Guys, I’m currently dealing with obtaining death benefits from my parent’s life insurance policies, issued by two different providers. I am the sole beneficiary of these policies. My parent passed away abroad, and both insurance companies require the original foreign death certificate (not a copy). However, only one company says they will return the certificate when they are finished investigating and processing the claim. The other company says that they will not return the original death certificate (or any other documents I send) - absolutely no exceptions. Is this normal? Does anyone have any advice on how I should proceed?
Unfortunately, the process to obtain a death certificate from the country in which my parent passed away is extremely difficult - I would most likely have to go to that country and there would still be a lot of language, cultural, and bureaucratic barriers, not to mention the time and cost of going abroad. While my parent was a dual citizen of that country and the US, I have no legal standing and cannot legally prove my familial relationship to my parent in that country (I know, it’s complicated).
Thoughts, advice, or even commiseration would be greatly appreciated. TIA
It’s unusual for an insurance company to refuse to return an original death certificate, and it can complicate your situation significantly. I’d recommend requesting certified copies of the certificate if possible and explaining your circumstances to the company that won’t return the original. Consulting with a legal professional who specializes in insurance or estate law could provide valuable guidance and help negotiate with the insurers. Additionally, contacting the U.S. Embassy in the country where your parent passed away might offer assistance in obtaining necessary documents or handling bureaucratic challenges. Make sure to document all communications with the insurance companies and consider mediation if direct negotiations fail.
I’ve been through a similar situation when my mother passed away abroad, and dealing with life insurance companies and foreign death certificates can be incredibly frustrating. It’s not uncommon for insurance companies to request the original death certificate, but it’s definitely concerning when one refuses to return it. In my case, I had to get creative by providing notarized copies along with a letter explaining the difficulty of obtaining another original. I would suggest reaching out to the company that won’t return the original, explaining your situation, and asking if there’s any alternative they could accept. If that doesn’t work, consider legal advice or contacting a consulate for help navigating the foreign bureaucracy. I know how tough and overwhelming this can be, so hang in there and keep pushing for what’s right.
