What to do when a Colonial Penn account holder dies
Contact Colonial Penn — 7-step process, 6 required documents, and life insurance death claims are typically processed within 30 to 60 days from receipt of all required documentation. delays may occur if documentation is incomplete, the policy is within the two-year contestability period, or if the death occurred during the limited benefit period of a guaranteed acceptance policy.
Customer Service
Phone1-877-877-8052
Toll-Free1-877-877-8052
Mailing Address
Colonial Penn Life Insurance Company, Policyholder Services, PO Box 1918, Carmel, IN 46082-9903
Legacy/Customer Support Line (24/7 automated payments)
NY Residents (Bankers Conseco)
WebsiteLearn more→
Customer Service
Phone1-877-877-8052
Toll-Free1-877-877-8052
Mailing Address
Colonial Penn Life Insurance Company, Policyholder Services, PO Box 1918, Carmel, IN 46082-9903
Legacy/Customer Support Line (24/7 automated payments)
NY Residents (Bankers Conseco)
WebsiteLearn more→
Life Claims Department
Phone1-877-877-8052
Toll-Free1-877-877-8052
Fax1-800-880-9325
Mailing Address
Colonial Penn Life Insurance Company, Life Claims Dept, PO Box 1918, Carmel, IN 46082-1918
NY Residents (Bankers Conseco)
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified May 2026
A death claim on a Colonial Penn policy is filed through the Life Claims Department (1-877-877-8052). 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, call Colonial Penn at 1-877-877-8052. Have the account holder's full name, account numbers, and a certified death certificate ready before you call.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at Colonial Penn:
Filing a claim
1
Locate the Colonial Penn policy documents and note the policy number
2
Obtain a certified copy of the death certificate from the local vital records office (only one is needed regardless of the number of policies or certificates)
3
Report the death and obtain the Claimant's Statement form through one of these channels:
- Call Colonial Penn at 877-877-8052 (Monday-Thursday 8:30 AM-10 PM ET, Friday 8:30 AM-7 PM ET, Saturday 9 AM-5 PM ET); NY residents call 800-323-4542
- Log in to https://my.colonialpenn.com/ to download the claim form and file online
- Visit https://colonialpenn.com/file-a-claim for claim filing instructions and form access
4
Complete the Claimant's Statement with the policy number, deceased's information, and beneficiary details
5
Submit the completed Claimant's Statement along with required documentation:
- Certified death certificate
- Original insurance contract(s) if available
6
Send documents by mail or fax:
- Mail to: Colonial Penn Life Insurance Company, Life Claims Dept, PO Box 1918, Carmel, IN 46082-1918
- NY residents mail to: Bankers Conseco Life Insurance Company, Life Claims Dept, PO Box 1918, Carmel, IN 46082-1918
- Fax to 800-880-9325 (include your name and policy number on each faxed page; faxing eliminates the need to mail originals)
7
Choose how you want to receive the payout when prompted: options may include a lump sum or periodic payout
Required Documents
- Completed Claimant's Statement for Life Insurance Death Benefits form (download from my.colonialpenn.com or colonialpenn.com/file-a-claim)
- Certified death certificate (one copy regardless of number of policies or certificates)
- Original insurance contract(s) if available
- Government-issued ID for the beneficiary
- Policy number and deceased's information
- Trust documents and trustee ID (if a trust is the beneficiary)
Claim forms can be downloaded from my.colonialpenn.com (online portal) or accessed via colonialpenn.com/file-a-claim. The online portal at my.colonialpenn.com also allows beneficiaries to file claims, check claim status, and review previous claims. To register, you need the policy number and the date of birth of the insured. Only one certified death certificate is required regardless of the number of policies held. If faxing documents to 800-880-9325, include your name and policy number on each page; faxed submissions do not require mailing the originals. For guaranteed acceptance whole life policies, if the insured dies within the first two years from natural causes, beneficiaries receive a return of premiums paid plus interest rather than the full death benefit. Accidental death benefits are payable from day one. For New York residents, claims are processed through Bankers Conseco Life Insurance Company of New York (call 800-323-4542).
How long the process takes at Colonial Penn: Life insurance death claims are typically processed within 30 to 60 days from receipt of all required documentation. Delays may occur if documentation is incomplete, the policy is within the two-year contestability period, or if the death occurred during the limited benefit period of a guaranteed acceptance policy. The most common reason for delays is missing or incomplete documentation, so submitting everything upfront is the best way to keep things moving.
Colonial Penn requires several documents to process a claim, including Completed Claimant's Statement for Life Insurance Death Benefits form (download from my.colonialpenn.com or colonialpenn.com/file-a-claim), Certified death certificate (one copy regardless of number of policies or certificates), and Original insurance contract(s) if available, 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
Colonial Penn's guaranteed acceptance whole life insurance includes a two-year limited benefit period. If the insured dies within the first two years of the policy from natural causes, beneficiaries receive a return of all premiums paid plus interest rather than the full death benefit. Accidental death is covered from day one with the full benefit amount. After the two-year period, the full death benefit is payable for any cause of death.
Call Colonial Penn at 877-877-8052 to report the death and request the Claimant's Statement form, or log in to my.colonialpenn.com to download the form and file online. Complete the form and submit it along with a certified death certificate and the original insurance contract(s) if available. Mail to: Colonial Penn Life Insurance Company, Life Claims Dept, PO Box 1918, Carmel, IN 46082-1918, or fax to 800-880-9325. NY residents: call 800-323-4542.
Yes. An ILIT can own a Colonial Penn life insurance policy, removing the death benefit from the grantor's taxable estate. The trust can own the policy from inception, or an existing policy can be transferred to the trust, subject to a three-year lookback rule under IRC Section 2035. Once transferred, the grantor permanently relinquishes control. Contact Colonial Penn at 877-877-8052 to request an assignment form for ILIT ownership transfer. Colonial Penn does not set up ILITs; you must work with an estate attorney to establish one.
Colonial Penn's guaranteed acceptance whole life insurance requires no health questions and no medical exam, with acceptance guaranteed for ages 50-85, and includes a two-year limited benefit period. The permanent whole life insurance plan is available for ages 40-75 with up to $50,000 in coverage, requires health questions but no medical exam, and offers optional Living Insurance accelerated death benefit riders for cancer, heart attack/stroke, or chronic illness. LifeChoice whole life insurance is exclusive to New York residents, requires a few health questions, and offers coverage between $5,000 and $25,000. All three products build cash value after the first year, have locked-in premiums that never increase, and can name a trust as beneficiary or be assigned to an ILIT.
Yes. Colonial Penn offers an online policyholder portal at my.colonialpenn.com where you can manage your policy, download forms, file claims, check claim status, and review previous claims. To register, you need your policy number and the date of birth of the insured. You can also download forms at colonialpenn.com/download-forms, including the Change of Beneficiary form and the Claimant's Statement for Life Insurance Death Benefits.
Colonial Penn's Life Claims Department can be reached by phone at 1-877-877-8052 and fax at 1-800-880-9325 for questions throughout the claims process.
Customer Service
Phone1-877-877-8052
Toll-Free1-877-877-8052
Mailing Address
Colonial Penn Life Insurance Company, Policyholder Services, PO Box 1918, Carmel, IN 46082-9903
Legacy/Customer Support Line (24/7 automated payments)
NY Residents (Bankers Conseco)
WebsiteLearn more→
Customer Service
Phone1-877-877-8052
Toll-Free1-877-877-8052
Mailing Address
Colonial Penn Life Insurance Company, Policyholder Services, PO Box 1918, Carmel, IN 46082-9903
Legacy/Customer Support Line (24/7 automated payments)
NY Residents (Bankers Conseco)
WebsiteLearn more→
Life Claims Department
Phone1-877-877-8052
Toll-Free1-877-877-8052
Fax1-800-880-9325
Mailing Address
Colonial Penn Life Insurance Company, Life Claims Dept, PO Box 1918, Carmel, IN 46082-1918
NY Residents (Bankers Conseco)
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified May 2026
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