When/if an insured employee or their dependent passes away, the insured’s employer should be notified.

Usually the employer requires the following information:

• Name of Deceased
• Deceased’s Date of Birth
• Deceased’s Date of Death
• Certified Death Certificate
• Name of Beneficiary
• Address for Beneficiary
• Telephone Number for Beneficiary
• E-mail address for Beneficiary      

The employer will initiate the claim by completing the claim form and submitting the required proof of death claim documents to OneAmerica Financial. The employer may submit the claim by email, fax or U.S. mail using the contact information provided.

A OneAmerica Financial Claim Representative is available from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday at 800-553-3522 for assistance in completing the Group Life Insurance Claim Packet.

The death claim should be filed as soon as a certified death certificate is issued, but no later than one (1) year from the date of death of the deceased.

The following claim requirements should be submitted with the completed Group Life Insurance Claim Packet:

• A certified death certificate
• Insured employee’s enrollment information (e.g., initial enrollment form/card, electronic enrollment verifications)
• The most current Guaranteed Increase in Benefit enrollment form, if applicable
• All beneficiary designations

Upon receipt of a claim, OneAmerica Financial will mail an acknowledgement letter to the beneficiary. The beneficiary will be advised in writing and by phone if any additional claim requirements are needed. Our goal is to complete processing of the claim as quickly as possible after receipt of all claim requirements. This typically occurs within five (5) business days.

To check the claim status for insurance provided through an employer, call a OneAmerica Financial Claim Representative from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. ET at 1-800-553-3522. A message may be left after 5 p.m. ET, and you may expect your call to be returned by 10 a.m. ET the following business day.

No, only the signature of employer’s authorized representative is required.

Yes, separate claim forms are required for each deceased person.

Yes, we will correspond with the named beneficiary to obtain the final certified death certificate, which lists the cause and manner of death, once it becomes available. 

Beneficiaries should contact the funeral director or the state public vital records/statistics office to obtain a corrected certified death certificate. The claim cannot be processed with an incorrect certified death certificate (e.g., incorrect Social Security Number, date of birth, etc.)

A copy of the predeceased beneficiary’s certified death certificate will be required. The contingent beneficiary’s contact information should also be provided. If there is no designated contingent beneficiary, the contact information for the person filing the claim should be provided. OneAmerica will contact the appropriate party for additional information.

The policy and/or state law outlines how insurance proceeds can be paid in this situation. 

• If state regulations allow, a small estate affidavit may be submitted in lieu of the certified copy of the Letters of Testamentary. Your legal counsel can assist you with this information.      
• If state regulations do not allow small estate affidavits or if the claim proceeds exceed the amount permitted for state small estate affidavits, an estate must be opened. After the estate has been established, the following must be submitted to OneAmerica:
  • A copy of the certified letters of testamentary appointing the executor/administrator of the estate;
  • Tax Identification Number (EIN) for the estate (File Form W-9). Per the IRS, we are not permitted to use the insured’s Social Security Number; and
  • Proof an Estate financial institution account has been opened.  

If the beneficiary is a trust, the trustee will need to submit the following documents to OneAmerica:

• Copy of the complete trust document, with names of trustee successors, signatures, and amendments;
• Trust Tax Identification Number (EIN) (Per the IRS, we are not permitted to use the insured’s Social Security Number) – File Form W-9;
• For Testamentary Trusts, we require:
  • A copy of the probated will; 
  • Letters of Testamentary appointing the executor; and
  • Proof a Trust financial institution account has been opened.  

The POA ceases at the time of death. OneAmerica can only release information following the death of an insured person if you are the beneficiary or their legal representative.  

The claim should be submitted with the best information available. We will evaluate the claim and may contact you for additional information, if necessary.

Yes, a completed death claim form needs to be submitted.

The following information will be needed:

• Newspaper accounts;
• Medical examiner autopsy and reports;
• Police reports; and
• Toxicology reports

Yes, most policies have a timely filing requirement for accidental or unnatural deaths which identifies the:

• Amount of time in which the claim must be filed;
• Timeframe in which the loss must be incurred, and
• Timeframe for filing the claim.