Life insurance

Applying for and managing your policy during the COVID-19 pandemic

Please note: Given the fluid nature of this situation, these questions and responses are reflective of a current point in time and may evolve as necessary. Should you have additional questions or need additional detail, please reach out to your Lincoln sales or service contact.

Applying for life insurance

Is Lincoln accepting new life insurance applications during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Yes. However, to effectively balance the risks associated with the pandemic, temporary guidelines have been put in place which may result in a postponement for certain ages and rate classes. Contact your Financial Professional for details.

Does Lincoln require COVID-19 testing for clients?

No, testing is not required.

If I have been diagnosed with COVID-19, can I apply for life insurance coverage?

Yes. However, Lincoln will postpone any underwriting offer for one month following recovery for clients managed at home (outpatient) and will postpone for 3 months following recovery for clients who required hospitalization, and an Attending Physician’s Statement (APS) will be required.

If I have not been diagnosed with COVID-19 at the time of my application, but test positive prior to policy delivery, am I still eligible for coverage?

If you are infected with COVID-19 after your application was submitted to Lincoln, it must be disclosed on the Declaration of Insurability (DOI) Form that is required for completion upon policy delivery. Lincoln will then determine if we can continue to offer coverage or postpone your policy until you have recovered.

If I have been exposed to COVID-19 during the time in which my life insurance application is pending, will there be an impact to my policy?

If an applicant has had a known exposure to COVID-19, Lincoln should be notified and the case will be postponed for a minimum of 14-days of self-quarantine and the applicant should be exhibiting no symptoms of COVID-19.

Will Lincoln require clients to have the COVID-19 vaccination?

No. We do not ask about immunizations (for any virus/disease) through the application process and have no plans to ask about the COVID-19 vaccine. Therefore, the COVID-19 vaccine is not a factor in the underwriting process.

Based on Lincoln’s Underwriting guidelines as of March 1, 2021 and subject to change.   

Managing my policy

How can I get information and submit a request on my life insurance policy?

We are focused on making it easy to do business with us.

You can access your policy information 24/7 by logging in to your online account.

Our Customer Care Center is here to serve you from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday, at 800-487-1485.

Do you anticipate any change to service offerings if Lincoln Financial Group (Lincoln) employees are affected by COVID-19?

Currently, we do not anticipate any impact to our individual life insurance hours of operation or service processing time.

We have a robust crisis management plan in place and are fully prepared from a business continuity perspective, while keeping the health and safety of our employees as a top priority.

What is Lincoln doing to help customers who are impacted by COVID-19?

Lincoln will continue to comply with states that have issued specific COVID-19 mandates that require non-contractual accommodations. Please be aware that we will no longer provide an additional/non-contractual policy grace period for individuals in states that do not have an active COVID-19 accommodation requirement. We are closely monitoring state/federal guidelines and adhering as appropriate.

If you need assistance with your individual life insurance policy, please contact us at 800-487-1485. We will review each situation on a case-by-case basis.

Are there options for policyowners to pay premiums other than by check?

There are several options on how to make a premium payment other than by check:

  • Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) – please contact us to set-up an EFT payment
  • Online – through your personal bank account’s online payment portal
  • Wire – please contact us to establish a wire transfer
  • Phone – payments are accepted over the phone in certain circumstances.

For assistance please contact us at 800-487-1485.

Is it possible to have a disbursement request (loan, surrender, withdrawal) expedited?

Please contact us at 800-487-1485 to request an expedited disbursement due to financial hardship related to COVID-19.

If I have or have had COVID-19, will it impact my existing life insurance policy?

No. If your policy was placed inforce with Lincoln prior to a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, there will be no impact to your existing policy. If your policy is still pending with Lincoln, refer to the “Applying for Life Insurance” questions above.

Will Lincoln pay the death claim if the cause of death is related to COVID-19?

Our individual annuity and life policies do not contain exclusions related to any specific disease or a pandemic. If a claim is received where a death occurred due to COVID-19, it will be paid in accordance with our normal procedures, subject to our standard contestability provisions. We remain committed to paying death claims as quickly as possible.

If you need to file a death claim you may do so either online, by clicking here, or contact us at 800-487-1485.


For life insurance policy owners and annuity contract holders currently residing outside the United States, click here. (PDF)

Lincoln Financial Group, its affiliated companies, and its representatives/insurance agents do not provide tax advice. Consult with your tax advisor to learn more about your specific situation. Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation and insurance company affiliates. Insurance products issued by The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, Fort Wayne, IN and Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York, Syracuse, NY. Contractual obligations are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company does not solicit business in the state of New York, nor is it authorized to do so.

For Use with the General Public.