What to do when an Unum account holder dies
Report the death to Unum's The Benefits Center at 1-800-445-0402
When an insured person dies, the beneficiary or executor should contact Unum's The Benefits Center at 1-800-445-0402 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
The death claim process at Unum works as follows:
Filing a claim
- Form CL-1091 instructs the employer, "as soon as you receive notice of death," to complete the Employer's Statement and send it to The Benefits Center by mail or fax.
- Questions about the claim process go to The Benefits Center, 800-445-0402, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
- For ported coverage, the insured person, beneficiary or next of kin completes the Insured Statement on form CL-1100 and faxes it to 1-800-447-2498 or mails it to The Benefits Center.
- The completed Employer's Statement.
- A copy of the certified death certificate, if available. CL-1091 states a photocopy or fax is acceptable.
- A copy of the original enrollment, current enrollment and any changes to coverage, and a copy of the most recent beneficiary designation form. Electronic verification is acceptable for both.
- Unum may request payroll information to confirm eligibility or calculate the benefit.
- If not everything is available, the employer may start the claim with the Employer's Statement and the beneficiary sends the remaining documents later.
- For group whole life, the employer completes the Group Whole Life Employer Statement, form CL-1336, which prints the same Benefits Center address.
- The employer gives the beneficiary the Retained Asset Account page, a Substitute W-9 Form and the "Authorization - Life or Accidental Death Claim".
- Unum states that if the authorization is not signed, it may not be able to evaluate the claim, which may lead to the claim being denied.
- The beneficiary may request payment by check regardless of the amount by calling The Benefits Center at 800-445-0402.
- The Accidental Death Statement, plus copies of the police report, autopsy report and toxicology report.
- If no autopsy or toxicology report was done, verification from the coroner, medical examiner or admitting hospital.
- Term life, accidental death and dismemberment, and whole life claims: 800-445-0402
- Accident, critical illness and hospital claims: 800-635-5597
- Long term care claims: 800-693-4988
- Group life and accidental death: form CL-1091.
- CL-1091 holds the Employer's Statement, Accidental Death Statement, Retained Asset Account page, Substitute W-9 Form and Authorization.
- Ported coverage: form CL-1100.
- Mail: The Benefits Center, P.O. Box 100158, Columbia, SC 29202-3158
- Fax: 1-800-447-2498. Unum asks you to allow 14 days for processing of faxed claims information.
Required Documents
- Employer's Statement from form CL-1091Completed by the employer.
- Copy of the certified death certificate, if availableCL-1091 states a photocopy or fax is acceptable.
- Copy of the original enrollment, current enrollment and any changes to coverage, if applicableElectronic verification is acceptable.
- Copy of the most recent beneficiary designation formElectronic verification is acceptable.
- Signed "Authorization - Life or Accidental Death Claim"From the beneficiary or personal representative. Unum states that if it is not signed, it may not be able to evaluate the claim, which may lead to the claim being denied.
- Substitute W-9 FormFrom the beneficiary.
- Copy of the document granting authority, for a minor beneficiary signed for by a guardian or conservator
- Accidental Death Statement and copies of the police, autopsy and toxicology reports, if available, when accidental death and dismemberment coverage is claimedIf no autopsy or toxicology report was done, verification from the coroner, medical examiner or admitting hospital.
- Payroll information, if Unum requests itTo confirm eligibility or calculate the benefit.
- Insured Statement from form CL-1100, for ported coverageCompleted by the insured person, beneficiary or next of kin.
Claims Contact
Website: Online portal →
Forms Unum issues3
- Group Life and/or Accidental Death Claim Form (CL-1091)
Completed by the employer and the beneficiary. Available to download.1
- Portability Life and/or Accidental Death Claim Form (CL-1100)
Completed by the insured person, beneficiary or next of kin. Available to download.2
- Group Whole Life Employer Statement (CL-1336)
Completed by the employer. Available to download.3
What happens to each kind of account1
- Life insurance policy
The accidental death and dismemberment policy may provide an education benefit for unmarried dependent children in 12th grade or enrolled full time beyond it.1
Dependents can convert their coverage if the employee dies while covered under the group plan; dependents who do not convert then cannot convert later. If the employee dies, the spouse must port their own coverage in order to port the children's coverage.4
Help Unum offers survivors1
- Life Planning Financial & Legal Resources
Unum Group Life Insurance includes this service, which provides financial and legal guidance and emotional support for beneficiaries.5
Who qualifies: Available with select Unum employee benefits plans.
What Unum's agreement and guidance say6
- How proceeds are paid
CL-1091 states life benefit proceeds are paid in a lump sum, and the policy may contain other payment options. A benefit under $10,000 is paid by check. A benefit of $10,000 or more is paid through a Unum Retained Asset Account if the group policy calls for that method, otherwise by check.1
Unum holds Retained Asset Account funds in its general account and pays interest on them; the beneficiary writes drafts of $250 or more, up to the full balance. CL-1091 says the funds are guaranteed by Unum Group, are not protected by the FDIC, and are protected by state guaranty associations.1
- Fees
Unum makes no charge for writing drafts on a Retained Asset Account or ordering a new supply of drafts. It charges $5 for a copy of a draft or statement, $15 for a stop payment, $10 for a returned draft, additional statements or additional copies of IRS Form 1099-INT, and $25 for a draft book rush order.1
- Dormant and unclaimed accounts
If a Retained Asset Account has no activity and Unum has no contact with the beneficiary for two years, Unum attempts to contact the beneficiary. If it cannot, it could be required to surrender the balance to the state of the beneficiary's last known residence.1
- What it says about taxes
CL-1091 states that the interest earned on the Unum Retained Asset Account may be taxable.1
- Contestability of a recent policy
Form CL-1100 says portability coverage "is considered to be new coverage. If the insured individual/dependent individual dies within two years of the effective date of the portability coverage, it may be necessary to conduct a medical review at the time a claim is filed."2
- Payment to a minor or incapacitated beneficiary
For a minor beneficiary, CL-1091 asks for an adult representative. A guardian, conservator or court-appointed guardian of the minor's property signing for the child attaches a copy of the document granting authority.1
Sources5
- 1.Group Life and/or Accidental Death Claim Form (CL-1091), 05/26
- 2.Portability Life and/or Accidental Death Claim Form (CL-1100), 05/26
- 3.Group Whole Life Employer Statement (CL-1336), 02/24
- 4.Keeping your life insurance: Decisions to make, steps to take (EN-1144063-2), 8-23
- 5.Group Life Insurance Policies and Coverage (employer page)
Unum states it is committed to making a life-claim determination within five business days of receiving complete information.
Frequently asked questions
While you are employed, your employer does. The Unum Beneficiary Designation Form, CS-1110, says to return the completed form to your employer, and the group life claim form, CL-1091, asks the employer to send "a copy of the most recent beneficiary designation form" when it reports a death. Once you have left the employer and ported your coverage, you file the Portability Beneficiary Designation Form (CS-1277) with Unum at 2211 Congress Street, Portland, Maine 04122.
Per Unum claim form CL-1091: a benefit under $10,000 is paid by check, and a benefit of $10,000 or more is paid through a Unum Retained Asset Account if the group policy calls for that method (otherwise it is paid by check). Unum holds the money in its general account and credits interest; the beneficiary receives a book of drafts and can write drafts of $250 or more, up to the full balance, at no charge for the drafts themselves. Unum charges $5 for a copy of a draft or statement, $15 for a stop payment, $10 for a returned draft or additional statements or extra 1099-INT copies, and $25 for a rush draft book. The balance is guaranteed by Unum Group, is not protected by the FDIC, and is protected by state guaranty associations. Interest earned may be taxable, and if there is no account activity or contact for two years and Unum cannot reach the beneficiary, it could be required to surrender the balance to the state of the beneficiary's last known residence. A beneficiary can request payment by check regardless of the amount by calling The Benefits Center at 800-445-0402.
Sometimes, and there is a deadline. Unum's conversion and portability guide says dependents can convert their coverage if the employee dies while covered under the group plan, dependents who do not convert then cannot convert later, and if the employee dies, the spouse must port their own coverage in order to port the children's coverage. The form goes to Unum, Portability and Conversion Unit, 2211 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04122 (800-421-0344) no later than 31 days after coverage ends. AD&D can be ported but not converted, and ported Unum accident coverage ends on the date the insured dies.
Unum's The Benefits Center can be reached by phone at 1-800-445-0402 and fax at 1-800-447-2498 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from Unum primary sources (34 pages reviewed). How we research.
Unum death claims support
The Benefits Center
Phone
Toll-free
Fax
Hours
Mailing address
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