What to do when a Pekin Life account holder dies
Contact Pekin Life — 4-step process, 6 required documents, and pekin life typically provides claim forms within 1 business day of the request. once all required documentation is received, claims are generally processed within 30 to 60 days. delays may occur if documentation is incomplete or if the claim requires additional investigation.
Pekin Life
Subsidiary of Pekin Insurance (Farmers Automobile Insurance Association)
pekininsurance.com→
Phone1-800-322-0160
Mailing Address
Pekin Life Insurance Company, 2505 Court Street, Pekin, IL 61558-0001
WebsiteLearn more→
Phone1-800-322-0160
Mailing Address
Pekin Life Insurance Company, 2505 Court Street, Pekin, IL 61558-0001
WebsiteLearn more→
Life and Annuity Claims
Phone1-800-371-9622
Fax309-346-8265
Mailing Address
Pekin Life Insurance Company, Claims Department, 2505 Court Street, Pekin, IL 61558-0001
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified May 2026
When an insured person dies, the beneficiary or executor should contact Pekin Life's Life and Annuity Claims at 1-800-371-9622 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.
Begin by calling Pekin Life at 1-800-371-9622. You will need the deceased's full name, account numbers, and a certified death certificate to get the process started.
Death claim process
The death claim process at Pekin Life works as follows:
Filing a claim
1
Gather required documentation:
- Locate the Pekin Life policy documents and note the policy number
- Obtain multiple certified copies of the death certificate from the local vital records office
2
Report the death and request claim forms:
- Call Pekin Life claims at 800-371-9622 ext. 2023 (Monday-Friday, 7:45am-4:15pm CST)
- Or start a claim online at https://www.pekininsurance.com/client-service/claim-center/file-a-claim/life-annuity-claims using the online claim submission portal (hosted at esign.alphatrust.com)
- Pekin Life typically provides claim forms within 1 business day of the request
3
Complete and assemble the claim package:
- Complete the Claimant Statement form with policy and deceased information
- Submit the certified death certificate with the claim form
- Include beneficiary identification (government-issued photo ID)
- If a trust is the beneficiary, include trust documents and trustee identification
4
Submit the completed claim:
- Mail completed forms to: Pekin Life Insurance Company, Claims Department, 2505 Court Street, Pekin, IL 61558-0001
- Or fax completed forms to 309-346-8265
Required Documents
- Completed Claimant Statement form
- Certified death certificate
- Government-issued photo ID for the beneficiary
- Policy number and deceased's information
- Trust documents and trustee ID (if a trust is the beneficiary)
- Letters of administration or testamentary (if the estate is the beneficiary)
Claims Contact
You can initiate a claim online through the Pekin Insurance website or by calling the claims department. Claim forms are typically mailed within 1 business day. Your independent Pekin agent can also assist with the claims process and will receive a courtesy notification from Pekin Life when a claim is filed. For annuity death claims, the same claims department handles the process. Contact 800-371-9622 ext. 2023 for both life and annuity claims.
How long the process takes at Pekin Life: Pekin Life typically provides claim forms within 1 business day of the request. Once all required documentation is received, claims are generally processed within 30 to 60 days. Delays may occur if documentation is incomplete or if the claim requires additional investigation. The most common reason for delays is missing or incomplete documentation, so submitting everything upfront is the best way to keep things moving.
Pekin Life requires several documents to process a claim, including Completed Claimant Statement form, Certified death certificate, and Government-issued photo ID for the beneficiary, 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
Yes. An ILIT can own a Pekin Life insurance policy, removing the death benefit from the grantor's taxable estate. A new policy can be purchased by the ILIT, or an existing policy can be transferred to the ILIT via an assignment form, subject to a three-year lookback rule under IRC Section 2035. Once transferred, the grantor permanently relinquishes control. Pekin Life does not establish ILITs; work with an estate attorney to create one. Contact 800-322-0160 ext. 2718 for assignment forms.
Call the Pekin Life claims department at 800-371-9622 ext. 2023 (Monday-Friday, 7:45am-4:15pm CST) to report the death and request claim forms. You can also start a claim online at pekininsurance.com. Claim forms are typically provided within 1 business day. You will need the policy number, a certified death certificate, the completed Claimant Statement form, and beneficiary identification. Mail completed forms to Pekin Life Insurance Company, Claims Department, 2505 Court Street, Pekin, IL 61558-0001, or fax to 309-346-8265. Your independent Pekin agent will receive a courtesy notification and can assist with the process.
Pekin Life offers seven individual life insurance products: Universal Life, Preferred Whole Life, Simplified Issue Whole Life (no exam), Single Premium Whole Life, Graded Death Benefit Whole Life (no exam), Transitional Life (term-to-permanent blend), and Term Life to 95. Additionally, Pekin Life offers Pathway Pre-Need Insurance for funeral preplanning. All permanent and term life policies include coverage enhancements at no additional charge, including an accelerated death benefit, identity fraud protection, and a long-term care rider on permanent policies. Not all products are available in all states.
Yes. A trust can be named as the beneficiary or owner of a Pekin Life Flexible Premium Annuity 5 or Single Premium Deferred Annuity 7. Naming a trust as beneficiary lets the death proceeds bypass probate and follow the trust's distribution terms. However, naming a trust as the owner of an annuity may eliminate the tax-deferral benefit under IRC Section 72(u), which generally requires a "natural person" as owner for tax deferral (limited exceptions apply for trusts acting as agent for a natural person). To request the beneficiary or ownership change form, call 800-322-0160 ext. 2718. Consult a tax advisor before changing annuity ownership to a trust.
Pekin Life's Life and Annuity Claims can be reached by phone at 1-800-371-9622 and fax at 309-346-8265 for questions throughout the claims process.
When the deceased had multiple Pekin Life policies, some may need separate claims while others can be handled together. The Life and Annuity Claims can clarify what's needed for each account type.
Pekin Life
Subsidiary of Pekin Insurance (Farmers Automobile Insurance Association)
pekininsurance.com→Phone1-800-322-0160
Mailing Address
Pekin Life Insurance Company, 2505 Court Street, Pekin, IL 61558-0001
WebsiteLearn more→
Phone1-800-322-0160
Mailing Address
Pekin Life Insurance Company, 2505 Court Street, Pekin, IL 61558-0001
WebsiteLearn more→
Life and Annuity Claims
Phone1-800-371-9622
Fax309-346-8265
Mailing Address
Pekin Life Insurance Company, Claims Department, 2505 Court Street, Pekin, IL 61558-0001
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified May 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Pekin Life accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
