What to do when a Colonial Life account holder dies
Contact Colonial Life — 6-step process, 6 required documents, and claims are typically processed within 14 business days after all required documentation is received. online submissions with direct deposit may result in faster payment.
Policyholder Support
Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company, P.O. Box 1365, Columbia, SC 29202
Policyholder Support
Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company, P.O. Box 1365, Columbia, SC 29202
Loss of Life Claims
Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company, P.O. Box 1365, Columbia, SC 29202
Filing a death claim on a Colonial Life policy begins with notifying the Loss of Life Claims at 1-800-325-4368. Life insurance claims are separate from probate—proceeds transfer directly to named beneficiaries regardless of whether the estate goes through court. The timeline and documentation requirements depend on the policy type and cause of death.
Colonial Life 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
Follow these steps to file a death claim with Colonial Life:
Filing a claim
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Completed claim forms provided by Colonial Life
- Policy number(s) for the deceased policyholder
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Completed Colonial Life loss of life claim forms (provided by Colonial Life after notification)
- Policy number(s) for the deceased policyholder
- Claimant (beneficiary) identification and contact information
- Claimant's banking information for direct deposit (optional, for faster payment)
- Trust documents and trustee identification (if a trust is the named beneficiary)
Claims Contact
What to know at this institution
Colonial Life processes life insurance death claims through its Loss of Life notification process. The initial step is to submit a Loss of Life notification form (available online or by calling 800-325-4368), after which Colonial Life sends the necessary claim forms to the beneficiary. Claims can also be faxed to 800-880-9325. For supplemental health policies (accident, disability, critical illness, cancer, hospital indemnity), claims are filed separately through the policyholder portal or by paper form. A downloadable checklist is available on the Loss of Life claim page to assist with the process.
Prepare your letter of instruction to Colonial Life
Colonial Life asks for a letter of instruction alongside its claim form. We prepare a transmittal cover letter and the enclosure checklist Colonial Life requires.
Build your letter of instructionExpected timelines at Colonial Life: Claims are typically processed within 14 business days after all required documentation is received. Online submissions with direct deposit may result in faster payment. Delays are almost always caused by incomplete paperwork—gathering all required documents before filing the initial claim helps avoid back-and-forth.
Documentation required by Colonial Life includes Certified copy of the death certificate, Completed Colonial Life loss of life claim forms (provided by Colonial Life after notification), and Policy number(s) for the deceased policyholder, along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
To file a life insurance claim, complete the Loss of Life notification form online at coloniallife.com/individuals/Claims/Claim-Forms/Loss-of-Life-Claim or call 800-325-4368. Colonial Life will then send the necessary claim forms to the beneficiary. Return the completed claim forms along with a certified copy of the death certificate to the address on the form. Claims can also be faxed to 800-880-9325. A downloadable checklist is available on the Loss of Life claim page.
Log in to your Colonial Life policyholder account at coloniallife.com/policyholderportal and navigate to the Claims Center. Click "File an Online Claim" to submit claims for wellness, doctor's office visits, accident, pregnancy, sickness, and vision. You can also download paper claim forms from the Claim Forms page at coloniallife.com/individuals/claims/claim-forms. If filing by paper, fax the form to 800-880-9325 or mail it to Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company, P.O. Box 1365, Columbia, SC 29202.
Individual term life and individual whole life insurance policies from Colonial Life can be assigned to an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT) for estate tax planning purposes. Assigning a policy to an ILIT removes the death benefit from the grantor's taxable estate. If transferring an existing policy, the grantor permanently relinquishes control, and a three-year lookback rule under IRC Section 2035 applies. Transfer ownership using Colonial Life's Change of Ownership form #14001, available on the Policyholder Service Forms page at coloniallife.com or by calling 800-325-4368. Colonial Life does not establish ILITs; work with an estate attorney to create one. Group term life and supplemental health products cannot be assigned to an ILIT.
The mailing address depends on the type of claim. For loss of life claims, submit the initial notification online at coloniallife.com/individuals/Claims/Claim-Forms/Loss-of-Life-Claim or call 800-325-4368; Colonial Life will then send claim forms with the specific return address. For supplemental health claims (accident, disability, critical illness, cancer, hospital indemnity), mail completed forms to Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company, P.O. Box 100195, Columbia, SC 29202-3195. All claim forms can also be faxed to 800-880-9325.
Colonial Life's Loss of Life Claims can be reached by phone at 1-800-325-4368 and fax at 1-800-880-9325 for questions throughout the claims process.
If the deceased held multiple Colonial Life policies, each may require a separate claim or have different documentation requirements. The Loss of Life Claims can confirm which accounts require individual attention and which can be processed together.
Sources
Data sourced from Colonial Life primary sources (19 pages reviewed). How we research.
Policyholder Support
Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company, P.O. Box 1365, Columbia, SC 29202
Policyholder Support
Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company, P.O. Box 1365, Columbia, SC 29202
Loss of Life Claims
Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company, P.O. Box 1365, Columbia, SC 29202
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