Life Insurance Guide

The Sunset API helps you track and manage life insurance policies discovered during estate settlement. This guide covers the typical workflow from discovery through claim payout.

API Path

/cases/{case_id}/life-insurance
/cases/{case_id}/life-insurance/{policy_id}

Typical Workflow

1. Add discovered policies

As life insurance policies are found through searches, mail, or employer records, add them to the case:

curl -X POST "https://api.example.com/v1/cases/{case_id}/life-insurance" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "policy_type": "whole_life",
    "carrier_name": "Northwestern Mutual",
    "policy_number": "WL-9876543",
    "status": "active",
    "death_benefit": 250000.00,
    "cash_value": 45000.00,
    "beneficiaries": [
      {
        "name": "John Jonas Johnson",
        "relationship": "son",
        "percentage_share": 100,
        "designation": "primary",
        "is_irrevocable": false
      }
    ]
  }'

2. Record employer group policies

Don’t forget employer-provided coverage:

curl -X POST "https://api.example.com/v1/cases/{case_id}/life-insurance" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "policy_type": "group_employer",
    "carrier_name": "MetLife",
    "employer_name": "Acme Corporation",
    "status": "active",
    "death_benefit": 150000.00
  }'

3. File and track claims

Update the policy as claims progress:

curl -X PATCH "https://api.example.com/v1/cases/{case_id}/life-insurance/{policy_id}" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "claim_status": "filed",
    "claim_filed_date": "2025-10-15"
  }'

4. Record claim payouts

When a claim is paid:

curl -X PATCH "https://api.example.com/v1/cases/{case_id}/life-insurance/{policy_id}" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "claim_status": "paid",
    "claim_paid_date": "2025-11-20",
    "claim_paid_amount": 250000.00,
    "status": "paid_out"
  }'

Policy Types

Type	Description
`term_life`	Term life insurance (fixed period)
`whole_life`	Whole life with cash value
`universal_life`	Flexible premium universal life
`variable_life`	Variable life with investment component
`group_employer`	Employer-provided group coverage
`group_government`	Government group coverage (FEGLI, SGLI)
`supplemental`	Supplemental/voluntary life
`accidental_death`	AD&D policy
`annuity_with_death_benefit`	Annuity with death benefit rider

Claim Statuses

Status	Description
`not_filed`	Claim has not been filed yet
`filed`	Claim submitted to carrier
`under_review`	Carrier is reviewing the claim
`approved`	Claim approved, awaiting payment
`paid`	Claim has been paid out
`denied`	Claim was denied

Key Considerations

Beneficiary designations on life insurance policies override the will. Policies pay directly to named beneficiaries.
Irrevocable beneficiaries cannot be changed and must be paid as designated.
Group policies through employers may have short claim windows after termination of employment.
Cash value in whole/universal life policies is a separate asset from the death benefit.
Premium status should be monitored to prevent policies from lapsing before claims are filed.

Getting Started

Guides

Life Insurance Guide

Life Insurance Guide

API Path

Typical Workflow

1. Add discovered policies

2. Record employer group policies

3. File and track claims

4. Record claim payouts

Policy Types

Claim Statuses

Key Considerations

​Life Insurance Guide

​API Path

​Typical Workflow

​1. Add discovered policies

​2. Record employer group policies

​3. File and track claims

​4. Record claim payouts

​Policy Types

​Claim Statuses

​Key Considerations

Life Insurance Guide

API Path

Typical Workflow

1. Add discovered policies

2. Record employer group policies

3. File and track claims

4. Record claim payouts

Policy Types

Claim Statuses

Key Considerations