What to do when a Foresters account holder dies
Report the death to Foresters' Claims Services at 1-800-828-1540
A death claim on a Foresters policy is filed through the Claims Services (1-800-828-1540). Because insurance proceeds pass directly to named beneficiaries, this process is separate from probate. The required documentation and timeline vary by policy type.
Death claim process
Here is the step-by-step death claim process at Foresters:
Filing a claim
- Name of the deceased member or certificate holder
- The date the member or certificate holder died
- The cause and manner of death, if available
- Contact information for the person the forms should be sent to
- Life Claimant Statement Non Contestable, if the death occurred in certificate year three or after and the certificate was not reinstated in the last two years
- Life Claimant Statement Contestable, if the death occurred in the first two years of the certificate or the certificate was reinstated in the last two years
- The Contestable version adds a section for the primary treating physician or medical facility over the past 5 years, and a HIPAA authorization
- Regular mail: Foresters, P.O. Box 179, Buffalo, NY 14201-0179. Foresters says regular mail takes 7 to 10 business days to reach it, depending on where it is sent from
- Overnight mail: Foresters Financial, 2221 Kenmore Ave, Suite 108, Buffalo, NY 14207-1306
- Fax: 1-877-329-4631, the number printed at the top of the claim forms
Required Documents
- Life Claimant Statement, Non Contestable or Contestable, depending on when the death occurredEach claimant completes a separate statement; copies can be made of the form.
- Certified copy of the death certificateOnly one certified death certificate is required per deceased person, even with several certificates or claimants. Include the original if available; death certificates become part of the claim file and are not returned.
- Authorization for Disclosure of Medical and Health Related Information, for a contestable claimIt is enclosed in the Contestable claimant statement.
- The claimant's Social Security or tax ID number, when the estate is the claimant, the deceased person's own numberA claimant who has never been assigned a number writes "No Number".
- A copy of the filed document supporting the appointment, if an executor, administrator or legal guardian completes the claim form
- Trust tax ID or trustee's Social Security number, and the trust's successor-trustee part, if a trustee completes the claim formInclude a statement that the trust is currently in effect.
- A copy of the trust agreement, if a trust is the beneficiaryForesters' FAQ says the trustee completes the claimant statement and the medical authorization if applicable, and supplies a statement that the trust is still in full force and effect.
- Certificate of the guardian's appointment from the court, if the beneficiary is a minor
- Certified death certificate for the beneficiary, if a designated beneficiary died before the insured
- Legal documentation supporting the name change, if a claimant's name has changed
- The funeral assignment and a copy of the funeral bill, if any portion of the death benefit will be assigned
- Police, coroner's and/or toxicology report, and a copy of the driver's license, if the death was the result of an accident, suicide or homicideThe driver's license is the deceased person's. Foresters also asks for its Authorization to Release Information and says it will investigate the circumstances of the death.
- Foreign death certificate and translation, Foreign Death Questionnaire, passport copy, if the death occurred outside the United States or CanadaThe official death certificate issued in that country, a notarized translation of it, the completed Foreign Death Questionnaire and a copy of the passport.
- Report of the Death of an American Citizen Abroad and a Physician's Statement, if the deceased person was a US citizen and died outside the United States or CanadaThe report may be obtained from the local US Embassy or Consulate; the Physician's Statement is completed and signed by the doctor who certified the death.
Claims Contact
Website: Online portal →
Forms Foresters issues3
- Life Claimant Statement Contestable
Completed by each claimant. Available to download.1
- Life Claimant Statement Non Contestable
Completed by each claimant. Available to download.2
- Affidavit for the Release of Medical Records
Completed by the next of kin and primary beneficiary, where no personal representative has been appointed. Available to download. Must be notarized.1
What happens to each kind of account1
- Life insurance policy
When a claim is paid to the beneficiaries, Foresters pays an additional 1% of the face amount, up to $100,000, to a registered charity the owner designated. The payment is a donation in the insured's name and does not affect the death benefit.3
The Charity Benefit is offered only on certain certificates. The owner designates the charity on the Charity Benefit Designation Form, and a designation takes effect on the date the form is signed.4
State requirements Foresters statesIllinois
- Illinois
The claim form's notice for Illinois contracts and residents says that unless payment is made "within thirty-one days after receipt of due proof of loss, interest on the claim will accrue at a rate of 10% from the date of the death to the date of the payment."2
What Foresters's agreement and guidance say5
- Contestability of a recent policy
If the death occurred in the first two years of the certificate or the certificate was reinstated in the last two years, Foresters requests medical records from the deceased person's providers and gives a claims decision within 30 business days of receiving them all.5
Foresters' FAQ says a material misrepresentation, untrue declaration or failure to disclose all material facts may result in loss of coverage or cancellation of the insurance contract.6
- How proceeds are paid
Once a claim is approved, any benefit owed is paid by check mailed to the beneficiary's address given on the claimant statement.6
Proceeds are paid in a lump sum unless otherwise requested. Claims Services gives information on alternative settlement options.2
- Debts owed to the institution
Foresters' FAQ says certificate loan balances are deducted from any death benefit paid out.6
- Payment to a minor or incapacitated beneficiary
For a minor beneficiary, the legally appointed guardian of the minor's estate completes the claimant statement and furnishes a certificate of the guardian's appointment from the court.6
- What it says about taxes
The claimant statement asks for the claimant's Social Security or tax ID number, as it may be required for reporting taxable income paid to the claimant. If it is not supplied, the form says the certificate may be subject to federal and state withholding.2
Sources6
- 1.Statement of Claim for Death Benefits (Life Claimant Statement Contestable), 105261B US (11/22)
- 2.Statement of Claim for Death Benefits (Life Claimant Statement Non Contestable), 105917B US (11/22)
- 3.Your Term
- 4.Charity Benefit Designation Form, 106012 US (10/17)
- 5.How to file a claim
- 6.Customer Care (life insurance FAQs)
15 business days for a complete non-contestable claim, not including mail time; 30 business days after all medical records arrive for a contestable claim.
Foresters' Claims Services can be reached by phone at 1-800-828-1540, email at service@foresters.com, and fax at 1-877-329-4631 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Foresters primary sources (19 pages reviewed). How we research.
Foresters death claims support
Claims Services
Phone
Toll-free
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Hours
Mailing address
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