Making a life insurance claim
What a beneficiary does, the contestability period, common issues, and how to challenge a denied life claim.
What the beneficiary does
Contact the insurer, request the claimant's statement, and provide a certified death certificate and the policy number. Name and beneficiary details must match.
Timeline
Valid, uncontested claims are often paid within weeks. Delays usually mean missing documents or a contestability review.
The contestability period
In roughly the first two years, an insurer can investigate and deny for material misrepresentation on the application (e.g. undisclosed smoking or health history). Honest applications are the best protection.
Common issues
- No named beneficiary (proceeds go to the estate → probate and possible creditor claims).
- A lapsed policy (missed premiums).
- Suicide clause in the first two years.
- A beneficiary who is a minor without a trustee.
If denied
Request the specific reason and the application they're relying on, complain to the insurer's ombudsman, then the OmbudService for Life & Health Insurance (OLHI), then the regulator. Contested life claims often warrant a lawyer.
Need the letters?
Open the Fight-Back Kit templates →Educational only — not legal advice. Deadlines vary by province and are being confirmed with legal review; verify yours. For large or complex disputes, involve a lawyer early. Robert is a mascot, not an advisor.