claims Fax
Aflac Tier One (final expense) Customer Service
Fax
Hours
Mailing address
Website
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