If you are searching for information about Genworth life insurance, the most critical fact to understand is that Genworth Financial stopped selling new life insurance and fixed annuity policies in March 2016. While you can no longer purchase a new policy from them, the company remains responsible for millions of active policies issued before that date.

For existing policyholders, your contract remains legally binding. Genworth is obligated to honor the terms of your coverage, pay out valid death benefits, and provide ongoing customer service. This comprehensive analysis covers the current state of Genworth, how to handle an existing policy, and the specific steps required for filing a claim.

The Strategic Shift Why Genworth Stopped Selling Life Insurance

Genworth Financial, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, was once a dominant force in the American insurance landscape, particularly after being spun off from General Electric in 2004. However, the company faced significant financial headwinds, primarily stemming from its massive portfolio of legacy long-term care (LTC) insurance policies.

As life expectancy increased and the cost of healthcare rose faster than historical projections, the claims on these LTC policies placed immense pressure on Genworth’s balance sheet. In response to these financial challenges, the company underwent a major restructuring in early 2016. The decision to cease new sales of traditional life insurance and fixed annuities allowed the company to preserve capital and focus on its most viable business lines: mortgage insurance (through its subsidiary Enact) and managing its existing LTC block.

Today, Genworth operates as a "closed block" for life insurance. This means they service the policies already on the books but do not add new customers to that specific pool. This is a common practice in the insurance industry when a company chooses to pivot its business model or stabilize its financial ratings.

Is Your Existing Genworth Policy Safe?

A common concern for policyholders is whether their coverage will disappear if the company stops selling new products. The short answer is no. Life insurance contracts are long-term legal obligations. Genworth Life Insurance Company and its subsidiaries, such as Genworth Life and Annuity Insurance Company, are regulated by state insurance departments, which require them to maintain reserves specifically designated to pay future claims.

Furthermore, several blocks of Genworth’s business have been involved in reinsurance agreements. For instance, in 2016, Protective Life Insurance Company entered into an agreement to reinsure a significant portion of Genworth’s term life insurance business. While Genworth may still provide the primary customer service for these policies, the financial backing often involves these larger, highly-rated entities.

If you own a Genworth policy, you should continue to pay your premiums as scheduled. Failure to pay premiums is the most common reason policies lapse, regardless of the insurance company's status.

How to Manage Your Genworth Life Insurance Policy Online

Managing an insurance policy that was purchased years or even decades ago can feel daunting, but Genworth provides a secure digital platform called "My Genworth" to handle most administrative tasks.

Registering for Online Access

To manage your policy digitally, you must register on the official Genworth website. You will need the following information:

  • Your policy number (found on your annual statement or original contract).
  • Your Social Security Number.
  • A valid email address.

Once registered, you can perform several self-service tasks without needing to wait on hold for a customer service representative.

Available Online Features

  • Viewing Policy Details: Check your coverage amount, policy type (Term, Universal Life, or Whole Life), and current status.
  • Payment Management: You can make one-time premium payments or set up automated recurring payments from a checking or savings account. You can also view your payment history.
  • Updating Contact Information: If you move, you can update your physical address and phone number directly in the portal.
  • Beneficiary Review: It is vital to periodically review who is listed as your beneficiary. While some changes might require a signed form, the portal allows you to see current designations.
  • Document Uploads: If the company requests specific forms or identification, you can often upload these directly through the secure message center.

Essential Administrative Changes: Names and Addresses

Keeping your policy records current ensures that when the time comes to file a claim, the process is not delayed by outdated information.

Updating Your Name

If your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or a court order, you must notify Genworth officially.

  1. Marriage or Divorce: You can often initiate this through the My Genworth portal. You may need to provide a copy of the marriage certificate or divorce decree.
  2. Other Legal Changes: For name changes not related to marital status, you will likely need to submit a specific "Address or Name Change" form along with legal documentation.

Updating Your Address

If you move, updating your address is critical for receiving annual statements, tax documents, and notifications about premium changes or policy lapses. This can be done online or by mailing a signed request to their service center in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Understanding the Genworth Claims Process

The most important function of a life insurance policy is the eventual payout of the death benefit. Filing a claim with Genworth requires specific documentation and adherence to a strict legal process.

Who is the Claimant?

A claimant is the person or entity (such as a trust or estate) entitled to receive the policy proceeds. Every named beneficiary must complete their own separate "Claimant’s Statement."

Required Documentation for a Death Claim

To initiate a claim, you will typically need to provide:

  1. The Original Certified Death Certificate: Genworth requires a death certificate with a raised seal or a multicolored signature seal from the issuing government agency (county, city, or state). They generally do not accept photocopies of this document.
  2. The Claimant’s Statement: This form includes the beneficiary’s contact information, Social Security Number, and their relationship to the deceased.
  3. The Original Policy: While Genworth prefers the original contract, if it has been lost, you can usually sign a "Lost Policy" certification included within the claimant’s statement.
  4. IRS Form 712: In many cases, the executor of an estate will request an IRS Form 712. This form provides the value of the life insurance policy as of the date of death, which is necessary for estate tax filings.

Foreign Death Claims

If the insured individual passed away outside the United States, the requirements are more stringent. You may be required to provide:

  • An "Original Certified Death Certificate" from the country of death.
  • A "Report of Death of an American Citizen Abroad" issued by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
  • A foreign death questionnaire.
  • Secondary evidence, such as funeral bills, airline tickets, or remains transport documentation.

Managing Complex Beneficiary Situations

Not all claims are straightforward. Here is how Genworth handles specific beneficiary scenarios:

Claims by a Trust

If the beneficiary is a trust, the "Claimant’s Name" on the form should be the full legal name of the trust, including the date it was established. Each current trustee must sign the form unless the trust document explicitly allows a single trustee to act alone. You will also need to provide the Trust’s Tax Identification Number (TIN).

Claims by a Minor

Life insurance companies cannot pay death benefits directly to a minor. Instead, the funds must be paid to a legally appointed guardian of the minor's estate or into a trust for the minor's benefit. If no guardian is appointed, the funds may be held by the state under Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA) regulations until the child reaches the age of majority.

Assignment to a Funeral Home

Beneficiaries often wish to use a portion of the life insurance proceeds to cover funeral costs. Genworth allows for "Funeral Home Assignments," where the beneficiary signs a form authorizing Genworth to pay the funeral home directly from the policy proceeds.

Financial Strength and Ratings Update

For policyholders, the financial health of the insurer is a key indicator of its ability to pay long-term claims. Insurance companies are rated by independent agencies like AM Best.

As of late 2025, AM Best has rated Genworth Life Insurance Company (GLIC) at a C++ (Marginal). This rating reflects the significant financial challenges the company has faced, particularly regarding its long-term care insurance liabilities. However, it is important to note that the "Outlook" for this rating was recently adjusted from "Stable" to "Positive," indicating that the company’s capital position and financial stability are beginning to improve.

Genworth Life and Annuity Insurance Company (GLAIC), another subsidiary, often holds a slightly higher rating, such as a B- (Fair). While these ratings are lower than many top-tier insurers like New York Life or Northwestern Mutual, Genworth has continued to meet all its policyholder obligations.

Contact Information for Genworth Life Insurance

Because Genworth has many different subsidiaries and legacy products, reaching the correct department is essential for efficient service.

General Customer Service

  • Phone: 888-GENWORTH (888-436-9678)
  • Hours: Monday–Thursday, 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM ET; Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM ET.

Life Insurance Specific Support

Mailing Addresses

  • Standard Mail: Genworth Life P.O. Box 40016 Lynchburg, VA 24506
  • Overnight/Express Mail: Life Insurance Customer Service 3100 Albert Lankford Drive Lynchburg, VA 24501

Annuity Specific Support

  • Fixed Annuities: 800-221-9501
  • Variable Annuities: 800-352-9910
  • Immediate Annuities: 888-322-4629

Alternatives for New Life Insurance Coverage

Since you cannot buy a new policy from Genworth, if you find yourself needing more coverage, you must look to other carriers. When shopping for a new policy, consider the following steps:

  1. Evaluate Your Needs: Determine if you need Term Life (temporary coverage for 10-30 years) or Permanent Life (coverage for your entire life with a cash value component).
  2. Check Financial Ratings: Prioritize companies with an AM Best rating of "A" or higher.
  3. Compare Quotes: Use an independent agent or online comparison tool to get quotes from multiple highly-rated carriers like Banner Life, Prudential, or Mutual of Omaha.
  4. Consider Health Underwriting: Different companies have different "sweet spots" for certain health conditions. If you have a specific medical history, some carriers may offer much better rates than others.

Summary of Genworth Life Insurance Status

Genworth Life Insurance is no longer a provider for new customers seeking life insurance. The company transitioned its focus away from this market in 2016 to stabilize its financial position amidst heavy losses in its long-term care division.

For the millions of people who still hold Genworth policies, the company remains a functioning entity dedicated to servicing those contracts. By utilizing the My Genworth online portal and keeping beneficiary information updated, policyholders can ensure their coverage remains a reliable component of their financial plan. If you are a beneficiary, gathering the certified death certificate and submitting the claimant statement promptly is the fastest way to receive the policy's death benefit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Genworth still sell life insurance?

No. Genworth stopped accepting new applications for life insurance and annuities in March 2016. They now focus on long-term care insurance and mortgage insurance.

How do I find out if I am a beneficiary of a Genworth policy?

If you suspect you are a beneficiary but have not been contacted, you can call Genworth's life insurance customer service at 888-325-5433. You will need the insured person's full name, Social Security Number, and date of birth to facilitate the search.

Can I convert my Genworth term policy to a permanent one?

Many Genworth term life insurance policies include a "conversion rider." This allows you to switch to a permanent policy without a new medical exam. However, this option usually has an expiration date (often at age 65 or 70, or at the end of the initial term). You should call customer service to see if your specific policy still has an active conversion window.

What is the "My Genworth" portal?

It is the secure customer website where policyholders can view their benefits, update their address, change banking information for payments, and download forms.

Why is my Genworth policy being serviced by Protective Life?

In 2016, Genworth entered into a reinsurance agreement with Protective Life Insurance Company. While Genworth may still be your point of contact, Protective Life provides the financial backing for certain blocks of term life insurance policies.

How long does it take Genworth to pay a death claim?

Once Genworth receives all the required documentation—including the certified death certificate and all completed claimant statements—most claims are processed and paid within 7 to 10 business days. Delays usually occur if the death certificate is missing the "final cause of death" or if beneficiary information is outdated.

Can I change my beneficiary over the phone?

No. For security and legal reasons, Genworth requires a signed "Beneficiary Designation" form to change the person entitled to the death benefit. This form can often be downloaded from their website and then mailed or faxed back to them.

What should I do if I lost my original Genworth policy document?

Do not worry. You do not need the physical policy to file a claim or manage your account. When filing a claim, the claimant's statement includes a section where you can certify that the original policy is lost. For general management, your policy number is sufficient.