Bridgecrest logo

Bridgecrest

Subsidiary of Bridgecrest Acceptance Corporation

bridgecrest.com

What to do when a Bridgecrest account holder dies

Report the death to Bridgecrest Customer Service at 1-800-967-8526

Bridgecrest balances do not pass to anyone at death — they are settled. The executor reports the death to Bridgecrest Customer Service (1-800-967-8526), gets the date-of-death balance in writing, and resolves it through the estate's creditor process.

Gather the account holder's full name, date of birth, and any known account or policy numbers before contacting Bridgecrest.

Death claim process

To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what Bridgecrest requires:

Filing a claim

1
Contact Bridgecrest within 30 days of the account holder's death. Bridgecrest Customer Service is at 1-800-967-8526, and Bridgecrest also answers account questions by text at 602-831-0050.
2
The representative or executor of the estate faxes the legal documents regarding the death and the appointment of authorized parties to Bridgecrest Customer Service at 866-895-3504. This begins "the debt assumption process."
3
To pay off the loan, log in to the account for a payoff quote. A final payoff sent by mail goes to Lockbox Services, Bridgecrest - Box 842695, 3440 Flair Drive, 4th Floor, El Monte, CA 91731.
  • Bridgecrest says "it can take time to process your account payoff and title release." Call Bridgecrest Customer Service at 1-800-967-8526 for an update on the title release

Required Documents

  • Legal documents regarding the account holder's death, from the person authorized to act as the representative or executor of the estateFaxed to Bridgecrest Customer Service at 866-895-3504 to begin the debt assumption process.
  • Legal documents regarding the appointment of authorized parties, from the person authorized to act as the representative or executor of the estateFaxed with the death documents to Bridgecrest Customer Service at 866-895-3504.

What happens to each kind of account1

Loan

A surviving co-signer, co-borrower or co-buyer on the account is "obligated to meet the terms of the contract and will be solely responsible for the account and contract obligations."1

Bridgecrest says it "is unable to release one or both parties from the account as both people are liable for the debt."2

Once the final payment pays off the account, the lien is released and the title is sent to the address on file with Bridgecrest.3

The account accrues simple interest daily, and the contract has a "No Grace Period" clause: a payment not made on time owes additional interest, and possibly late fees.4

What Bridgecrest provides to the estate1

Payoff statement

A payoff quote shows after logging in to the account: the current remaining balance plus any applicable interest and fees. A 10-day payoff adds 10 days' worth of interest charges, giving time to submit payment in full.4

What Bridgecrest's agreement and guidance say1

Fees

Bridgecrest "may assess a late fee of up to $10.00 for any payments that are not paid within 15 days of the due date."4

Not in Bridgecrest's published guidance5

  • How long a claim takes
  • A claim form
  • Whether the death certificate must be certified
  • A mailing address for claim documents
  • Which court appointment document it accepts

Sources4

Download instructions for the whole estate

Bridgecrest Customer Service can be reached by phone at 1-800-967-8526 and fax at 1-866-895-3504 for questions throughout the claims process.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·

Sources

Data sourced from Bridgecrest primary sources (12 pages reviewed). How we research.

Bridgecrest death claims support

Bridgecrest Customer Service

Text an Agent

Fax

1-866-895-3504
Verified Sep 2026

Estate planning articles

Learn how to protect your Bridgecrest accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.

Forms for Settling an Estate

Free forms for settling an estate: the probate petition, small estate affidavit, notice to creditors, inventory, and closing forms.

Free

Digital Assets Recovery Letter

Prepare a letter requesting a deceased person's online accounts, points, and balances from the program that holds them.

Get Started
Free

Petition for Probate and Letters

Open probate and ask the court to appoint you and issue Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.

Get Started
Free

Notice to Creditors

Notify estate creditors and start the claim period — the published notice plus mailed copies for known creditors.

Get Started
Free

Renunciation of Executor

Decline an appointment as executor named in a will — the writing filed with the court before anyone is appointed.

Get Started
Free

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.

Get Started
Free

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.

Get Started
Free

Estate Inventory

Prepare the probate inventory of estate property — every asset at its date-of-death value, composed to your state's statute, with the state's filing or delivery instructions.

Get Started
Free

Estate Closing

Prepare the paperwork that closes the estate — the state's closing statement, petition for discharge, or final account, with the state's closing instructions and the optional federal forms.

Get Started

All forms

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.

Use Calculator

Do I Need Probate?

Find out if an estate needs probate or qualifies for simplified procedures.

Check Now

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.

Check Requirements

How Do I Settle an Estate?

Personalized plan for settling an estate after someone passes away.

Get Plan

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.

Get the Checklist

How Much Are Estate & Inheritance Taxes?

Calculate federal estate tax, state estate tax, and inheritance tax for an estate.

Use Calculator

What Taxes Apply to My Inheritance?

Inheritance tax by state, federal tax on inheritance, and timeline estimates for receiving money, property, or retirement assets.

Learn More

How Does Step-Up in Basis Work?

Calculate the new cost basis on inherited assets under IRC § 1014 and project capital gains tax savings.

Use Calculator

All tools