How to Notify New York Life of a Death
Online or phone. File a claim online ("Report a death") or by calling 1-800-CALL-NYL.
What New York Life requires
Report a death online
Starts the claim process before any documents are required.
Claim number
If you already received a letter with a claim number, register to access your claim online.
A letter you can send New York Life today
Fill these in and the letter below becomes yours — dated today, ready to print and send. Nothing is saved and you don't need an account.
Your letter asks what the institution requires. It won't claim you're authorised to act for the estate — only a court appointment gives you that, and saying so without one can hold up the process.
New York Life Re: Life Insurance Claim — Insured: Robert J. Sample Dear Claims Department, I am writing to initiate a life insurance claim on the above-referenced policy. The insured, Robert J. Sample, has passed away. I, [Your Name], am writing regarding the estate of Robert J. Sample, to ask what your institution requires in order to proceed. I respectfully request the following: 1. Please send me the required claim forms and a complete list of documents needed to process this claim. 2. Please confirm the current status and details of the policy. 3. Please advise of any deadlines or time-sensitive requirements. Enclosed please find a certified copy of the death certificate for your records. I can be reached at the contact information below. Thank you for your assistance during this difficult time. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Address] [Your Phone] [Your Email] Enclosures: - Certified Death Certificate - Government-issued Identification
Fill in the bracketed lines under your signature before you send it, so New York Life can reach you.
Most estates need this same letter for eight or nine institutions, not just New York Life. Estate Assist finds them and drafts a letter for each.
Draft the rest of my letters →Can't find an account login? Check a password manager app like LastPass, 1Password, Bitwarden, or Dashlane — many people store their logins there. Look for a small colored icon in the browser toolbar or on the phone's home screen. You'll need the master password to unlock it — never share that with anyone claiming to need it for notification purposes.
New York Life death notification FAQ
How do I notify New York Life of a death?
Online or phone. File a claim online ("Report a death") or by calling 1-800-CALL-NYL.
What documents does New York Life require?
Report a death online — Starts the claim process before any documents are required. Claim number — If you already received a letter with a claim number, register to access your claim online.
What if my loved one had other accounts besides New York Life?
Every institution has its own process and required documents. Estate Assist reads the estate's documents, identifies every institution to notify, and drafts a personalized letter for each one automatically.
Other institutions
Checked against New York Life's official website on July 18, 2026. Requirements, contact info, and processes change — confirm current requirements with New York Life's official page before relying on this guide. Estate Assist provides general information, not legal advice.