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How to claim a death benefit

My wife was named the sole beneficiary on her grandmother's life insurance policy. At this time, they are talking about her appearing in person to claim the death benefit. It's an amount worth going to claim. We currently live in Los Angeles, CA and--as should be obvious since I'm writing on PBH--she's originally from Colombia. I botched her AOS paperwork and she doesn't have a permanent resident card yet or a travel document. So far the best idea we have is to hold on till the card comes through and then go to Colombia to make the claim. After all, the grandma died in 2001. If the insurance company has waited this long to track my wife down and make the payout, they can wait another few months for DHS to issue her permanent resident card. Does anyone have any other ideas we might consider?

By cam0940 on Dec 12, 2006, 20:28 in Friendly Talkzone.

cam0940 says on Dec 12, 2006, 20:33:

BTW, some of you who have seen some of my posts over the last year or so might consider this "poetic justice". I mean, I chipped in during some tough times the family was having. If we can collect this death benefit, it will more than repay what I've shelled out. So it's cool. I want to go get the money.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

goin_south says on Dec 20, 2006, 23:11:

cam, it just seems so contradictory: Death.
Benefit?

Where do we go from here?

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goin_south says on Dec 20, 2006, 23:12:

almost like the previous post: snow.
in Florida.

Where do we go from here?

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goin_south says on Dec 20, 2006, 23:13:

Okay. I get it. It's where they came up with that phrase: "Better off Dead". lol

Where do we go from here?

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jay1234 says on Dec 21, 2006, 18:01:

Just thinking outside the box Why in the world does she need to show in person at that location? If it is an international insurer (or even if not), can you contact them to arrange a payout here or in a different location?

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Colombian Services says on Dec 21, 2006, 18:20:

Hey Cam If you don't receive any solid advice let me know, I'll get some good legal advice for you next week.

Some people don't know how difficult it can be getting things done down here, I was told those receiving a pension have to go to the notary each month to prove they are still alive, so trying to collect outside of Colombia may be a little difficult.

Happy holidays!

Best Wishes,
Bob
*********************
Miami Phone: 1-305-433-2299
Colombian Services Group:
www.Colombian-Services.com
www.FlowersToColombia.com
www.BogotaColombiaLodging.com

Bob - www.BogotaColombiaLodging.com - www.FlowersToColombia.com - www.Colombian-Services.com

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jay1234 says on Dec 22, 2006, 09:51:

For a small fee... I can solve all your problems. Please make the check out to "Cash." Will be happy to get back to you sometime in the next thousand years... All joking aside, I would contact the insurer. I can't imagine there is any requirement for a beneficiary to appear in any specified place (the insurance contract would read : "in the event of my death, to be paid to Mrs. Cam only in Colombia."(?) That makes no sense to me, though I could be wrong. I also can't believe that personal presence is a requirement. Why wouldn't a deposit into a named bank account work? What if the beneficiary were ill, unable to move, but still alive? No payout? No, that makes no sense, either. I would think that worse case a Colombian attorney should be able to assist in securing the payout( I am gueesing that is cheaper/less hassle than personal appearnce, but that may not be so). Good luck.

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