My life insurance beneficiary is in another country

It is no secret that the world is becoming more and more globalized each day. We are easily connected with friends, family, or business partners across the globe. Therefore, it is no surprise that very often we run into the question: What if my life insurance beneficiary is in another country? Is that possible, are there any things to consider and how does it work? In this guide, we’ve decided to answer these questions and address the most common concerns.

Here is what we would cover

• Insurable interest – what exactly it means and why does it matter

• Can my life insurance beneficiary live in another country?

• Tips of naming beneficiaries when they live abroad

• The process of collecting the death benefit

If you are an expat, living abroad or you simply would like us to review your personal situation and provide you with advice, just reach out to us. You can do so by filling out the instant quote form, sending us a message or simply giving us a call. We specialize in life insurance for foreign nationals.

Insurable interest – what exactly does it mean and why does it matter?

Prior to reviewing the topic, we need to turn our attention to the term “insurable interest”. It is important to understand what exactly it represents and how it applies to you.

…Insurable interest is the basis of all insurance policies…Life insurance regulations have evolved to require a relationship in which the policy owner will suffer a financial loss in the event of the insured’s death…

What does this mean?

Simply put, your beneficiary needs to suffer a financial loss should you pass away. The purpose of life insurance is to put you in the same financial situation prior to the loss. There are many examples, where insurable interest is obvious – spouses, children, business partners and etc.

Insurable interest is one of the biggest questions you may face when your life insurance beneficiary is in another country. What type of financial hardship he or she face if something were to happen to you? Below are some examples of cases we’ve encountered in our practice.

Example 1:

We helped a gentleman secure a life insurance policy. His fiancee was still in Columbia and due to family reasons, she couldn’t join him in the US. They are engaged and he is assisting her financially.

Example 2:

The son is living in the US, but his parents are living in Mexico. He does not have any other relatives in the US and his parents would be paying for his burial should something happen to him.

In both scenarios, our clients have named a foreign national as a beneficiary on their life insurance policy. We’ve also dedicated a separate article on how to name a foreign national as a beneficiary.

Bottom Line

Insurable interest matters especially when your life insurance beneficiary is in another country. Please consider the financial hardship he or she may suffer and be prepared to answer the question about insurable interest.

Can my life insurance beneficiary live in another country

We would be direct and give you a straightforward answer: Yes, you can name someone as a life insurance beneficiary even if they are not living in the US. Again, the biggest concern is “why” they are your beneficiary and what is their insurable interest in your life.

Tips for naming beneficiaries when they live abroad

There are several things you can do ahead of time to ensure that your beneficiary would be able to access the life insurance coverage:

Ensure that you have their complete and accurate information listed on the beneficiary field on your policy.

This includes:

• Full legal name
• Date of birth
• Social Security Number, if available
• Relationship
• Address
• Email address and phone number

You want to make sure that the carrier would have ways of reaching out to the beneficiary and also confirming his or her identity

Give the beneficiary the policy information – this may seem straightforward, but it is a step that is oftentimes overlooked. Make sure that your beneficiary has the following information:

• Company Name and phone number
• Policy number
• Coverage amount
• Are there any other beneficiaries listed on the policy? If yes, they would also need to contact the company

Give them your agent’s information – this might be one of the best things you can do. It would ensure that they have a point of contact that they can reach out to directly, should something happen. In many instances, it is easier to work directly with someone, rather than a corporate office.

The process of collecting the death benefit

This is without a doubt the most important question, how a life insurance beneficiary claim the death benefit if he or she lives in another country? To answer the questions, we’ve parted the answer based on whether he or she is able to come to the US.

The beneficiary is able to return to the US – if this is the case, the process would be fairly simple

• Notify the carrier or agent of the death of the insured and file a claim
• Complete the claim form and provide the carrier with identification paperwork, current address, proof of death and etc.
• Once the carrier receives the completed claims form, they will review the case.

The contestability period is a standard for EVERY insurance company out there. It allows them to contest the claim if death occurs within the first 2 policy years. They can review the application, the medical history of the insured, and the events surrounding his or her death. If they find misrepresentations, they have the right to deny the claim

Pro Tip:

Always be upfront and honest with the carrier. Do not try to hide a medical condition, misrepresent your income and etc. This could only give them a reason not to pay, should something happen to you.

For additional information, you can review our guide on Will my life insurance pay if I die abroad?

The beneficiary is not able to return to the US – this would make the process a bit lengthier. Companies may have to mail the death claim package and wait for it to be mailed back. Luckily, many companies are able to work with individuals in an effort to make the process less complicated and more straightforward. It is possible for the carrier to wire the life insurance benefit to the beneficiary.

Last thing to consider:

Any possible tax consequences for the beneficiary. Typically, the life insurance benefit is tax-free for the beneficiary in the US, therefore it is often used as a wealth preservation tool by foreign nationals. . This may not be the case in the country where the beneficiary resides. Please consult with a tax advisor to get accurate advice.

In conclusion,

If your life insurance beneficiary is in another country, you can still list him or her on your policy. You would need to make sure that he or she has an insurable interest in your death and also have ways of reaching out to the life insurance company.

Thank you for going through the article and we are looking forward to answering any questions you might have.