GITNUXREPORT 2025

Life Insurance Claims Statistics

Life insurance claims surged globally, with increased digital, natural, and accidental causes.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Approximately 37% of life insurance claims are filed due to natural causes

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Claims related to accidental death account for about 10% of total life insurance claims worldwide

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The most common reason for life insurance claim rejection is misstatement of age or identity

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Women submit around 40% of life insurance claims globally

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In the US, about 4% of life insurance claims are contested or require legal resolution

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The claim rejection rate for life insurance is roughly 2%, mainly due to non-disclosure

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The top three causes of death resulting in life insurance claims are heart disease, cancer, and respiratory diseases

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Life insurance claims due to COVID-19 increased by 25% globally in 2022

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About 15% of life insurance claims are filed within the first year of policy issuance

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The number of life insurance claims filed after natural disasters increased by 18% in 2023

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About 45% of claimants initiate the claim process online

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Insurance claims due to suicide make up approximately 5% of total life insurance claims worldwide

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Claims of policies issued to individuals aged 18-30 are about 20% higher than those issued to older demographics

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The proportion of denied life insurance claims due to fraudulent claims is roughly 4%

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In China, life insurance claims increased by 12% in 2023, driven by rising health concerns

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The number of life insurance claims made due to terminal illness doubled from 2018 to 2022

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Claims related to exposure to environmental hazards accounted for 3% of total life insurance claims in 2023

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Life insurance claims due to traffic accidents increased by 9% globally in 2023

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Policyholders with critical illness riders are 35% more likely to file a claim

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The most common period for filing life insurance claims is within the first six months after death, about 60% of cases

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Claims from policies issued through online brokers constitute approximately 50% of all claims filed

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Approximately 10-15% of life insurance claims involve dispute or additional verification

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The claim rejection rate for policies issued to high-risk occupations is about 5-8%, depending on the occupation

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In Japan, life insurance claims increased by 4% in 2023, partially due to an aging population

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The share of life insurance claims paid through digital channels increased to 65% in 2023, up from 45% in 2020

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People with healthier lifestyles have 20% fewer claims on average, according to recent studies

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The highest number of life insurance claims are filed in the first quarter of the year, accounting for 30% of annual claims

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In 2022, the total life insurance claims paid in the United States exceeded $100 billion

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The average life insurance claim payout in the UK was £34,000 in 2022

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In India, life insurance claim settlement ratio increased to 96% in FY 2022-23

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The average time to settle a life insurance claim is approximately 6 months in most markets

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In Canada, the average life insurance claim payout was CAD 58,000 in 2022

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The average payout for accidental death claims is roughly 30% higher than non-accidental death claims

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About 25% of life insurance claims are paid out within 3 months of filing

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In South Africa, the average life insurance claim payout was ZAR 250,000 in 2022

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The percentage of life insurance claims resulting in partial payouts rather than full payouts is about 15%

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The typical claim payout process involves an investigation period averaging 30 days before approval

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In Germany, the average life insurance claim payout was €45,000 in 2022

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Around 60% of life insurance beneficiaries are unexpected survivors who receive the claim payout

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In Australia, the average life insurance claim takes about 7 months to process

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The majority of life insurance claimants are spouses or children, accounting for over 70% of cases

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The majority of life insurance claims involve policyholders under the age of 65, accounting for approximately 80%

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The most common age for filing a life insurance claim is between 50 and 60 years old, accounting for 35% of claims

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The ratio of life insurance claims filed by men to women is approximately 60:40 globally

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The average age of policyholders filing claims is 54 years

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Claim payouts are higher for term life policies in urban areas compared to rural areas

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Key Highlights

In 2022, the total life insurance claims paid in the United States exceeded $100 billion
Approximately 37% of life insurance claims are filed due to natural causes
Around 60% of life insurance beneficiaries are unexpected survivors who receive the claim payout
The average life insurance claim payout in the UK was £34,000 in 2022
Claims related to accidental death account for about 10% of total life insurance claims worldwide
In India, life insurance claim settlement ratio increased to 96% in FY 2022-23
The most common reason for life insurance claim rejection is misstatement of age or identity
Women submit around 40% of life insurance claims globally
The average time to settle a life insurance claim is approximately 6 months in most markets
In the US, about 4% of life insurance claims are contested or require legal resolution
The claim rejection rate for life insurance is roughly 2%, mainly due to non-disclosure
The top three causes of death resulting in life insurance claims are heart disease, cancer, and respiratory diseases
Life insurance claims due to COVID-19 increased by 25% globally in 2022

Did you know that in 2022, the United States paid over $100 billion in life insurance claims, revealing surprising trends from global claim patterns and payout insights that could impact your understanding of this vital financial safety net?

Claim Patterns and Causes

Approximately 37% of life insurance claims are filed due to natural causes
Claims related to accidental death account for about 10% of total life insurance claims worldwide
The most common reason for life insurance claim rejection is misstatement of age or identity
Women submit around 40% of life insurance claims globally
In the US, about 4% of life insurance claims are contested or require legal resolution
The claim rejection rate for life insurance is roughly 2%, mainly due to non-disclosure
The top three causes of death resulting in life insurance claims are heart disease, cancer, and respiratory diseases
Life insurance claims due to COVID-19 increased by 25% globally in 2022
About 15% of life insurance claims are filed within the first year of policy issuance
The number of life insurance claims filed after natural disasters increased by 18% in 2023
About 45% of claimants initiate the claim process online
Insurance claims due to suicide make up approximately 5% of total life insurance claims worldwide
Claims of policies issued to individuals aged 18-30 are about 20% higher than those issued to older demographics
The proportion of denied life insurance claims due to fraudulent claims is roughly 4%
In China, life insurance claims increased by 12% in 2023, driven by rising health concerns
The number of life insurance claims made due to terminal illness doubled from 2018 to 2022
Claims related to exposure to environmental hazards accounted for 3% of total life insurance claims in 2023
Life insurance claims due to traffic accidents increased by 9% globally in 2023
Policyholders with critical illness riders are 35% more likely to file a claim
The most common period for filing life insurance claims is within the first six months after death, about 60% of cases
Claims from policies issued through online brokers constitute approximately 50% of all claims filed
Approximately 10-15% of life insurance claims involve dispute or additional verification
The claim rejection rate for policies issued to high-risk occupations is about 5-8%, depending on the occupation
In Japan, life insurance claims increased by 4% in 2023, partially due to an aging population
The share of life insurance claims paid through digital channels increased to 65% in 2023, up from 45% in 2020
People with healthier lifestyles have 20% fewer claims on average, according to recent studies
The highest number of life insurance claims are filed in the first quarter of the year, accounting for 30% of annual claims

Claim Patterns and Causes Interpretation

As the global landscape of life insurance claims reveals trends from natural causes to pandemic surges and digital breakthroughs, it becomes clear that while misstatements and fraud remain minor hurdles, demographic shifts and health crises are the true drivers in a market that is increasingly online, age-aware, and pandemic-proof.

Claim Payouts and Settlement Processes

In 2022, the total life insurance claims paid in the United States exceeded $100 billion
The average life insurance claim payout in the UK was £34,000 in 2022
In India, life insurance claim settlement ratio increased to 96% in FY 2022-23
The average time to settle a life insurance claim is approximately 6 months in most markets
In Canada, the average life insurance claim payout was CAD 58,000 in 2022
The average payout for accidental death claims is roughly 30% higher than non-accidental death claims
About 25% of life insurance claims are paid out within 3 months of filing
In South Africa, the average life insurance claim payout was ZAR 250,000 in 2022
The percentage of life insurance claims resulting in partial payouts rather than full payouts is about 15%
The typical claim payout process involves an investigation period averaging 30 days before approval
In Germany, the average life insurance claim payout was €45,000 in 2022

Claim Payouts and Settlement Processes Interpretation

While over $100 billion was paid out across the U.S. alone in 2022, the global landscape reveals a delicate balance of swift payouts, regional nuances, and the crucial yet painstaking process of turning claims into financial relief—reminding us that behind every statistic is a story of hope and claimants seeking peace of mind.

Claims Related to Specific Events and Risks

Around 60% of life insurance beneficiaries are unexpected survivors who receive the claim payout
In Australia, the average life insurance claim takes about 7 months to process

Claims Related to Specific Events and Risks Interpretation

While the majority of life insurance beneficiaries are surprising survivors cashing in unexpectedly, Australians brace for nearly three-quarters of a year to see their claims—proof that life’s surprises can take time, even in insurance.

Demographics and Policyholder Information

The majority of life insurance claimants are spouses or children, accounting for over 70% of cases
The majority of life insurance claims involve policyholders under the age of 65, accounting for approximately 80%
The most common age for filing a life insurance claim is between 50 and 60 years old, accounting for 35% of claims
The ratio of life insurance claims filed by men to women is approximately 60:40 globally
The average age of policyholders filing claims is 54 years

Demographics and Policyholder Information Interpretation

With most claims originating from parents, spouses, and those under 65, this data underscores how life insurance becomes a crucial safety net primarily for the young and middle-aged, often reflecting the harsh reality that life's unpredictability spares no one—especially those in their prime years.

Regional and Market-Specific Trends

Claim payouts are higher for term life policies in urban areas compared to rural areas

Regional and Market-Specific Trends Interpretation

The urban advantage in life insurance claim payouts underscores the disparities in risk exposure and economic resources, reminding us that city living, while bustling, often comes with a higher price tag on security.