Does life insurance cover suicide?

Depending on your life insurance policy, there may be a suicide clause, also known as a 'suicide exclusion clause'. This means that if your death is due to a suicide within a certain period after the policy is taken out, the insurer doesn’t have to pay the death benefit. For most insurers, this exclusion clause applies 12 to 24 months after taking out the policy. 

“Our clause lasts 12 months,” says Jackie Kerwood, Head of Claims Strategy and Governance “so, if a person were to die from suicide or an intentional, self-inflicted injury in this time, they won’t be covered. By having this kind of limitation, as devastating as the situation may be, we hope to lower the financial motivation for someone to take their own life. After the exclusion period, as long as the person is keeping up with the premium payments, life insurance policies will normally cover suicide like any other cause of death.” 

To explore further,  you can also check out what is and isn’t covered with our life insurance.

First, your insurance provider should treat any instance of suicide with care and compassion.

To begin processing the claim, your insurer may ask to see a death certificate or a coroner’s report. And while a coroner may decide the cause of death isn’t suicide, your insurer could investigate the method, timing and any relevant documents or evidence to draw their own conclusions. 

Once your insurer establishes the cause of death as suicide, which in some cases may mean further investigation, they’ll review the terms and conditions of your policy. 

After this point, as long as you’re not in breach of the suicide exclusion clause, the claim is reviewed like any other claim for someone who passed.

How do I get a death certificate?

Step 1: Gather the details 

To get a death certificate, you’ll need to have the person’s: ^{Footnote [1]}  

• full name – make sure to have their legal name and any maiden name (if relevant). 
• basic details – this includes what they did for a living, their address, any previous name, and their NHS number. 
• date and place of death – this means the exact date and place they died. 
• date and place of birth – you’ll need the city and exact date of birth. 
• spouse or civil partner’s details – if they were married or in a civil partnership, you’ll need this person’s full name, what they do for a living, and date of birth. 
• Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) – this is a document, given either by a doctor or the hospital, that certifies the medical cause of death. You’ll need this to register the death and also get the death certificate. ^{Footnote [2]}  
• General Register Office (GRO) index reference number – this is a unique code used by the GRO to find specific (birth, marriage, civil partnership, and death) records in England and Wales. Having this reference number for the death certificate application form means you won’t have to pay extra, for someone in the GRO, to track it down. ^{Footnote [3]}

Step 2: Fill out the form 

You’ll need to fill out the General Register Office (GRO) Death Certificate Application Form, which you can either complete online or send it through by post. “The quickest, easiest and cheapest way to order a certificate,” advises GOV.UK, “ is to go online using the GRO’s secure online ordering service.” ^{Footnote [4]}  
The cost of the certificate depends on what type of form you fill out (online versus paper), when you’d like to receive it (priority versus standard service) and what type you’d like to receive (there are various options). You can find the specific costs on GOV.UK’s guide How to Order and Pay for Civil Registration Records. 

How do I get a coroner’s report?

A coroner is someone appointed by the local council, often lawyers or doctors with a minimum of 5 years’ experience, who are responsible for investigating deaths in certain situations. ^{Footnote [5]}

It’s worth noting that a coroner’s report isn’t necessary for every death. But, in the case of a suicide or unexpected death, there may cause for a post-mortem (or autopsy) followed, potentially, by a coroner’s report. 

To get a coroner’s report, you’ll need to:

1. find the coroner’s office – this doesn’t mean you need to go there physically, but you need to know which office is responsible for the case. Generally, you can find this on the death certificate or reaching out to your local council. 
2. email or write the coroner’s office – to ask for a copy of the full report, send an email or letter that includes the:
   • name of the person who died 
   • exact date of their death 
   • date of the inquest report 
3. check the fees – you may be charged for a full coroner’s report, so make sure to contact their office ahead of time to know how much they’ll charge. 

For more information, check out GOV.UK’s step by step guide on what to do when someone dies.

Yes, in some cases. There may be delays if: 

• the death needs further investigation 
• the medical examiner needs more time to finish their examination 
• law enforcement has further question to investigate

Also, it’s worth remembering that it takes time to pull together all the right documents like the death certificate, coroner’s report, and medical records.

Mental health conditions may affect life insurance claims. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be denied cover, because most insurers will review individual cases, but you: 

1. need to tell your insurer about any mental health conditions during the application process. If you’re not truthful, your policy may be voided or your payments may be reduced if your insurer finds out about the condition.
2. may pay a higher premium, depending on how severe the condition is and whether it affects you often. Insurers calculate risk, based on lots of factors, to figure out how likely it is you'll make a claim. So, if they believe there’s a high chance you’ll claim, your premium price may go up or they could offer you a policy with exclusions. 
3. may see an impact on claim payouts, if the mental health condition is a contributing factor to your death.

“Talking about your mental health,” says Jackie “is understandably a personal and private matter. It may feel overwhelming, but it’s important to share any history of mental health conditions with your insurer without worry of being automatically  dismissed or excluded for cover. Most insurers get that looking after your mental health is important, and they usually see ongoing therapy or counselling as a good thing because it shows you're actively taking care of yourself.”

“Whether you’re experiencing troubling thoughts and feelings or know someone who is,” says Aviva’s Medical and Sustainability Director Dr Suba, “it’s important to find the right support. It could be asking for professional help or talking to a close friend, but what matters is remembering that sometimes a problem shared is a problem halved.”

If you feel that you can’t keep yourself safe, it’s important to call 999 or go to your nearest A&E for help. Sometimes, talking to someone who isn’t a friend or family member may help. Leading mental health charities like Samaritans and Mind make it possible for you to speak with someone if you’re in crisis. Both charities have resources if you’re worried about someone else, too. 

And with our life insurance, you’ll get access to the Aviva DigiCare+ app. This means you’ll have at your fingertips: 

• mental health support from qualified therapists 
• a finger-prick health check to spot any potential problems
• access to your personal nutritionist for healthy eating support
• discounts for gyms and home fitness classes. 

Aviva DigiCare+ is a non-contractual benefit Aviva can change or withdraw at any time. Terms and conditions and residency restrictions apply.

Check out more details about how Aviva DigiCare+ works.

While no policy can ease the pain of losing someone to suicide, understanding how life insurance works in these circumstances can offer a small sense of certainty. And in the face of grief, that clarity paired with the right support, can be a quiet but vital source of strength.