Individual life insurance and wealth death claims

This document provides information needed when a death occurs such as forms and information for Living Benefits.

Who handles death claims?

The advisor of record is responsible for obtaining death claim requirements and delivery of any resulting cheques.

Life claims department

To contact Life Claim Services, use Request Centre - Death - claim - inquire.
E-mail: LFCLM@sunlife.com
Telephone number: 1-877-786-5433 FAX: 519-888-3462

Products handled in life claims

Life insurance - Individual
Accumulation Annuities
Guaranteed Investment Certificates
Payout Annuities
RRIF

You have a death claim - follow these steps

  • Print statements 

Print the account portfolio summary from Client portfolio as the records will not be available after the claim has been reported on any policies insuring the deceased's life.

  • Advise Life Claim Services 

Advise Life Claim Services by e-mailing LFCLM@sunlife.com or calling the Advisor Service Centre (1-877-272-2020). Please advise the date of death if available. If you know what claim requirements are needed, indicate this. Otherwise, Life Claim Services will e-mail you this information. 

Death of a beneficiary

If you discover during the death claim process that the beneficiary predeceased the life insured, we will require an original Death Certificate or Funeral Director's Statement with seal. If death occurs within Canada a copy can be submitted with an obituary or the name, address and phone number of the funeral home handling the services.
An alternative is a Declaration of death by estate trustee (E99) form signed by the executor of the estate of the life insured.

Death of an owner

For information on what is required to initiate a transfer of ownership on a policy where the policy owner is deceased, see Transfer of ownership requirements at death of policyowners - Life insurance - all provinces.

Forms required for death claim - Individual

Policy issue date Named beneficiary Estate beneficiary
More than 5 years Beneficiary Claim Statement (E84) completed by beneficiary  Beneficiary Claim Statement
(E84)

completed by executor or administrator
Original Death Certificate or Funeral Director's Statement with seal. If death occurs within Canada a copy can be submitted with an obituary or the name, address and phone number of the funeral home handling the services.  Funeral director's statement (original with seal)
$150,000-$249,999.99- Notarial copy of will
$250,000 or more - Notarial copy of probated will
$250,000 or more - Quebec - Notarial copy of will and will Search
Less than 5 years Beneficiary Claim Statement (E84) completed by beneficiary Beneficiary Claim Statement
(E84)

completed by executor or administrator
  Proof of death/Physician's statement (E65) Proof of death/Physician's statement (E65)
$150,000-$249,999.99 - Notarial copy of will
$250,000 or more - Notarial copy of probated will
$250,000 or more - Quebec - Notarial copy of will and will search

Beneficiary Claim Statement - form E84

The Beneficiary Claim Statement (E84) is completed by person or persons entitled to receive the proceeds.

Named beneficiary

  • More than one beneficiary - each beneficiary must complete a Beneficiary Claim Statement (E84).
  • Care should be taken to ensure the form is completed by the proper person, acting in the capacity as beneficiary.

Executor

  • If the estate is the beneficiary, the claim statement must be completed by the executor or administrator.
  • Care should be taken to ensure the form is completed by the proper person, acting in the capacity as executor or administrator.

Minor beneficiary

  • Uniform Province - under age 18

Trustee named:

  • Beneficiary Claim Statement completed by trustee.
  • Signature area " John Doe trustee for Sally Doe, Date of Birth DD/MM/YY. Cheque is made payable to "John Doe, in trust for Sally Doe, minor beneficiary.

No trustee named:

  • The regulations vary for each province. Contact Life Claims Services using the Claims section of Request Centre. Quebec - under age 18

No trustee can be named:

  • If less than $25,000 - the proceeds can be claimed by both parents.
  • If more than $25,000 - the proceeds can be claimed by both parents. Life Claims will advise the Public Curator and indicate the value of the property.

Incompetent beneficiary

  • If the beneficiary is unable to claim due to incompetency and no power of attorney has been appointed, we require a claim statement by the committee.
  • If the proceeds are over $50,000, a notarial copy of the document appointing the committee is required.

Company/Corporation beneficiary

  • Beneficiary Claim Statement (E84) is to be completed by representative of the company.
  • Top part of the Beneficiary Claim Statement should be information about the company.
  • Beside the signature, signer should indicate their office held in the organization.
  • If the company has a seal, it should be affixed to the form.