What to do when a Pacific Guardian Life account holder dies
Report the death to Pacific Guardian Life's Claims Department at 1-800-432-3306
A death claim on a Pacific Guardian Life policy is filed through the Claims Department (1-800-432-3306). 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
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what Pacific Guardian Life requires:
Filing a claim
- Individual life or annuity: contact a Pacific Guardian Life representative or the Claims Department, which sends a claims packet
- Group life through an employer: the employer or group trust administrator completes the Group Life Claim Form, which is sent to the Group Claims Department
- 1-800-432-3306 toll-free, or 942-1331 or 942-1212 on Oahu; email clientrelations@pacificguardian.com
- Information requested: the insured's name, date of birth, date of death, and policy number(s)
- A caller who is not the beneficiary may be asked for the beneficiary's contact information
- The insurance Certificate of Coverage
- An original death certificate
- The original Enrollment Card and all Change of Beneficiary forms
- If proceeds are payable to the estate of the insured: a certificate showing the appointment of the administrator or executor of the estate
- If proceeds are payable to a minor or a mentally incompetent person: a certificate showing the appointment of the guardian of that person's estate
- If the designated beneficiary is deceased: a certified copy of the deceased beneficiary's death certificate
Required Documents
- Certified (original) copy of the insured's death certificate, individual life or annuity claims
- Original death certificate, group life claims
- Completed claim formThe claim form from the claims packet for an individual policy, or the Group Life Claim Form for group life.
- Completed W-9 form from each beneficiary, individual policies
- Letters of Administration showing the named executor, if the estate is the beneficiary of an individual policy
- Documentation designating the legal guardian of the minor's property, if a beneficiary of an individual policy is a minor
- Assignment of Life Insurance Proceeds Form, if a funeral home is to be paid directlyThe funeral home completes it, each beneficiary giving up all or part of their benefit signs it, and it is submitted with the claim forms.
- Certificate of Coverage, group life claims
- Original Enrollment Card and all Change of Beneficiary forms, group life claims
- Certificate showing the appointment of the administrator or executor, if group life proceeds are payable to the estate of the insured
- Certificate showing the appointment of the guardian of that person's estate, if group life proceeds are payable to a minor or a mentally incompetent person
- Certified copy of the deceased beneficiary's death certificate, if the designated beneficiary of a group life claim is deceased
Forms Pacific Guardian Life issues2
- Claim form (in the claims packet)
Completed by each beneficiary of an individual life or annuity policy. Sent by the institution on request.1
- Group Life Claim Form (Form No. CLM-101-GL Rev 7/02)
Completed by the employer or group trust administrator. Available to download.2
What happens to each kind of account1
- Life insurance policy
If the primary beneficiary is also deceased, benefits are in most cases payable to the contingent beneficiary. With no contingent beneficiary, they may be payable to the estate of the deceased insured or of the deceased primary beneficiary, depending on who died first.1
If the insured dies during the 31-day premium grace period, the overdue premium is deducted from the death benefit. Any policy loan plus unpaid interest is also deducted from the death benefit.1
What Pacific Guardian Life's agreement and guidance say1
- Payment to a minor or incapacitated beneficiary
Minor beneficiaries are not paid directly: benefits go to the legal guardian of the minor's property. If no guardian has been appointed, the company holds the minor's portion in an interest-bearing contract until the minor reaches the age of majority.1
The beneficiary forms state that without a named UTMA custodian, a court petition is needed to designate a guardian or custodian.3
Once all claim requirements are received from each beneficiary, death claims are processed as quickly as possible, usually within three working days.
Pacific Guardian Life's Claims Department can be reached by phone at 1-800-432-3306 and email at clientrelations@pacificguardian.com for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Pacific Guardian Life primary sources (45 pages reviewed). How we research.
Pacific Guardian Life death claims support
Claims Department (individual life and annuity)
Phone
Claims (Oahu)
Claims (Oahu, alternate)
Mailing address
Website
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