What to do when a American Family account holder dies
Contact American Family — 6-step process, 6 required documents, and claims are processed after all necessary forms and documentation are received; settlement payment follows approval
Customer Service
Phone1-800-MYAMFAM
Toll-Free1-800-692-6326
Mailing Address
6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783
WebsiteLearn more→
Customer Service
Phone1-800-MYAMFAM
Toll-Free1-800-692-6326
Mailing Address
6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783
WebsiteLearn more→
Life Insurance Claims
Toll-Free1-800-692-6326 ext. 78080
Mailing Address
6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
When an insured person dies, the beneficiary or executor should contact American Family's Life Insurance Claims at 1-800-692-6326 ext. 78080 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.
American Family 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
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at American Family:
Filing a claim
1
Notify American Family Insurance of the death:
- Submit a claim online at amfam.com/customer/forms/report-a-life-insurance-claim
- Call 1-800-MYAMFAM (1-800-692-6326), ext. 78080
- Contact your local American Family Insurance agent in person
2
Provide required information about the insured:
- Full name of the insured
- Date of birth
- State of residence
- State of death
- Life insurance policy number (if available)
- Date and manner of death
3
Provide beneficiary information to expedite processing:
- Beneficiary contact information
- Beneficiary relationships to the insured
- Beneficiary dates of birth
4
Gather and submit required documentation:
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Funeral home contact information
- Completed claim forms as provided by American Family Life Insurance Company
- IRS Form W-9 (Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification)
- If a trust is the beneficiary: include trust documents and trustee identification
5
American Family Life Insurance Company will process the claim once all necessary forms and documentation are received
6
Select a settlement option once the claim is approved:
- Lump Sum Payment: receive the full benefit via check or Electronic Funds Transfer
- Retained Asset Account (RAA): interest-bearing draft account with $500 minimum withdrawal
- Interest Income: annual distributions of interest earned
- Fixed Period Payments: installments over 5 to 30 years
- Life Income: guaranteed lifetime payments
- Fixed Amount Payments: periodic payments of a specified amount
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Funeral home contact information
- Completed claim form(s) provided by American Family Life Insurance Company
- IRS Form W-9 (Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification)
- Original policy or contract (if available)
- Trust documents and trustee identification (if a trust is the beneficiary)
Life insurance claims can be filed online, by phone, or through a local American Family agent. An experienced claims representative will assist beneficiaries in selecting the appropriate settlement option. Multiple payout options are available, including lump sum, retained asset accounts, interest income, fixed period payments, life income, and fixed amount payments.
How long the process takes at American Family: Claims are processed after all necessary forms and documentation are received; settlement payment follows approval. The most common reason for delays is missing or incomplete documentation, so submitting everything upfront is the best way to keep things moving.
American Family requires several documents to process a claim, including Certified copy of the death certificate, Funeral home contact information, and Completed claim form(s) provided by American Family Life Insurance Company, and additional documentation depending on the account type. Certified copies are typically needed—photocopies are generally not accepted for death certificates or court documents.
Frequently asked questions
You can file a life insurance claim online at amfam.com/customer/forms/report-a-life-insurance-claim, by calling 1-800-MYAMFAM (1-800-692-6326) ext. 78080, or by contacting your local American Family Insurance agent. You will need the insured's full name, date of birth, state of residence, state of death, and the death certificate.
American Family offers multiple settlement options: Lump Sum Payment (full benefit via check or EFT), Retained Asset Account (interest-bearing draft account with $500 minimum withdrawal), Interest Income (annual interest distributions), Fixed Period Payments (installments over 5-30 years), Life Income (guaranteed lifetime payments), and Fixed Amount Payments (periodic payments of a specified amount). A claims representative will help beneficiaries select the appropriate option.
American Family's Life Insurance Claims can be reached by phone at 1-800-692-6326 ext. 78080 for questions throughout the claims process.
When the deceased had multiple American Family policies, some may need separate claims while others can be handled together. The Life Insurance Claims can clarify what's needed for each account type.
Customer Service
Phone1-800-MYAMFAM
Toll-Free1-800-692-6326
Mailing Address
6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783
WebsiteLearn more→
Customer Service
Phone1-800-MYAMFAM
Toll-Free1-800-692-6326
Mailing Address
6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783
WebsiteLearn more→
Life Insurance Claims
Toll-Free1-800-692-6326 ext. 78080
Mailing Address
6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Apr 2026
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