What to do when a Zurich account holder dies
Contact Zurich's Policy Owner Services — 4-step process, 7 required documents, and varies based on claim complexity and completeness of submitted documentation; claims within the contestability period may take longer
Zurich American Life Insurance Company Customer Service
Phone1-888-634-6780
Mailing Address
7045 College Boulevard, 8th Floor, Overland Park, KS 66211
Variable Annuity & Variable Life Contracts
Fixed Annuity Contracts
Scudder Destinations Variable Annuity
Life Insurance (Alternate)
Zurich Life Insurance Solutions
WebsiteLearn more→
Policy Owner Services
Phone1-888-634-6780
Mailing Address
Zurich American Life Insurance Company, 7045 College Boulevard, 8th Floor, Overland Park, KS 66211
WebsiteLearn more→
Claims Department
Phone1-888-634-6780
Fax1-888-796-7547
Mailing Address
Zurich American Life Insurance Company, 7045 College Boulevard, 8th Floor, Overland Park, KS 66211
Variable Annuity & Variable Life Claims
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
A death claim on a Zurich policy is filed through the Policy Owner Services (1-888-634-6780). Because insurance proceeds pass directly to named beneficiaries, this process is separate from probate. The required documentation and timeline vary by policy type.
Death claims at Zurich can be started through an online portal, which streamlines the initial notification and document upload. Phone and mail options are also available.
Death claim process
To file a claim after an account holder's death, here is what Zurich requires:
Filing a claim
1
Contact Zurich American Life Insurance Company to report the death
- Call 1-888-634-6780 for life insurance claims or 1-800-457-9047 for variable annuity/variable life claims
- Provide the policy or contract number if available, or the insured's name, date of birth, or Social Security number
- Request the Death Packet Form (ZA-1004)
2
Complete the Death Packet Form (ZA-1004)
- Download the form from https://www.zurichamericanlifeinsurance.com/Forms/ZA-1004.pdf or request it by phone
- Each beneficiary or claimant must complete a separate Statement of Claimant section
- Provide beneficiary identification, contact information, and Social Security number
- If the beneficiary is a trust, indicate the trust name, date established, and trustee information
- If the insured died outside the United States, complete Section 9 of the form
3
Gather and submit required documentation
- Obtain a certified copy of the death certificate
- Include a copy of the original policy document if available
- For trust beneficiaries: include the trust document and Trustee Certification form (ZA-1068) from https://www.zurichamericanlifeinsurance.com/Forms/ZA-1068.pdf
- For estate claims: include Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration
- Submit all documents to Zurich American Life Insurance Company, 7045 College Boulevard, 8th Floor, Overland Park, KS 66211
4
Claim review and payment
- Zurich's claims department reviews the submitted documentation for compliance with policy terms
- If additional information or documentation is needed, Zurich will contact the beneficiary
- If the insured died within the contestability period, Zurich may request medical records, pharmacy histories, and physician statements
- Once approved, the designated payout is issued to the beneficiary
Required Documents
- Completed Death Packet Form (ZA-1004) with Statement of Claimant for each beneficiary
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Original policy document or copy (if available)
- Government-issued ID for each beneficiary or trustee
- Beneficiary Social Security number
- Trust document and Trustee Certification form (ZA-1068) if trust is beneficiary
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration if estate is beneficiary
What to know at this institution
A separate Statement of Claimant must be completed for each contract. If there are two or more beneficiaries or claimants, each must complete a separate Statement of Claimant. The Death Packet Form (ZA-1004) is available from Zurich's forms page or by calling customer service. If the insured died outside the United States, additional documentation may be required (Section 9 of the form). Claims involving deaths within the policy's contestability period may require additional medical documentation.
Prepare your letter of instruction to Zurich
Zurich asks for a letter of instruction alongside its claim form. We prepare a transmittal cover letter and the enclosure checklist Zurich requires.
Build your letter of instructionExpected timelines at Zurich: Varies based on claim complexity and completeness of submitted documentation; claims within the contestability period may take longer. Delays are almost always caused by incomplete paperwork—gathering all required documents before filing the initial claim helps avoid back-and-forth.
Documentation required by Zurich includes Completed Death Packet Form (ZA-1004) with Statement of Claimant for each beneficiary, Certified copy of the death certificate, and Original policy document or copy (if available), along with additional paperwork that varies by account type. All death certificates and court documents must be certified copies.
Frequently asked questions
Contact Zurich at 1-888-634-6780 for life insurance claims or 1-800-457-9047 for variable annuity and variable life claims to report the death and request the Death Packet Form (ZA-1004). The form is also available at https://www.zurichamericanlifeinsurance.com/Forms/ZA-1004.pdf. Each beneficiary or claimant must complete a separate Statement of Claimant section. Submit the completed form along with a certified copy of the death certificate and the original policy document (if available) to Zurich American Life Insurance Company, 7045 College Boulevard, 8th Floor, Overland Park, KS 66211. If the beneficiary is a trust, also include the trust document and Trustee Certification form (ZA-1068).
Zurich maintains a forms library at https://www.zurichamericanlifeinsurance.com/Zurich_Forms.html. Key estate planning forms include: ZA-1025 (Non-Financial Change Form) for beneficiary designation changes, ZA-1068 (Trustee Certification) for trust ownership transfers, ZA-8154 (Collateral/Absolute Assignment) for transferring policy ownership to a trust, and ZA-1004 (Death Packet Form) for filing death benefit claims. Forms can also be requested by calling 1-888-634-6780 for life insurance or 1-800-457-9047 for variable annuity and variable life contracts.
Zurich's Claims Department can be reached by phone at 1-888-634-6780 and fax at 1-888-796-7547 for questions throughout the claims process.
Multiple Zurich policies may mean multiple claims. Some account types can be processed together, but others require their own documentation. Check with the Policy Owner Services to confirm what applies.
Sources
Data sourced from Zurich primary sources (13 pages reviewed). How we research.
Zurich American Life Insurance Company Customer Service
Phone1-888-634-6780
Mailing Address
7045 College Boulevard, 8th Floor, Overland Park, KS 66211
Variable Annuity & Variable Life Contracts
Fixed Annuity Contracts
Scudder Destinations Variable Annuity
Life Insurance (Alternate)
Zurich Life Insurance Solutions
WebsiteLearn more→
Policy Owner Services
Phone1-888-634-6780
Mailing Address
Zurich American Life Insurance Company, 7045 College Boulevard, 8th Floor, Overland Park, KS 66211
WebsiteLearn more→
Claims Department
Phone1-888-634-6780
Fax1-888-796-7547
Mailing Address
Zurich American Life Insurance Company, 7045 College Boulevard, 8th Floor, Overland Park, KS 66211
Variable Annuity & Variable Life Claims
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
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