The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted nearly every aspect of the life insurance claims process. A sudden increase in mortality, government shutdowns, and delays in medical and administrative systems caused many life insurance claims to take longer than expected to resolve.
Not every pandemic related delay was improper. However, in many cases, insurers relied on COVID related complications to justify prolonged delays that exceeded reasonable claims handling timelines.
Why Life Insurance Claims Slowed During the Pandemic
Several objective factors contributed to slower claim processing during the COVID-19 pandemic, including:
Delays in issuing certified death certificates
Backlogs in medical record departments
Limited access to autopsy and coroner reports
Reduced staffing at insurers and third party vendors
Disruptions in employer reporting for group policies
These issues affected both individual and group life insurance claims nationwide.
COVID-19 as a Trigger for Extended Investigations
Insurers frequently treated COVID-19 related deaths as grounds for expanded investigation. Claims involving recent policy issuance, medical history questions, or unclear causes of death were often placed under heightened review.
In some cases, insurers requested extensive medical records even when the cause of death was clearly documented and unrelated to coverage exclusions.
When Pandemic Delays Became Unreasonable
While short delays were often unavoidable, problems arose when insurers:
Continued investigations after receiving complete documentation
Failed to explain what information was still needed
Repeatedly requested records already provided
Used COVID-19 as a general justification without specifics
Allowed months to pass without meaningful claim activity
At a certain point, pandemic conditions no longer justified continued inaction.
Contestability Period Reviews During COVID-19
Claims involving policies issued shortly before death were commonly delayed under contestability review. During the pandemic, these reviews often took far longer than typical pre pandemic timelines.
Many beneficiaries experienced delays lasting many months even after insurers had gathered all relevant underwriting and medical records.
Group Life Insurance Delays During the Pandemic
Group life insurance claims were particularly affected. Employer closures, staffing shortages, and record access issues caused delays in verifying coverage, employment status, and beneficiary designations.
In some cases, insurers delayed payment based on incomplete employer information rather than pursuing alternative verification methods.
COVID-19 Cause of Death Issues
Early in the pandemic, cause of death reporting was inconsistent. Insurers sometimes delayed claims while awaiting clarification of whether COVID-19 was the primary or contributing cause of death.
Most life insurance policies do not exclude coverage for COVID-19, but uncertainty around documentation contributed to processing delays.
What Beneficiaries Could Expect Versus What Occurred
Under normal circumstances, many life insurance claims are paid within 30 to 60 days after submission of required documents. During the pandemic, reasonable extensions were expected.
However, delays extending far beyond that range without explanation often raised concerns about claims handling practices rather than pandemic logistics.
What Beneficiaries Should Do After a COVID-Related Delay
If a life insurance claim was delayed during the pandemic:
Request a written explanation for the delay
Confirm which documents have been received
Ask whether the investigation is complete
Document all timelines and communications
Preserve correspondence showing prolonged inactivity
Even during extraordinary circumstances, insurers remain obligated to act in good faith.
How Pandemic Delays Fit Into Life Insurance Claim Disputes
COVID-19 related delays fall within a broader category of delayed life insurance claims involving administrative backlogs, investigative overreach, and lack of transparency.
For a broader discussion of unreasonable claim delays and beneficiary rights, see your Delayed Life Insurance Claims page.