What to do when a The Standard account holder dies
Contact The Standard — 7-step process, 6 required documents, and approximately one week after the standard receives all required claim documents to review and determine if payment can be made or if additional information is needed.
Standard Insurance Company, 1100 SW Sixth Avenue, Portland, OR 97204
Standard Insurance Company, 1100 SW Sixth Avenue, Portland, OR 97204
Life Benefits Department
Standard Insurance Company, Life Benefits Department, P.O. Box 2800, Portland, OR 97208-9929
A death claim on a The Standard policy is filed through the Life Benefits Department (855.757.4714). Because insurance proceeds pass directly to named beneficiaries, this process is separate from probate. The required documentation and timeline vary by policy type.
Gather the account holder's full name, date of birth, and any known account or policy numbers before contacting The Standard. A certified death certificate is the primary document required to start any claim.
Death claim process
Follow these steps to file a death claim with The Standard:
Filing a claim
- Locate The Standard policy or certificate documents and note the policy/certificate number
- Obtain certified copies of the death certificate from the local vital records office
- Call the Life Benefits Department at 800.628.8600 (or 855.757.4714)
- Or email completed claim forms to lifebenefits@standard.com
- Provide the policy/certificate number, insured's name, date of birth, date and cause of death, and beneficiary contact information
- Mail to: Standard Insurance Company, Life Benefits Department, P.O. Box 2800, Portland, OR 97208-9929
- Or fax to: 888.414.0389
- The Standard will review the claim within approximately one week of receiving required documents
- If approved, the beneficiary will receive payment; if additional information is needed, The Standard will contact you
Required Documents
- Completed Beneficiary Statement (form 1794ben, provided by The Standard after claim initiation)
- Photocopy of the death certificate
- Copies of all enrollment forms and change of beneficiary cards (if available)
- Government-issued photo ID for the beneficiary
- Policy or certificate number and deceased's information (name, date of birth, Social Security number)
- Trust documents and trustee identification (if a trust is the named beneficiary)
What to know at this institution
For group life insurance death claims, the employer must initiate the claim process with The Standard. Completed Beneficiary Statements may be sent by fax to 888.414.0389 or mailed to the Life Benefits Department. Email communications are not secure; The Standard recommends communicating sensitive information by fax or mail rather than email. If there is more than one beneficiary, make a copy of the front and back of the Beneficiary Statement for each beneficiary. For individual annuity death claims, contact 800.378.4570. For individual disability insurance claims, contact 800.247.6888.
Prepare your letter of instruction to The Standard
The Standard asks for a letter of instruction alongside its claim form. We prepare a transmittal cover letter and the enclosure checklist The Standard requires.
Build your letter of instructionProcessing timelines at The Standard: Approximately one week after The Standard receives all required claim documents to review and determine if payment can be made or if additional information is needed. Incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delays—submitting all required documents with the initial claim helps avoid additional processing time.
Documentation required by The Standard includes Completed Beneficiary Statement (form 1794ben, provided by The Standard after claim initiation), Photocopy of the death certificate, and Copies of all enrollment forms and change of beneficiary cards (if available), along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
For group life insurance, notify the employer HR or benefits department first; the employer will initiate the claim with The Standard. You can also call The Standard Life Benefits Department at 800.628.8600 (or 855.757.4714). Provide the policy/certificate number, insured's name and date of birth, date and cause of death, and beneficiary contact information. The Standard will send the Beneficiary Statement claim form. Submit the completed form with a photocopy of the death certificate by mail to P.O. Box 2800, Portland, OR 97208-9929 or fax to 888.414.0389. Claims are typically reviewed within approximately one week after all documents are received.
For group life/AD&D death claims: call the Life Benefits Department at 800.628.8600. For group disability claims: call the Claim Intake Service Center at 800.242.1888 (Monday-Friday, 5:00am-5:00pm Pacific Time). For individual disability insurance claims: call 800.247.6888. For individual annuity claims: call 800.378.4570. For general customer service: call 800.426.4332. Email for life claims: lifebenefits@standard.com. Fax for life claims: 888.414.0389.
The Standard's Life Benefits Department can be reached by phone at 800.628.8600, email at lifebenefits@standard.com, and fax at 888.414.0389 for questions throughout the claims process.
Multiple The Standard policies may mean multiple claims. Some account types can be processed together, but others require their own documentation. Check with the Life Benefits Department to confirm what applies.
Sources
Data sourced from The Standard primary sources (29 pages reviewed). How we research.
Standard Insurance Company, 1100 SW Sixth Avenue, Portland, OR 97204
Standard Insurance Company, 1100 SW Sixth Avenue, Portland, OR 97204
Life Benefits Department
Standard Insurance Company, Life Benefits Department, P.O. Box 2800, Portland, OR 97208-9929
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