AXA Launches Beneficiary Web Resources

AXA said the Beneficiary Resource Center offers the forms, tools, and guidance for beneficiaries and financial professionals to quickly and easily file a life insurance or annuity claim. The site also serves as a portal for information, checklists, and contacts to support beneficiaries through what can be an overwhelming period and to help them prepare for the next stage in their lives, according to a press release.

Integrated throughout the site visitors can find customer service contacts by product type and a list of offices by region, so that beneficiaries that require additional assistance or advice know who to call. Or, visitors can submit online requests for follow-up contact from a local financial adviser.

The site, located at www.axa-equitable.com/beneficiary, features four sections arranged at each stage following a loss, according to the release:

• Filing a claim: Here beneficiaries are guided on how to choose the correct claim form and gather additional documentation, if required, for their particular situation. Beneficiaries can download claim forms to complete, print and save online, at their convenience. They can also find answers to frequently asked questions about life insurance and annuities.
• What to do after a loss: Arranged according to stages of need—from the first few days following a loss through the first year—this section offers checklists, notification letter templates and general guidance to help beneficiaries prioritize and keep track of the many legal and personal issues that will need their attention, from contacting creditors and Social Security and changing names on joint property to establishing or reviewing their financial plans.
• The family love letter: Here beneficiaries can download and personalize a “family love letter,” a powerful estate planning tool that covers crucial issues beyond a will, such as establishing a guardian for children, declaring wishes regarding medical treatment and compiling financial and legal documents, contact information, and account access details. The family love letter is designed to help people avoid future confusion by organizing their thoughts, wishes, and assets, for the sake of those they care about most.
• Additional resources: AXA said that because some beneficiaries may be embarking on a new chapter in life, the site also provides links to interactive calculators and useful Web sites, such as Idealist.org, Parentswithoutpartners.org, and MyRetirementShop.com.