Notifications from Aflac

We care about Aflac’s policyholders affected by the recent wildfires:

To help provide relief for California policyholders residing in Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties affected by the Lightning ignited fires, Aflac will provide a premium grace period starting Sept. 2, 2025, and ending Nov. 18, 2025. This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the policy. Aflac will provide a replacement copy of the policy upon request by the policyholder.

For Network Dental and Vision Members:

This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims; relaxation of prior authorization, precertification, and referral requirements; access to appropriate out-of-network providers due to unavailability on in-network providers or the members’ displacement; and leniency for any other action required under the certificate. A replacement copy of the certificate will be provided upon request by the certificate holder. Affected members should contact Aflac Benefit Solutions (formerly Argus Dental and Vision) at 855-819-1873, Option 1, for assistance.


We care about Aflac’s policyholders affected by the recent wildfires:

To help provide relief for Utah policyholders residing in Utah who were affected by the wildfires, Aflac will provide a premium grace period starting July 31, 2025, and ending Sept. 29, 2025. This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the policy. Aflac will provide a replacement copy of the policy upon request by the policyholder.

For Network Dental and Vision Members:

This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims; relaxation of prior authorization, precertification, and referral requirements; access to appropriate out-of-network providers due to unavailability on in-network providers or the members’ displacement; and leniency for any other action required under the certificate. A replacement copy of the certificate will be provided upon request by the certificate holder. Affected members should contact Aflac Benefit Solutions (formerly Argus Dental and Vision) at 855-819-1873, Option 1, for assistance.


We care about Aflac’s policyholders affected by the recent weather:

To help provide relief for California policyholders residing in Humboldt, Mendocino, Modoc, Napa, Shasta, Sonoma, and Trinity Counties affected by the winter storms, Aflac will provide a premium grace period starting Jan. 31, 2025, and ending Sept. 29, 2025. This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the policy. Aflac will provide a replacement copy of the policy upon request by the policyholder.

For Network Dental and Vision Members:

This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims; relaxation of prior authorization, precertification, and referral requirements; access to appropriate out-of-network providers due to unavailability on in-network providers or the members’ displacement; and leniency for any other action required under the certificate. A replacement copy of the certificate will be provided upon request by the certificate holder. Affected members should contact Aflac Benefit Solutions (formerly Argus Dental and Vision) at 855-819-1873, Option 1, for assistance.


We care about Aflac’s policyholders affected by the recent wildfires:

To help provide relief for Oregon policyholders residing in Oregon who were affected by the wildfires, Aflac will provide a premium grace period starting July 16, 2025, and ending Sept. 15, 2025. This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the policy. Aflac will provide a replacement copy of the policy upon request by the policyholder.

For Network Dental and Vision Members:

This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims; relaxation of prior authorization, precertification, and referral requirements; access to appropriate out-of-network providers due to unavailability on in-network providers or the members’ displacement; and leniency for any other action required under the certificate. A replacement copy of the certificate will be provided upon request by the certificate holder. Affected members should contact Aflac Benefit Solutions (formerly Argus Dental and Vision) at 855-819-1873, Option 1, for assistance.


We care about Aflac’s policyholders affected by the recent wildfires:

To help provide relief for Oregon policyholders residing in Crook County who were affected by the wildfires, Aflac will provide a premium grace period starting July 12, 2025, and ending Sept. 10, 2025. This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the policy. Aflac will provide a replacement copy of the policy upon request by the policyholder.

For Network Dental and Vision Members:

This grace period also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims; relaxation of prior authorization, precertification, and referral requirements; access to appropriate out-of-network providers due to unavailability on in-network providers or the members’ displacement; and leniency for any other action required under the certificate. A replacement copy of the certificate will be provided upon request by the certificate holder. Affected members should contact Aflac Benefit Solutions (formerly Argus Dental and Vision) at 855-819-1873, Option 1, for assistance.


We care about Aflac’s policyholders affected by the recent wildfires:

To provide relief for New Mexico policyholiders and/or certificate holders residing in Grant County and affected by the Trout Fire, Aflac will provide the following protections for policyholders and/or certificate holders: Provide an extended premium grace period from Thursday, Jun. 12, 2025 through Monday, Sep. 15, 2025. Offer policyholders and/or certificate holders a payment plan of no less than six (6) months if unable to pay the delinquency after the extended day grace period (This applies to all coverages except life.). Work with policyholders and/or certificate holders on premium payments to prevent lapse and cancellation of policies. Waive late fees and penalties. Waive early refill time limits on active prescriptions. Allow additional time for actions required under the policy and/or certificate and the submission of documents due to limited access to service and mobility. Provide an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the policy and/or certificate. Provide a copy of the policy and/or certificate to the policyholder and/or certificate holder upon request.

In addition to the above, Aflac through Aflac Benefits Solutions will provide the following protections for Network Dental and Vision members and providers: Waive cost sharing and deductibles. Permit one eyeglass or contact lens replacement and one hearing aid replacement during the pendency of the Emergency Order, waiving frequency limitations. Permit one replacement for dentures or other prosthodontic devices during the pendency of this Emergency Order, waiving frequency limits. Waive additional fees, charges, referrals, eligibility and prior authorization requirements for medically necessary services, whether emergent or not. This applies to benefits and services obtained from both in- and out-of-network providers. Extend medical providers' reporting requirements for claims submissions and for additional information relating to claims. Fully reimburse out-of-network providers at the usual, customary, and reasonable rate.

Affected members should contact Aflac Dental and Vision (formerly Argus Dental and Vision) at 855-819-1873, option 1, for assistance.


We care about Aflac’s policyholders affected by the recent weather:

To help provide relief for California policyholders residing in Trinity County affected by the Dec. 15, 2024, and Dec. 29, 2024, winter storms, Aflac will provide billing leniency for impacted insureds, an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the policy. Aflac will provide a replacement copy of the policy upon request by the policyholder. Affected members should contact Aflac at 800-992-3522 for assistance.

For Network Dental and Vision Members:

This also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the certificate. Affected members are not required to obtain prior approval when accessing appropriate out-of-network providers when in-network providers are unavailable. The cost-sharing for out-of-network will be in amount equal to cost-sharing affected members would have paid for the provision of that service in-network. A replacement copy of the certificate will be provided upon request by the certificate holder. Affected members should contact Aflac Benefit Solutions (formerly Argus Dental and Vision) at 855-819-1873, Option 1, for assistance.


We care about Aflac’s policyholders affected by the recent levee failure:

To help provide relief for California policyholders residing in San Joaquin County affected by the Oct. 21, 2024, Victoria Island Levee failure, Aflac will provide billing leniency for impacted insureds, an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the policy. Aflac will provide a replacement copy of the policy upon request by the policyholder. Affected members should contact Aflac at 800-992-3522 for assistance.

For Network Dental and Vision Members:

This also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the certificate. Affected members are not required to obtain prior approval when accessing appropriate out-of-network providers when in-network providers are unavailable. The cost-sharing for out-of-network will be in amount equal to cost-sharing affected members would have paid for the provision of that service in-network. A replacement copy of the certificate will be provided upon request by the certificate holder. Affected members should contact Aflac Benefit Solutions (formerly Argus Dental and Vision) at 855-819-1873, Option 1, for assistance.


We care about Aflac’s policyholders affected by the recent wildfires:

To help provide relief for California policyholders residing in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties affected by the wildfires, Aflac will provide billing leniency for impacted insureds, an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the policy. Aflac will provide a replacement copy of the policy upon request by the policyholder. Affected members should contact Aflac at 800-992-3522 for assistance.

For Network Dental and Vision Members:

This also provides an extension of filing deadlines for claims and leniency for any other action required under the certificate. Affected members are not required to obtain prior approval when accessing appropriate out-of-network providers when in-network providers are unavailable. The cost-sharing for out-of-network will be in amount equal to cost-sharing affected members would have paid for the provision of that service in-network. A replacement copy of the certificate will be provided upon request by the certificate holder. Affected members should contact Aflac Benefit Solutions (formerly Argus Dental and Vision) at 855-819-1873, Option 1, for assistance.


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How to Find Out If You’re a Life Insurance Beneficiary

Life insurance can be an incredible way to provide your loved ones with financial protection. However, policyholders may forget to notify loved ones of their beneficiary status. As a result, you may not realize you’re entitled to claim a death benefit payout after the policyholder passes away. This article will explain how life insurance and beneficiaries work, how to see if you’re a beneficiary, and discuss what happens if a policyholder doesn’t name any beneficiaries.

4 Min Read

How life insurance works

Life insurance is a contract where a policyholder pays monthly or yearly premiums, and, in exchange, the insurer promises to pay a death benefit to the policyholder’s beneficiaries.1 This death benefit can be used for many purposes, such as replacing your income, paying off debts, funding children’s college, and saving for emergencies.

Term life insurance policies typically last for a fixed period of 10 to 30 years, meaning you may outlive your policy. However, premiums are low relative to the coverage offered. Permanent life insurance policies, such as whole life insurance, often also have a cash value growth component that is funded by premiums and grows tax-deferred. You can usually borrow against or withdraw from this policy when it grows large enough.

How life insurance beneficiaries work

Life insurance beneficiaries are the individuals or organizations that you can designate to receive the death benefit payout when you pass away. You can name individuals, such as loved ones, or certain charities and trusts as beneficiaries. You can also name one or more beneficiaries.

Additionally, policyholders can name contingent beneficiaries. These are backup beneficiaries that can receive the death benefit if the primary beneficiaries become unable to do so, such as if they pass away.1

How to find out if you’ve been named a beneficiary

Here’s how to find out if you’re a beneficiary on a life insurance policy:

Talk to your loved one while they’re still alive

The easiest way to learn if you are a life insurance beneficiary is to talk to the policyholder if they are still alive. They can tell you whether you’re a beneficiary and provide information necessary to claim the death benefit when they pass away.

Look through financial documents

If the policyholder passes away before you can ask them, they may have left policy information in paperwork, such as:

  • Wills
  • Trusts
  • Bank statements

Contact the life insurance company

If you believe you’re a beneficiary and know which life insurance company your loved one held their policy with, contact the insurer. You may need the following information:

  • Policyholder’s name and date of birth
  • Policyholder’s date of passing
  • Policy number
  • Your full name and relationship to the policyholder
  • Proof of identity

Use a life insurance policy locator

Life insurance policy locator services help potential beneficiaries track down lost policies and find out who the beneficiaries are. Start with the Life Insurance Policy Locator from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).2 This is the most well-known policy locator and is recommended by many state governments.

Check with the policyholder’s state

Each state’s government maintains an unclaimed property division for unclaimed property, including life insurance death benefits. The policyholder’s state’s unclaimed property division might possess the death benefit payout if the policyholder didn’t designate beneficiaries. If this is the case, it’s wise to contact their state.

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What to do if you’re a life insurance beneficiary

Once you confirm that you’re a life insurance beneficiary, here’s how you can file a claim to get your death benefit:

1. Contact the insurance company: Reach out to the insurer and inform them that the policyholder has passed away. The insurer will tell you how to file a claim and what documentation you’ll need.
2. Gather documentation: Follow the insurer's instructions regarding documentation. That may include a copy of their death certificate and other information to confirm the identity of yourself and the policyholder.
3. File the claim: Submit your claim to the insurer with your documentation. Follow all instructions carefully to minimize errors and the chance of being denied.
4. Receive the death benefit: If the insurer approves your claim, they will pay you the death benefit amount. The amount you receive and how you receive it, such as installments or a lump sum, may vary by policy type and coverage amount.

Death benefits are generally tax-free regarding income taxes. Therefore, you may not owe taxes on the amount you receive. However, speaking with a financial advisor when you receive any type of windfall, such as a death benefit, is always a good idea.

What happens if a life insurance policy has no beneficiary?

Naming beneficiaries is vital to ensuring a life insurance policy pays out according to the policyholder’s wishes. Otherwise, the policyholder’s estate may receive the death benefit. If the policyholder has a will, this may determine how assets are distributed. However, the death benefit payout may have to go through a probate process, which can be costly and take a long time. This may leave the estate and heirs with less money.

Get a life insurance quote

Taking steps to find out if you’re a beneficiary before a policyholder passes away can be extremely helpful. But luckily, there are still ways to find out after the policyholder’s passing. Following the steps above can help you learn if you’re a beneficiary and, if you are, claim your death benefit proceeds to create financial security for yourself and your family.

Getting your own life insurance policy can help you further protect your loved ones and meet your financial goals. Contact an agent today to learn more about Aflac’s life insurance policies.

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Learn more about Aflac products for Individuals & Families: