Here are instructions, tips and contacts to help file a claim with John Hancock Life Insurance.
When a loved-one dies there are so many things that immediately change and it puts a lot of pressure on the surviving spouse and family members. Filing a John Hancock life insurance claim shouldn’t be another cause of stress. But, life insurance claims are not always straight-forward or easy and in worst case scenarios life insurance claims get denied.
As a beneficiary you need to be as prepared as possible when you submit your claim. This means knowing what to expect, what can go wrong, having the documents you need and having resources ready to help you if needed. Here below we’ve put together answers and resource information to help with your life insurance claim submission.
The first thing to do is call John Hancock and notify them of the death. This will stop any premium payments and cash value withdrawals. But, it doesn’t start the claim.
The first thing John Hancock will do is review their records to determine if the policy was in good standing on the day the insured died and if the policy is contestable.
If the policy is in good standing and NOT contestable, John Hancock will send the claim forms and a claim will be started. They should make payment within a short period of time according to the Fair Claims rules for your state.
If the policy is contestable, get ready for a long process. Contestable is when the policy is less than 2 years old and the insurance company can review all the relevant history of the insured to make sure everything they answered on their application was correct. They’ll look very closely at medical history, driving records and criminal backgrounds. We always recommend you have representation by our firm when your life insurance claim is contestable.
If the policy was not in good standing when the insured died, the insurer will not send claim forms and not allow a claim to be filed. Don’t be discouraged. Often times a policy appears to not be in good standing but after a life insurance claim investigation facts are uncovered that show the policy is valid and a claim must be paid.
Reasons that a life insurance policy would not be in good standing include missed premium payments, cash value depletion, missing records, loans exceeding the death benefit and notification failures.
Whatever situation your life insurance claim falls into we’re your best resource for getting it paid. We’ve recovered more than $250 million for our clients from life insurance claims. If you need help contact us.
(888)428-4868
How to File a Claim with John Hancock Life Insurance
- Call the John Hancock Life Claims department.
- Inform them of the death and request claim forms.
- Get an original death certificate from the County or funeral home.
- Make a copy of the life insurance policy.
- Identify the contact information of primary care providers.
- Decide if you want to receive the claim money as a check or other option.
- Complete the John Hancock claim forms and return by USPS Priority mail.
- Check the time allowed in your state for a life insurance claim to be processed and paid.
- Verify that John Hancock received your documents.
- Request that they pay any funeral costs directly from the claim.
- Follow up with the Hancock Claim department regularly.
John Hancock Claims Department
Contestable life insurance claims with John Hancock
The process for starting a claim is the same whether your claim is subject to an investigation or not. But the process for getting the claim approved and paid is completely different when it’s contestable.
A contestable examination will mean Hancock orders medical records, driving records, background checks and maybe other things depending on the circumstances. Just getting these records can take months and insurers are in no hurry.
Once they have the records they look at the original application and scrutinize every answer against the records they now have. For example, with medical records they’ll look back years at history and look at the questions on the application, “Have you had any blood disorder? Have you been treated for a respiratory disorder? Have you been counseled for alcohol use?”
Sometimes these questions weren’t understood or even asked to the person. But Hancock will look at their application answers as the truth. It’s a brutal evaluation which Hancock controls.
If all answers appear to be accurate the claim will be paid. But, it can take months and months if someone doesn’t push it along.
If any one answer turns out to be inaccurate John Hancock will deny the claim and refund the premiums.
Call Us: 888-428-4868
Don’t submit to a contestable examination of your life insurance claim without representation working for you. No fee. Over $250 million recovered for our clients.
The Center for Life Insurance Disputes
John Hancock Life and Long-term care insurance products are issued by: John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), Boston, MA 02116 (not licensed in New York) and John Hancock Life Insurance Company of New York, Valhalla, NY 10595 and John Hancock Life & Health Insurance Company, Boston, MA 02116 (Long-term care insurance). Securities are offered through John Hancock Distributors LLC through other broker/dealers that have a selling agreement with John Hancock Distributors LLC, 197 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA 02116.