What to do when a Allstate account holder dies
Contact Allstate's Protective Life Policy Service — 7-step process, 8 required documents, and the claims process generally takes about two to three weeks from receipt of all required documentation. once all documents are received and the claim is approved, protective life issues payment within 3-6 business days. allstate will notify the beneficiary if additional documentation is needed.
Phone1-800-255-7828
WebsiteLearn more→
Protective Life Policy Service
Phone1-800-866-9933
Mailing Address
Protective Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 12687, Birmingham, AL 35202-6687
Variable Life Insurance Service
Annuity Customer Service
MONY/Equitable Customers
Immediate Benefit Account
WebsiteLearn more→
Protective Life Claims
Phone1-800-366-3495
Fax205-268-6833
Mailing Address
Protective Life Claims, P.O. Box 12486, Birmingham, AL 35202
Protective Life Claims Direct
Allstate Benefits (Group) Claims
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
A death claim on a Allstate policy is filed through the Protective Life Policy Service (1-800-366-3495). Because insurance proceeds pass directly to named beneficiaries, this process is separate from probate. The required documentation and timeline vary by policy type.
Allstate provides an online portal for initiating death claims, which can simplify the initial notification and document submission process. Claims can also be started by phone or by mailing the required documents.
Death claim process
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what Allstate requires:
Filing a claim
1
Notify Allstate or Protective Life of the death:
- Contact Allstate Life Claims at 800-366-3495 (Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. ET) or notify your local Allstate agent
- Alternatively, start a claim directly with Protective Life online at claims.protective.com or by calling 800-424-1592 (Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. CT)
2
Provide the beneficiary's information and the deceased's name, policy number or SSN, dates of birth and death, cause and manner of death, and country of death
3
Protective Life will verify the beneficiaries on file and send a claim packet to each beneficiary within 2-5 business days of the loss notification
4
Gather and complete required documentation:
- Each beneficiary must complete the enclosed claim form in its entirety
- Obtain a certified copy of the death certificate and return the original policy or contract if available
- Complete, sign, and return the enclosed IRS Form W-9 (Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification)
- If a trust is the beneficiary, include trust documents and trustee identification
5
Submit completed claim paperwork:
- For claims under $500,000: email to claims@protective.com or fax to 205-268-6833
- For claims over $500,000 or if mailing: send to Protective Life Claims, P.O. Box 12486, Birmingham, AL 35202
6
For Allstate Benefits (group) policies: call American Heritage Life at 800-521-3535; forms available at standard.com/ahl/resources-and-forms
7
Once all documents are received and the claim is approved, Protective Life issues payment within 3-6 business days
Required Documents
- Completed claim form (provided in the claim packet sent to each beneficiary)
- Certified death certificate (original or certified copy)
- Original policy or contract if available
- Completed IRS Form W-9 signed by the beneficiary
- Government-issued identification for the beneficiary
- Policy number and deceased's name, date of birth, date of death, and Social Security number
- Trust documents and trustee identification (if a trust is the beneficiary)
- For accidental death: copies of fire, incident/accident report, autopsy report, or coroner's report if available
Life insurance policies sold through Allstate are underwritten by Protective Life Insurance Company. Claims can be initiated through Allstate at 800-366-3495 or directly through Protective Life at 800-424-1592 or online at claims.protective.com. For claims under $500,000, completed paperwork can be emailed to claims@protective.com or faxed to 205-268-6833. For claims over $500,000, mail to Protective Life Claims, P.O. Box 12486, Birmingham, AL 35202. For Allstate Benefits (group) policies underwritten by American Heritage Life Insurance Company (now administered by The Standard), call 800-521-3535; forms available at standard.com/ahl/resources-and-forms. Each beneficiary must complete a separate claim form. You can also file and track claims through My Account at myaccount.allstate.com or the Allstate mobile app.
How long the process takes at Allstate: The claims process generally takes about two to three weeks from receipt of all required documentation. Once all documents are received and the claim is approved, Protective Life issues payment within 3-6 business days. Allstate will notify the beneficiary if additional documentation is needed. The most common reason for delays is missing or incomplete documentation, so submitting everything upfront is the best way to keep things moving.
Documentation required by Allstate includes Completed claim form (provided in the claim packet sent to each beneficiary), Certified death certificate (original or certified copy), and Original policy or contract if available, along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
An ILIT is an irrevocable trust that owns a life insurance policy, removing the death benefit from the grantor's taxable estate for federal estate tax purposes. You can use an ILIT with Allstate life insurance policies underwritten by Protective Life. The trust itself owns the policy and is the designated beneficiary. For new policies, have the trustee apply as the policy owner from inception to avoid the three-year lookback rule (IRC Section 2035). If an existing policy is transferred to an ILIT and the insured dies within three years, the proceeds are included in the taxable estate. Allstate does not set up ILITs; consult an estate attorney to establish one.
Call Allstate Life Claims at 800-366-3495 (Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. ET) or notify your local Allstate agent. You can also start a claim directly with Protective Life online at claims.protective.com or by calling 800-424-1592 (Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. CT). You will receive a claim form with instructions. Complete the form, attach a certified death certificate and beneficiary identification, and submit all documents. You can also file and track claims through My Account at myaccount.allstate.com. For Allstate Benefits (group) policies, call American Heritage Life at 800-521-3535.
After filing a death claim, the claims process generally takes about two to three weeks from receipt of all required documentation. Once all documents are received and the claim is approved, Protective Life issues payment within 3-6 business days. The timeline depends on the completeness of the submitted paperwork and whether additional documentation or review is required. For policies underwritten by Protective Life, you may also contact Protective Life directly at 800-424-1592 or check claim status online at claims.protective.com.
Allstate sold its employer voluntary benefits business (Allstate Benefits / American Heritage Life Insurance Company) to Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) on April 1, 2025. Group benefit products including voluntary life, accident, and critical illness insurance continue under the Allstate Benefits brand during transition but are now administered by The Standard. For group policy service, beneficiary changes, or claims, visit standard.com/ahl/resources-and-forms or call 800-521-3535. Mail forms to American Heritage Life Insurance Company, 1776 American Heritage Life Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224, or fax to 866-428-2517.
Allstate's Protective Life Claims can be reached by phone at 1-800-366-3495, email at claims@protective.com, and fax at 205-268-6833 for questions throughout the claims process.
Multiple Allstate policies may mean multiple claims. Some account types can be processed together, but others require their own documentation. Check with the Protective Life Policy Service to confirm what applies.
Phone1-800-255-7828
WebsiteLearn more→
Protective Life Policy Service
Phone1-800-866-9933
Mailing Address
Protective Life Insurance Company, P.O. Box 12687, Birmingham, AL 35202-6687
Variable Life Insurance Service
Annuity Customer Service
MONY/Equitable Customers
Immediate Benefit Account
WebsiteLearn more→
Protective Life Claims
Phone1-800-366-3495
Fax205-268-6833
Mailing Address
Protective Life Claims, P.O. Box 12486, Birmingham, AL 35202
Protective Life Claims Direct
Allstate Benefits (Group) Claims
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
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