Questions & answers · Life insurance
My family member died. How do I claim the life insurance, how long does the company have to pay, and what if we can't find the policy?
Life insuranceHow to fileTexasChecked Nov 5, 2026
From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-05 · Source: TDI View original ↗
In short
- The company pays the person named in the policy.
- In Texas, it must pay within two months after proof of death.
- If you can't find the policy, try the NAIC policy locator.
What this means
The life insurance company pays the death benefit to the person named in the policy, called the beneficiary. If no beneficiary is named, or the beneficiary has died, the company pays the death benefit to the estate [1].
In Texas, TDI says companies must pay the death benefit within two months after getting proof of death and verifying the beneficiary. For an individual life policy, the company must also pay interest from the time it got proof of death to the time it agreed to pay. Payment can take longer if the death happened during the policy's contestable period [1].
Companies usually pay the death benefit as one lump sum, but other payout options exist, such as an interest option or a fixed period [1].
If you can't find the policy, TDI points to the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator Service. TDI says it has no way of knowing whether a person had life insurance, and suggests looking for premium payments in bank statements, looking for insurance agents in the person's contacts, and contacting the person's former employers' benefits offices about group life insurance. In Texas you can also search the state's Unclaimed Property website for benefits turned over to the state after three years [2].
TDI says beneficiaries rarely pay income or inheritance taxes on a life insurance death benefit [1].
Your next step
+ deadline: send the company proof of death and ask what else it needs to verify you as beneficiary. In Texas, the two-month payment period starts once the company has proof of death and has verified the beneficiary [1]. Other states set their own timing.
Where this comes from (2)
[1] TDI · checked 2026-11-05
Your life insurance company will make payments after your death to the person you name in your policy. This person is called your beneficiary. … Companies usually pay the death benefit as a single lump sum, but there are other options. … Interest option. … Fixed period. … Companies must pay the death benefit within two months after getting proof of death and verifying your beneficiary. For an individual life policy, …
[2] TDI · checked 2026-11-05
To find a missing life insurance policy or annuity contract, use the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' Life Insurance Policy Locator Service. TDI has no way of knowing if a person had life insurance. Here are some tips to help in your search: Look at bank statements and check registers for payments to life insurance companies. Look for insurance agents in your relative's address book or personal phone …
How we found this
We matched your question to 2 official sources, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-05.
What we don’t know yet
Your own plan or notice may say something different. If your letter cites another rule, send it and we will look again.
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Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.
This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.
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