Frequently Asked Questions

On behalf of MetLife, please accept our sincerest condolences during this difficult time. To help make the process of filing a life insurance claim as simple as possible for you, we’ve created this list of frequently asked questions.

All topics

Filing a claim basics

To submit a life insurance claim, please download the life insurance claim kit. We created the kit to guide you through the process. There are two claim kits to choose from depending on who’s the named beneficiary for the policy(ies):

1. Individual beneficiary claim kit – Choose this one if you’re the named beneficiary of the policy (i.e. John Smith).

2. Trust/entity claim kit – Choose this one if you’re claiming the proceeds on behalf of an estate, a trust or a company.

Please be sure to review the kit in its entirety, as it provides valuable information. You’ll need to complete the claim form within the kit and return it to MetLife, along with the death certificate and any other required documents as outlined in the kit.

If you’re completing an individual claim form, you’ll need to fill out personal details about you and the insured, such as:

• Full name
• Address
• Date of birth
• Social security number
• Your relationship to the insured
• Insurance policy number(s) you’re making a claim on; if you don’t know the policy number, you may search for it using our policy finder at metlife.com/policyfinder/

If you’re completing a trust/entity claim form, you’ll need to fill out personal details for the insured as described above AND information about the trust/entity, such as:

• Full name of estate/trust/entity
• Your relationship to the estate/trust/entity (i.e. executor, trustee, CEO)
• Address for the estate/trust/entity
• Date trust established (if claiming on behalf of a trust)
• Tax identification number for trust/estate/entity
• Insurance policy number(s) you’re making a claim on; if you don’t know the policy number, you may search for it using our policy finder at metlife.com/policyfinder/
• Documentation of your authorized representation for the trust/estate/entity

I’ve completed the appropriate form and gathered the necessary documents; how do I submit my claim for review?

If the policy(ies) you’re claiming is (are) less than $100,000 OR the original/certified death certificate is already on file from another beneficiary, you can submit your claim and documents by:

• Online
  • If you're an individual beneficiary: complete online
  • If you're a trust or entity: complete online

  Submitting required documents

  How do I obtain a death certificate?

  If you’re related to the insured, you should be able to obtain a death certificate from the funeral home. If the funeral home is unable to provide you with a copy, please contact the local authority responsible for providing vital records, in the place where the death occurred. Depending on the local laws, this may be a county or state office. They can tell you exactly what you need to do.

  Can I send you a copy of the death certificate or does it need to be certified?

  For policies with a face value equal to or under $100,000, you just need to send us a copy of the death certificate. However, for claims on policies valued over $100,000, you’ll need to send us a certified death certificate. A certified death certificate has a raised or colored seal on it.

  What other required documents do I need to submit with my completed claim form and the death certificate?

  • If you signed a document with a funeral home that authorizes us to make a payment directly to them, please provide us a copy of that document.
  • If the person died in an accident and you’re making an accidental death benefit claim, please provide us with proof of the accident. This includes police reports and other supporting documents.
  • If you have Power of Attorney over the beneficiary, please to provide us a copy of the document granting your authority.
  • If you’re claiming on behalf of an estate, please provide us with the court issued appointment papers naming you as the estate representative. Please note that the will of the insured isn’t enough and you can’t submit it to us in place of the court issued appointment papers.

  Filing a claim as a trust, estate or an entity

  What information do I need to know to fill out the claim form?

  If you’re completing a trust/entity claim form, you’ll need to fill out personal details for the insured and information about the trust/entity, such as:

  • Full name of the insured
  • Address of the insured
  • Date of birth of the insured
  • Social security number of the insured
  • Full name of estate/trust/entity
  • Your relationship to the estate/trust/entity (i.e. executor, trustee, CEO)
  • Address for the estate/trust/entity
  • Date trust established (if claiming on behalf of a trust)
  • Tax identification number for trust/estate/entity
  • Insurance policy number(s) you’re making a claim on; if you don’t know the policy number, you may search for it using our policy finder located at metlife.com/policyfinder/
  • Documentation of your authorized representation for the trust/estate/entity

  Filing with multiple beneficiaries

  I’m not the only beneficiary on this life insurance policy. Can we file the claim together or do we have to file separately?

  Each beneficiary will need to complete their own separate claim form. Once complete, you can choose to either submit your forms together or separately; whichever is easiest for you. Also, please note that we only need one death certificate – just one beneficiary needs to send it.

  If there are multiple beneficiaries, how will we get paid?

  Each beneficiary needs to submit a claim form in order to get paid. We’ll pay each beneficiary their proceeds separately as we receive the required claim documents from each of them. We don’t require all beneficiaries to make a claim before making payment to each individual.

  Receiving the life insurance proceeds

  Can I check the status of my claim?

  Yes, you can. Once we receive the documents, you can call our customer service team at 1-800-638-5000 for updates. If you’re filing as an individual beneficiary, we can also send you status updates via email or text if you selected one of these options when completing the claim kit. Otherwise, we’ll automatically notify you by mail of your payment status or if we need more information from you.

  How long will it take MetLife to approve my claim?

  Once we receive your claim, we’ll review everything within 5 business days and respond to your claim within 10 business days if we need more information from you.

  If there are multiple beneficiaries, how will we get paid?

  Each beneficiary needs to submit a claim form in order to get paid. We’ll pay each beneficiary their proceeds separately as we receive the required claim documents from each of them. We don’t require all beneficiaries to make a claim before making payment to each individual.

  Once MetLife approves my claim, how soon will I receive my payment?

  Once we approve your claim, you can receive your funds in two ways.

  1. Deposit funds into a interest bearing, no fee MetLife Total Control Account.* To learn more about this option please visit, MetLifeRetailTCA.MetLife.com.

  2. Receive a check via USPS within 5 business days. Please note mail delivery times may vary.

  Help

  I still have questions. Is there someone I can talk to?

  We recognize this may be a difficult time for you and we’re here to help. Please call us at 1-800-638-5000 with any questions or concerns you may have. We’re available Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern time.

  * Total Control Account® is a registered service mark of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. Special services fees may apply only for the following: draft copies ($2), stop payment of drafts ($10), overdrawn TCA ($15), and overnight delivery service ($25).

  

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