What to do when an American Family account holder dies
Report the death to American Family's Life Insurance Claims at 1-800-692-6326 ext. 78080
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.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at American Family:
Filing a claim
- Life insurance: American Family Life Insurance Company. Use the Report a Life Insurance Claim form or the life claims line
- Annuities: Protective Life Insurance Company issues and pays them, through American Family Brokerage, Inc. That claim is filed with Protective, not with American Family
- Auto, home and renters policies pay no death benefit
- American Family Life policy numbers are 8 digits and begin with S, U, L, P, J, 0, 1, 2, 3 or 9. A number in any other format is not an American Family Life policy
- Online: the Report a Life Insurance Claim form
- By phone: 1-800-MYAMFAM (1-800-692-6326) ext. 78080
- In person: the local American Family agency owner
- The insured: full name, date of birth, date of death, state of residence, and the state or country where the death occurred
- Cause of death: accident, homicide, natural (illness), suicide, or other
- Policy number, if available (optional on the form)
- The reporter: name, relationship to the deceased person, address, phone and email. Funeral home information can be added in the optional field
- Beneficiary contact information, relationships to the insured, and dates of birth speed processing
Required Documents
- Death certificateA certified copy.
- Funeral home contact information
- Completed claim forms provided by American Family Life Insurance Company, one sent to each beneficiary
- IRS Form W-9 (Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification)
- Policy number, if available8 digits, beginning with S, U, L, P, J, 0, 1, 2, 3 or 9.
- Original policy or contract, if available
- Trust documents and trustee identification, if a trust is the beneficiary
Claims Contact
Website: Online portal →
Forms American Family issues2
- Report a Life Insurance Claim
Completed by anyone reporting the death. Completed online.1
- Claim forms for each beneficiary
Completed by each beneficiary. Sent by the institution on request.2
What happens to each kind of account3
- Life insurance policy
Life insurance claims go to American Family Life Insurance Company, and the benefit is paid to the named beneficiary outside probate.2
- Annuity
Annuities are issued and paid by Protective Life Insurance Company through American Family Brokerage, Inc. The annuity death claim is filed with Protective, not with American Family.2
- Auto, home or renters policy
An auto, home or renters policy pays no death benefit and has no beneficiary, so no life claim is filed for it. Coverage is transferred to the heir or trust that takes title, or cancelled once the vehicle or property is sold or retitled.2
Cancellation runs through the agency owner; the customer care center routes the request to the agent or submits a cancellation request form for you. An accident or storm-damage claim is reported separately at amfam.com/claims.2, 3
Accounts handled elsewhere1
- Protective Life Insurance Company
Annuities sold through American Family Brokerage, Inc., including the annuity death claim2
Help American Family offers survivors1
- Empathy
Beneficiaries can enroll with Empathy at no cost for help with the administrative, emotional, legal and financial work after a death, including settling the estate, probate, claiming benefits and cancelling accounts. Empathy is not affiliated with American Family Life and is solely responsible for its services.2
Who qualifies: Beneficiaries of eligible American Family Life Insurance Company policies sold by American Family agency owners. Not available for all policies in Oregon. Ask the claims representative or agency owner to enroll you.
What American Family's agreement and guidance say3
- Who can get account information
Anyone can report the death, but the report form states: "if you are not the named beneficiary on the policy(ies), we will be unable to provide any information or communications to you."1
- Telling the institution
The report form states that "completion of this form does not admit that American Family Life Insurance Company has any insurance in force and does not waive any of its rights and defenses." Reporting a death is not a coverage determination.1
- How proceeds are paid
Once the claim is approved the beneficiary chooses a settlement option: a lump sum by check or electronic funds transfer, or a Retained Asset Account, an interest-bearing draft account that works like a checking account, with a $500 withdrawal minimum.2
The other options are Interest Income (annual interest payments, with withdrawals or full payout at any time), Fixed Period (equal installments over 5 to 30 years), Life Income (payments for your lifetime), and Fixed Amount (equal payments until the proceeds run out). Options vary by contract.2
Sources3
American Family's Life Insurance Claims can be reached by phone at 1-800-692-6326 ext. 78080 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from American Family primary sources (18 pages reviewed). How we research.
American Family death claims support
Life Insurance Claims (American Family Life Insurance Company)
Toll-free
Mailing address
Website
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your American Family accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
Is this your situation?
Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.
Forms for Settling an Estate
Free forms for settling an estate: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.
Digital Assets Recovery Letter
Prepare a letter requesting a deceased person's online accounts, points, and balances from the program that holds them.
Petition for Probate and Letters
Open probate and ask the court to appoint you and issue Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
Notice to Creditors
Notify estate creditors and start the claim period — the published notice plus mailed copies for known creditors.
Renunciation of Executor
Decline an appointment as executor named in a will — the writing filed with the court before anyone is appointed.
Affidavit of Heirship
Prepare the sworn statement of a deceased person's family history and heirs for recording in the county land records, with your state's recording instructions.
Small Estate Affidavit
Collect a small estate's property without probate — the sworn affidavit presented to banks and other holders, with a presentation letter for each.
Tools for Settling an Estate
Free tools for settling an estate: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
Calculate how many certified death certificates you need and see ordering info for your state.
Do I Need Probate?
Find out if an estate needs probate or qualifies for simplified procedures.
Do I Have to File Tax Returns for Someone Who Died?
Find out which tax returns need to be filed after someone dies and whether tax clearance is required.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Personalized plan for settling an estate after someone passes away.
What Do I Do When Someone Dies?
A step-by-step checklist for the days, weeks, and months after a death, with state rules noted where they apply.
How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?
Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax, and inheritance tax for an estate.
