Whose responsibility is it to notify the insurance company about a death claim promptly?

The responsibility to notify the insurance company about a death claim promptly typically falls to the individual or entity that has the closest relationship to the deceased and the claim. While it may seem logical to attribute this duty to the insurance agent or producer, the agent's role is primarily to facilitate the process rather than to initiate claims on behalf of others.

In the case of death claims, the family of the insured or the designated beneficiary usually has the most direct incentive and knowledge regarding the claim process. Although producers are involved in selling and managing the policies, it is normally the beneficiary or family who must bring the claim to the attention of the insurance company, as they are usually the ones most affected by the loss and have the appropriate documentation, like a death certificate, necessary to properly file the claim.

In practice, the beneficiary typically takes the lead in notifying the insurance company because they have a vested interest in the outcome of the claim, while the agent or producer would be available to assist and provide guidance during the claims process.