What to do when a Baltimore Life account holder dies
Report the death to Baltimore Life Claims Department at 1-800-628-5433
A death claim on a Baltimore Life policy is filed through Baltimore Life Claims Department (1-800-628-5433). Because insurance proceeds pass directly to named beneficiaries, this process is separate from probate. The required documentation and timeline vary by policy type.
To start a claim, contact Baltimore Life by phone at 1-800-628-5433 or email documentation to claimsfax@baltlife.com. You will need the account holder's full name, account numbers, and the death certificate.
Death claim process
The death claim process at Baltimore Life works as follows:
Filing a claim
- Give the policy number(s) and the deceased person's name, date of birth and date of death
- Give the claimant's full legal name, mailing address, relationship to the insured and contact information
- Use a street address in Section B. The form states a PO Box is not an acceptable formal address
- Section C: make the federal income tax withholding election and certify the taxpayer identification number
- Section D and the bound-in Form 7712: only if the policy was issued or reinstated within two years before the death, and never on an annuity claim
- Section E: complete it to be paid by direct deposit instead of check
- $19,999 or less: fax to (866) 879-9867 or email claimsfax@baltlife.com. Do not also mail the originals of paperwork that was faxed or emailed
- $20,000 or more: mail the paperwork with the original certified death certificate to The Baltimore Life Insurance Company, Attn: Claims Department, 10075 Red Run Blvd., Owings Mills, MD 21117
- The Baltimore Life Insurance Company, Attn: Claims Department, 10075 Red Run Blvd., Owings Mills, MD 21117
Required Documents
- Claimant's Statement (Form 258) and the beneficiary's government-issued photo IDEach beneficiary completes and signs a separate statement.
- Original certified death certificate, if the total claim across all Baltimore Life policies is $20,000 or moreWith a raised or colored seal and showing the manner and cause of death. Sent by U.S. mail.
- Legible copy of the death certificate, if the total claim across all Baltimore Life policies is $19,999 or lessFrom $10,000 to $19,999, a second proof of death is also needed: an obituary, funeral home bill or contract. Fax or email is accepted.
- Policy number(s) and the original policy document(s), if available
- Proof of a beneficiary's death, if a beneficiary died before or after the insuredAn obituary, mass card or death certificate.
- Trust documentation, if the beneficiary is a trustIncluding trustee identification and successor trustee provisions.
- Court-appointed guardianship documentation, if the beneficiary is a minorMay be required.
- Short Certificate or Letters Testamentary or Administration, and the estate EIN, if the claim is payable to the estateShowing the claimant is executor. The estate EIN goes in the beneficiary SSN field of Section B of the Claimant's Statement.
- Section D and Form 7712 HIPAA authorization of the Claimant's Statement, if the insured died within two years of policy issue or reinstatement; never on an annuity claimSection D lists the physicians, hospitals and institutions seen in the two years before death. Form 7712 is pages 4-5 of Form 258, signed by the claimant and a witness.
- A medical facility's own release, and a Next-of-Kin Affidavit or Letters, if the claim is contestableA medical facility may require its own release. Where a personal representative has been appointed, a Next-of-Kin Affidavit or Letters Testamentary or Administration may also be required.
- Accident report, if the death was accidentalMay be required.
- Power of attorney documentation, if the beneficiary cannot sign because of mental or physical illnessSubmitted with the claim paperwork.
- The funeral home's signed Assignment, for payment directed to a funeral homeObtained from the funeral home. An irrevocable assignment also needs an itemized funeral bill.
- Official record of death authenticated by a U.S. Diplomatic and Consular Representative, for a death outside the U.S.
Claims Contact
Website: Online portal →
Forms Baltimore Life issues1
- Claimant's Statement (Form 258-1125)
Completed by each beneficiary. Available to download.1
What happens to each kind of account2
- Life insurance policy
The named beneficiary files the claim. If the primary beneficiary died before the insured, the proceeds go to the contingent beneficiary.2
If the beneficiary died after the insured, the proceeds are payable to that beneficiary's estate. The appointed representative completes the Claimant's Statement and sends Letters Testamentary or Administration.2
- Annuity
The process for an annuity death benefit differs from a life insurance claim. Baltimore Life gives the annuity-specific procedure by phone.2
What Baltimore Life's agreement and guidance say4
- How proceeds are paid
For a claim that is not contestable, the check is mailed directly to the claimant or sent to the local Baltimore Life agency for delivery.2
Proceeds can be paid directly to a funeral home if the beneficiary signs the funeral home's Assignment.2
Direct deposit, requested in Section E of the Claimant's Statement, goes only to a checking account in the claimant's own name, with a voided check or other proof of the account attached. Savings accounts are not accepted.1
- Payment to a minor or incapacitated beneficiary
Where the beneficiary is a minor or is incarcerated, Baltimore Life reviews the applicable state law to determine how the proceeds can be paid.2
If the beneficiary cannot file because of mental or physical illness, the funds are still paid to the beneficiary on file. The beneficiary's attorney-in-fact may sign the claim paperwork, with the power of attorney documents submitted with the claim.2
- Contestability of a recent policy
A claim where the insured died within two years of policy issue or reinstatement is contestable and may lead to a medical investigation under the Form 7712 HIPAA authorization.2
- What it says about taxes
Baltimore Life's Claimant's Statement withholds federal income tax at 10% unless the claimant elects otherwise in Section C, where the claimant also certifies a taxpayer identification number.1
Sources2
For a claim that is not contestable, 7-10 business days from receipt of all required paperwork.
Baltimore Life Claims Department can be reached by phone at 1-800-628-5433, email at claimsfax@baltlife.com, and fax at 1-866-879-9867 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Baltimore Life primary sources (15 pages reviewed). How we research.
Baltimore Life death claims support
Baltimore Life Claims Department
Phone
Fax
Mailing address
Website
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