Pan-American Life logo

Pan-American Life

Subsidiary of Pan-American Life Insurance Group, Inc.

palig.com

What to do when a Pan-American Life account holder dies

Report the death to Pan-American Life's Life policy claims at 1-800-323-7320

When an insured person dies, the beneficiary or executor should contact Pan-American Life's Life policy claims at 1-800-323-7320 to start the claims process. Insurance proceeds are paid directly to the named beneficiary and do not go through probate. How quickly the claim is processed depends on the policy type, documentation, and cause of death.

Claims can be filed by phone (1-800-323-7320) or by emailing documentation to Lifeclaims@palig.com. Before reaching out, gather the account holder's full name, account numbers, and the death certificate.

Death claim process

The death claim process at Pan-American Life works as follows:

Filing a claim

1
Start the claim for a life policy sold through the Pan-American Life division (Horizon Value, Horizon Guarantee, Horizon Legacy, MTL Non-Par Whole Life, SelecTerm or Vista Life):
2
Ask the claims team which documents the policy requires.

Claims Contact

Accounts handled elsewhere2

Policyowner Services for former Encova policyowners

Policies originally placed with Encova Life Insurance Company1

Pan-American Accident & Health

A separate division from the Pan-American Life division2

Help Pan-American Life offers survivors1

Empathy

A support service for loss that helps families with practical matters such as planning a funeral, writing an obituary, or settling financial affairs.3

Who qualifies: A complimentary offer to beneficiaries of U.S. policies.

Not in Pan-American Life's published guidance3

  • A list of required documents
  • Whether the death certificate must be certified
  • How long a claim takes

Sources3

Download instructions for the whole estate

Pan-American Life's Life policy claims can be reached by phone at 1-800-323-7320 and email at Lifeclaims@palig.com for questions throughout the claims process.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·

Sources

Data sourced from Pan-American Life primary sources (23 pages reviewed). How we research.

Pan-American Life death claims support

Life policy claims (Pan-American Life division)

Estate supportLearn more →
Verified Sep 2026

Estate planning articles

Learn how to protect your Pan-American Life 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