How to Claim AIG Life Insurance

Life insurance is very simple: It is simply the promise of dollars that step in the day the insured dies, when the family or business associates most needs them. Because life insurance is designed to provide immediate financial help to a cash-strapped widow or business during a crisis, life insurance generally bypasses probate and the court system, with the death benefit going to the beneficiary in a matter of days -- provided the proper paperwork is filed.

• 1

  Contact the AIG life insurance agent. You can determine this by looking at the deceased's statements orat the policy or policy binder itself. If you do not know who the agent is or you cannot locate a physical copy of the policy or any correspondence, contact AIG directly at 800-521-2773, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., Central time. If you are filing a claim with AIG Hawaii, though, call Farmers Insurance Hawaii at 808-544-3999.

• 2

  Obtain a copy of the deceased's death certificate. Generally, you can get this from the county coroner's office. The certificate should state the name, date and cause of death. If the deceased was killed in the commission of a felony, you may not be able to collect a death claim.

• 3

  Fill out a claim form from AIG. Your agent will provide you with the claim form, or the AIG representative can email or fax you the appropriate form. You will need the policy number in order to complete the form. If you don't have the policy available, you can request it from AIG. You will need to provide as much information about the deceased as you can, including full name, date of birth and Social Security number, if possible.

• 4

  Select a payout option. Depending on the policy, you may select a lump sum, a specific income, a guaranteed income for life, or simply collect the interest on the lump sum of money. While the lump sum is generally tax-free, the interest on a lump sum is generally taxable.