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VA » Veterans Benefits Administration » Life Insurance » How to File an Insurance Death Claim

Life Insurance

How to File an Insurance Death Claim

Losing someone can be very difficult. VA is here to continue to honor your loved one's service by providing quick and easy ways to file a life insurance death claim.

VA Life Insurance Programs (non-SGLI/VGLI)

Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI)

Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI)

Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (FSGLI)

Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI)

SGLI Traumatic Injury (TSGLI)

VA Life Insurance Programs (not SGLI/VGLI)

Filing an Insurance Death Claim

To file a claim for VA Life Insurance online, you will need to complete VA Form 29-4125e, Claim for One Sum Payment and attach the Veteran's death certificate and any other documents listed under required documentation.

Benefits of filing your claim electronically:

Ensures that required fields are completed,
Provides improved processing time,
Requires no postage,
Provides added protection as the electronic record serves as an audit trail and proof of transaction

Required Documentation

Please note, original copies of death certificates are not required.

If you are a...	Then you will need to submit…
Principal Beneficiary	VA Form 29-4125e, Claim for One Sum Payment signed by the principal beneficiary Death certificate of the insured Veteran showing the date and cause of death (this can be attached to the electronic claim form)
Contingent Beneficiary	VA Form 29-4125e, Claim for One Sum Payment signed by the contingent beneficiary Death certificate of the insured Veteran showing the date and cause of death (this can be attached to the electronic claim form) Death certificate(s) of all principal beneficiary(ies) showing the date and cause of death (this can be attached to the electronic claim form)
Representative of the Estate	Death certificate of the insured Veteran showing the date and cause of death (this can be attached to the electronic claim form) AND VA Form 29-4125e, Claim for One Sum Payment signed by the executor or administrator of the estate Letters testamentary, letters of administration, or a court order of distribution (this can be attached to the electronic claim form) OR VA Form 29-541e, Certificate Showing Residence and Heirs of Deceased Veteran and a written statement that there will be no administration of the estate
Minor or an Incompetent Beneficiary	VA Form 29-4125, Claim for One Sum Payment signed by the next of kin, personal representative (guardian, custodian, etc.) or logical person to receive payment for the minor or incompetent beneficiary Letters of guardianship, conservatorship, etc. (if any) and address of minor or incompetent beneficiary Death certificate of the insured Veteran showing the date and cause of death

Note: If the beneficiary desires monthly payments instead of one lump sum, additional information is needed. Please call us toll-free at 1-800-669-8477 for instructions.

Sending Your Claim to VA Insurance

There are 3 ways to send your claim form and documents to the Insurance Center:

1. File claim electronically online - This is the fastest and most secure way to send your claim.

2. Upload Your Documents using our secure web page - This is also a fast and secure way to send your claim.

3. Mail your documents to the following address:

Department of Veterans Affairs
Insurance Center
P O Box 7208
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19101

How to File an Insurance Claim (2:00 minutes)

Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance Claims

Learn how to file a claim for VMLI.

Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) Claims

Insureds on Active Duty at the time of death

Complete form SGLV 8283, Claim for Death Benefits and contact your Branch of Service Casualty Assistance Office for assistance in submitting the form to the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (OSGLI).

Insureds not on Active Duty at the time of death

If the insured was a Reservist or National Guard member, or released from Active Duty before his/her death, send the following with your claim:

a copy of the death certificate (or a photocopy) AND
a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty OR
NGB-22, Report of Separation and Military Service OR
other separation documents

Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (FSGLI) Claims

Complete form SGLV 8283A, Claim for Family Coverage Death Benefits and contact your Branch of Service Casualty Assistance Office for assistance in submitting the form to the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (OSGLI).

Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) Claims

Complete form SGLV 8283, Claim for Death Benefits and fax it to 1-877-832-4943 or mail it to the following address with a copy of the death certificate:

Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (OSGLI)
PO Box 70173
Philadelphia, PA 19176-9912

SGLI Traumatic Injury (TSGLI) Claims

Complete form SGLV 8600, Application for TSGLI Benefits, or request the form from your service department point of contact, then submit the completed claim to the branch of service listed on the form, along with photocopies of any evidence to support your claim.

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