Last verified 2026-08-18; facts checked against the primary sources below
MetLife life insurance claim after death
Last verified: August 18, 2026
The short answer: Start an individual MetLife claim online or download the appropriate individual-beneficiary or trust/entity kit. Submit the completed form and death certificate. Employer coverage usually begins through the deceased person's employer. MetLife's group-life status number is 1-800-638-6420, prompt 2; individual-life claim status is 1-800-638-5000.
MetLife claim routes
| Coverage | Starting point |
|---|---|
| Individual policy | MetLife Life Insurance Claims portal |
| Employer policy | Contact employer, then use claim kit or online submission |
| Individual beneficiary | Individual beneficiary claim kit |
| Estate, trust, or entity | Trust/entity claim kit plus authority documents |
| Missing policy number | MetLife Policy Finder |
What information does MetLife request?
MetLife's current claim guide lists names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, relationship, and policy numbers. A trust or estate also provides its legal name, tax ID, address, and proof that the signer can act.
The claim kit controls whether an original or certified death certificate is required. MetLife publishes electronic submission options for qualifying claims and separate mail, email, and fax instructions on the kit.
What if you do not know the policy number?
Use MetLife's policy finder from the Life Claims page. Also check employer records and premium payments. Privacy rules may limit what MetLife can disclose before claimant status is verified.
Is the estate entitled to the benefit?
Only if the estate is the beneficiary or policy rules direct payment there. A named individual or trust beneficiary normally claims directly, outside the probate account.
Use the policy-specific MetLife claim kit; employer and individual coverage follow different routes.