What to do when a Protective account holder dies
Report the death to Protective's Claims at 1-800-424-1592
When an insured person dies, the beneficiary or executor should contact Protective's Claims at 1-800-424-1592 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.
Death claim process
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what Protective requires:
Filing a claim
- Start a claim online at claims.protective.com. Protective calls online the quickest way to file, and uploading a death certificate expedites the process
- Or call 1-800-424-1592 (Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM-5:00 PM CT)
- Each beneficiary completes a separate Claimant Statement, with the signature of an unrelated witness
- Include a certified copy of the death certificate
- Return the original policy or contract if available. If not, select "The original policy(ies), or a copy, cannot be found" in Section D of the claim form
- Complete the substitute Form W-9 in the packet
- A survivorship policy where one insured has died: notify online or by phone and submit a certified death certificate
- An estate that is not being probated: ask for a claims specialist, who will advise completing an affidavit or guide you to have the estate probated
- A death outside the US: ask for a claims specialist
- Whether an Immediate Benefit Account is available for the claim
- A completed Claimant Statement from each beneficiary, witnessed as the packet instructs
- A certified copy of the death certificate
- The original policy or contract if available (otherwise mark Section D)
- The substitute Form W-9, and a voided check if you chose ACH
- The documents for your situation that the Claimant Statement lists (estate, trust, minor, ex-spouse, or death within two years of issue)
- Claims under $500,000: email claims@protective.com or fax 205-268-6833 for the fastest turnaround
- Payments of $500,000 or more: the original completed claim form and an original certified copy of the death certificate must be mailed, even when the claim is submitted electronically
- Mail: Protective Life Insurance Company, Claims, P.O. Box 12486, Birmingham, AL 35202
Required Documents
- Claimant Statement, from each beneficiaryIt is in the claim packet Protective sends. Each beneficiary completes a separate one, with the signature of an unrelated witness.
- Certified copy of the death certificateFor payments of $500,000 or more, the original is required and must be mailed. Protective cannot return death certificates.
- Beneficiary identification documents
- Original policy or contract, if availableOtherwise mark Section D of the Claimant Statement.
- Substitute Form W-9Section E of the Claimant Statement.
- Copy of the court appointment and qualification, if the estate is the beneficiaryThe court-appointed executor, administrator or personal representative signs the Claimant Statement.
- Copy of the trust and any amendments, or a Certificate of Trust, if a trust is the beneficiaryIn place of the whole trust: its first page, the page naming the trustee and successor trustee, and the signature page. The trustee signs as trustee.
- Court-appointed guardianship or conservatorship papers for the minor's estate, if a beneficiary is a minorCustody papers are not accepted.
- Section G of the Claimant Statement and the enclosed HIPAA Authorization, if the death occurred within two years of policy issue
- Official death certificate from the country where the death occurred, if the death occurred outside the US
- Completed Death of a US Citizen Abroad Questionnaire and Proof of Death, if the death occurred outside the US
- Statement from the local doctor who certified the death, if the death occurred outside the US
- Voided check, if ACH payment is chosen
Claims Contact
Website: Online portal →
Forms Protective issues1
- Claimant Statement (in the claim packet Protective sends to beneficiaries)
Completed by each beneficiary. Sent by the institution on request.1
Accounts handled elsewhere2
- MONY and Equitable claims service center
Claims on MONY and Equitable (formerly MLOA) policies2
Phone: 1-800-659-1058
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM ET
- Immediate Benefit Account service
Immediate Benefit Accounts after payout3
Phone: 1-866-412-2071
What Protective's agreement and guidance say4
- How proceeds are paid
Payment options on the Claimant Statement are a lump sum by check (the default), ACH, an Immediate Benefit Account for claims of $25,000 or more, a split between an Immediate Benefit Account and ACH or check, or another settlement option in the packet.1
Interest on proceeds is paid at the rate required by the contract or state law, whichever is greater.3
- Contestability of a recent policy
A claim is contestable if the insured dies within two years of the policy issue date. Protective then completes a routine investigation of the underwriting information.3
- Telling the institution
There is no deadline for a beneficiary to file a claim.3
- Accounts from a merged institution
Protective's claims FAQ says the claims process is the same for policies with Athene, Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company, MONY Life Insurance Company, Protective Life and Annuity Insurance Company, Protective Life Insurance Company, The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company or Zurich.4
Sources4
Protective says the process generally takes about two to three weeks. State regulations can require additional processing time.
Protective's Claims can be reached by phone at 1-800-424-1592, email at claims@protective.com, and fax at 1-205-268-6833 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
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Data sourced from Protective primary sources (45 pages reviewed). How we research.
Protective death claims support
Claims
Phone
Immediate Benefit Account customer service
MONY and Equitable (formerly MLOA) claims service center
Fax
Hours
Mailing address
Website
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