How to file an insurance claim with Sunlife Philippines
You can file a claim by notifying Sunlife through the Claim Notification Form, then submitting the required documents to your Financial Advisor or the nearest Client Service Center.
Step 1: Notify Sunlife about your claim
Start by telling Sunlife about your claim. The quickest way is the online form.
- .Click the Claim Notification Form
- Type the requested information.
- When all fields are complete, click Submit
You may also notify us in any of these ws:
- Contacting your Financial Advisor.
- Visiting our nearest Client Service Center.
- Call SUNLINK Client Care at (+632) 8849-9888. Calls from outside the Philippines may cost extra. Outside Metro Manila, call toll-free on a PLDT line at 1-800-10-SUNLIFE (7865433). Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- Mail your notice to Claims Services, Sun Life of Canada (Phils.), Inc., 2/F Sun Life Centre, 5th Avenue corner Rizal Drive, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Philippines 1634.
Step 2: Know the requirements
Next, find out which documents your claim needs. Read these reminders before you prepare anything.
Important reminders
- Submit certified true copies only. Plain photocopies are rejected, except for ID cards if you present the original copies for verification.
- Documents you send to Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc. (SLOCPI) will not be returned.
- Always attach a photocopy of the claimant's valid ID. Any government-issued ID with a photo and signature works.
- Always attach a photocopy of the claimant's valid ID (any government-issued ID with photo and signature) with the basic claim requirements.
- If someone represents the claimant or beneficiary, that person must submit an authorization letter from the claimant or beneficiary, two valid government-issued IDs of the claimant or beneficiary, and two valid government-issued IDs of the representative.
- Claims filed within 2 years from the date of policy issuance or last reinstatement are contestable and require extra processing time.
- Beneficiaries below 18 are considered minors and must be represented by their legal guardian. Sun Life strictly follows Philippine laws on minors, estates and disqualified beneficiaries.
- For Living Benefits claims, check your policy contract for the covered illnesses and their definitions.
- We may ask for more documents after we review what you sent.
- Find the form and checklist for your claim in Claim forms and checklists below.
Step 3: Submit the requirements
Once your claim requirements are ready, submit them to either of these:
- Your Financial Advisor
- The nearest Client Service Center
Claim forms and checklists
1. Claims on life insurance policies and insurance riders on pre-need plans (education and pension)
Forms
- Affidavit of Guardianship (Father as Guardian – default)
- Affidavit of Guardianship (Mother as Guardian – in the absence or incapacity of the Father)
- Affidavit of Guardianship (Other Relative as Guardian – in the absence or incapacity of both the Father and Mother)
- Authorization Form - Claims
- Death Benefit Attending Physician’s Statement
- Death Benefit Claim Form
- Employer’s Statement
- Living Benefit Attending Physician’s Statement (applicable to all living benefit types)
- Living Benefit Claim Form (also known as Claimant’s Statement; applicable to all living benefit types)
- Request Form - Currency Conversion and/or Bank Deposit
Checklists
- Accidental Dismemberment and Disablement Benefit
- Critical Condition & Critical Illness Benefit
- Death Benefit (Individual Life Insurance)
- Death Benefit (Pre-need Plans)
- Female Critical Illness and Maternity Benefits
- Hospital Income Benefit
- Living Benefit Rider – applicable to Individual Life Insurance only
- Living Benefit (Pre-need Plans)
- Sun Senior Care
- Waiver of Premium due to Disability – applies to Total Disability Benefit, Advance Payment on Disability Benefit, Premium Coverage During Total Disability of Initial Owner, or Contingent Semestral Education and Premium Coverage
Checklist
The forms and checklists are also available at the following channels:
- Advisor’s Home Office
- Nearest Client Service Center
Frequently asked questions
1. What happens if my primary beneficiary dies?
It depends on who died first, and on how many primary beneficiaries there are. If there is one primary beneficiary who dies ahead of the insured, the death claim proceeds are paid to the contingent beneficiaries. If the insured dies first and the primary beneficiary then dies before the claim is settled, the proceeds go to the estate of the primary beneficiary.
If there are two or more primary beneficiaries and one of them dies ahead of the insured, the proceeds are paid to the surviving primary beneficiaries. If all of them die ahead of the insured, the proceeds are paid to the contingent beneficiaries.
2. What if there is no contingent beneficiary?
The death claim proceeds go to the estate of the insured.
3. What are the rights of contingent beneficiaries?
Contingent beneficiaries who are still living can receive the death claim proceeds only when all the primary beneficiaries have died ahead of the life insured.
4. What do I submit if my spouse is my beneficiary?
On top of the basic requirements, submit your Marriage Contract issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) or the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
5. What if we are not married?
If both parties are not married and have no legal impediment to marry, submit two things on top of the basic requirements: an Affidavit of No Legal Impediment to Marry and a Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) for both parties from the NSO or PSA. No legal impediment means both parties are single with no legal impediment to marry at time of designation.
6. What happens if there is a legal impediment to marry?
Philippine law prevents some people from being named as a beneficiary. If the common-law spouse is the only primary death beneficiary, the proceeds are paid to the contingent beneficiary. If there is no contingent beneficiary, the proceeds go to the estate of the insured. If there are two or more primary death beneficiaries, the proceeds are shared among the other primary beneficiaries.
These are the provisions this rule comes from:
- Civil Code Art. 739. "Donation is void if it is made between people guilty of adultery/concubinage at time of donation, between people guilty of criminal offense and to a public officer and his family by reason of his office."
- Civil Code Art. 2012. "Any person who is forbidden from receiving any donation under article 739 cannot be named beneficiary of a life insurance policy by the person who cannot make any donation to him, according to said article."
7. My marriage was annulled after the policy was issued. Can my spouse still receive the proceeds?
Yes. If the policyowner-insured did not change the beneficiary designation before death, the share of the designated spouse-beneficiary is still payable once the claim requirements are complete. This is because the marriage was still valid at the time the spouse was designated as a beneficiary.
8. What do I submit if the beneficiaries are "children borne of this marriage"?
On top of the basic requirements, submit an affidavit stating the name, number and birth dates of the children borne of the marriage between the spouses, and a certified true copy of each child's Birth Certificate.
9. What if a beneficiary is a minor?
Beneficiaries below age 18 are minors and must be represented by their legal guardian. Refer to the Guidelines on Guardianship Proceedings for Minors.
10. What happens when the claim proceeds become payable to the estate?
When claim proceeds become payable to the estate, you should follow the procedures provided by law. Refer to the Guidelines on Settlement of Estates.
11. Who owns the policy after the original owner dies?
Ownership automatically transfers to the life insured once the initial owner dies, whether or not there is an irrevocable beneficiary. This applies both to juvenile policies, which are issued on the life of a minor, and to adult policies, which are issued on the life of an adult and bought by another adult. For a juvenile policy, the minor owner must still deal through a guardian for any policy transaction, such as applying for an advance or changing the beneficiaries.
12. How do I request a transfer of ownership?
If the policy has an in-force Premium Coverage Upon Death or Disability of Initial Owner attached to it (WPDD, WPD, or CSEPC for Sun Heritage Plans), you do not need to request the transfer. Because a claim for these benefits will be filed, Claims Services will pass the transfer on to the Policy and Plan Change Section once it receives a certified true copy of the initial owner's Death Certificate.
If the policy does not have that coverage in force, send a certified true copy of the Death Certificate to the Policy and Plan Change Section so the transfer of ownership can be processed.
Important note: Sunlife issued the Guidelines on Guardianship Proceedings for Minors, Incompetents and Settlement of Estates only as a general tool to help claimants. These guidelines are not legal advice. Claimants are advised and encouraged to seek their own legal advice.
What will happen if the primary beneficiary dies?
A. If there is one (1) primary beneficiary
If the primary beneficiary pre-deceases (dies ahead of) the insured, the death claim proceeds shall be paid to the Contingent beneficiary/ies. a. What if there is no contingent beneficiary? The death claim proceeds shall vest on the estate of the insured. (See “Guidelines on Settlement of Estates”) If the life insured pre-deceases the primary beneficiary and then subsequently the primary beneficiary dies before the claim is settled, the death claim proceeds shall vest on the estate of the primary beneficiary.
B. If there are two (2) or more primary beneficiaries
If one (1) primary beneficiary pre-deceases the insured, proceeds shall be paid to the surviving primary beneficiary/ies. If all the primary beneficiaries pre-decease the insured, proceeds shall be paid to the contingent beneficiary/ies. a. What if there is no contingent beneficiary? The death claim proceeds shall vest on the estate of the insured upon the insured’s death. If the life insured pre-deceases the primary beneficiaries and subsequently one or some of the primary beneficiaries die before the death claim is settled, the proceeds shall be paid to the surviving primary beneficiary/ies and to the estate of the deceased primary beneficiary/ies. If the life insured pre-deceases all the primary beneficiaries and subsequently all of the primary beneficiaries die before the death claim is settled, proceeds shall vest on the estates of all the primary beneficiaries.
C. What are the rights of the contingent beneficiaries?
Contingent beneficiaries, if living, are entitled to receive the death claim proceeds only when all the primary beneficiaries had died ahead of the life insured.