How do I report a death to a life insurer in Germany?
In short
Call or write to the life insurer as soon as you know of the death; section 30 VVG requires notice without undue delay. For the first report, the name and date of birth of the deceased, the date of death and the policy number are enough. The death certificate (Sterbeurkunde), the doctor's statement on the cause of death and the policy document follow later. A death certificate costs about EUR 12.
What the documents for the report cost in Germany, as of 2026.
Example
Typical range
Official death certificate from the registry office
about EUR 12 per copy
Certificate of inheritance, estate of EUR 100,000, with sworn statement
around EUR 546
Certificate of inheritance, estate of EUR 250,000, with sworn statement
around EUR 1,070
Immediate help after the death certificate in one tariff
10 percent of the sum, at most EUR 10,000
As of October 2026.
The death certificate fee comes from a registry office fee list,
the certificate of inheritance fees from the German court and notary fees act (GNotKG).
Immediate help exists only in tariffs that provide it.
Worked example
First report by email
This is what the first message to the insurer can look like before all documents are together.
Subject
Death of policyholder, policy number 1234567
Text
I am writing to report the death of Maria Muster, born 3 May 1961, who died on 12 October 2026.
About you
I am her husband and the named beneficiary, phone and address
Request
Please send me the list of documents you need.
With this message the death is reported. Send the death certificate and the statement on the cause of death as soon as you have them.
Who has to report the death
Under section 30 (1) of the German Insurance Contract Act (VVG) the policyholder must report the insured event without undue delay. If a third party is entitled to the benefit, they must report it too. For life insurance this means: if the deceased was the policyholder, the heirs report. If someone else is the named beneficiary (Bezugsberechtigter), they report themselves.
In practice one report is enough. If the insurer learned of the death in time some other way, it may not rely on a missed report, section 30 (2) VVG.
How to make the first report
A phone call, an email or a short letter is enough. Many insurers have a form in their customer portal. Give the name and date of birth of the deceased, the date of death, the policy number, your name, your relationship to the deceased and how to reach you.
Do not wait until you have all the papers. The insurer then sends you a list of what it needs and often a claim form. Note the date and time of your call or keep the email.
Document
Where to get it
Official death certificate (Sterbeurkunde)
registry office (Standesamt) where the death occurred, about EUR 12
Statement on the cause of death
treating doctor or hospital
Policy document (Versicherungsschein)
papers of the deceased, a declaration if lost
Certificate of inheritance (Erbschein)
probate court, only if no beneficiary is named
ID and bank details
of the person receiving the money
Finding the policy in the first place
Relatives often do not know where the deceased was insured. Good clues are bank statements with regular direct debits, annual statements in the post, tax returns listing pension and insurance contributions, and papers from a bank that granted a loan.
If you only know the insurer but not the policy number, report the death anyway with the name, date of birth and address. The insurer can match the policy.
Accidental death needs speed
If there is accidental death cover or a separate accident insurance, act fast. Policy terms ask for a report within 48 hours if possible, because the insurer may request a post mortem. Report an accidental death the same or next day; documents can follow.
What happens after the report
The insurer checks the death and its duty to pay. Payment is due once that check is complete, section 14 VVG. If it is not finished one month after the report, you can ask for an advance payment. Some tariffs pay part straight away on receipt of the death certificate, for example 10 percent of the sum, at most EUR 10,000, if the policy ran for at least three years.
Under usual terms the person claiming the benefit pays for the documents. With a named beneficiary that is usually just the death certificate; without one, a certificate of inheritance is needed, which costs several hundred euros depending on the estate.
When you need not worry
There is no cut off of a few days for life insurance. Reporting a few weeks after the funeral does not cost you the claim, as long as the insurer can still check the case. Only for accidental death and extra covers does every day count.
Step by step
Find the policy number and the name of the insurer.
Call or write to the insurer and report the death.
Order death certificates from the registry office, several copies at once.
Ask the doctor or hospital for a statement on the cause of death.
Look for the policy document; if lost, submit a declaration of loss.
Without a named beneficiary, apply for a certificate of inheritance.
Checklist
Report documented with the date
Several death certificates ordered
Cause of death certified by a doctor
Policy document or declaration of loss ready
Bank details of the entitled person provided
Common mistakes
Waiting to report until all documents are complete
Reporting an accidental death only weeks later
Sending the original policy document without keeping a copy
Reporting only one policy although there are several
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
How quickly must I report the death?
Without undue delay.
The law sets no fixed number of days, but for accidental death aim for 48 hours.
Can I report by phone?
Yes.
Note the date, time and the person you spoke to, or confirm the call briefly by email.
Do I have to report if I am not an heir?
If you are the named beneficiary, yes.
The beneficiary right is separate from the inheritance; you have your own claim.
What if I do not know the policy number?
Report with the name, date of birth and address of the deceased.
