How Employers Are Leaving You Uninformed: Free Benefits, No Guidance

Employers are quick to include free life insurance in your benefits package. And let’s be honest—it looks great on paper. You see it listed under “benefits,” and you feel reassured knowing that your family has a safety net. But here’s the catch: while they’re handing out policies, they’re not exactly handing out guides or training sessions to help you or your family understand it.

That’s a problem—a big one.

The truth is, many families are left scrambling in the most vulnerable moments of their lives, trying to figure out how to file a life insurance claim. Think about it: you’re grieving, you’re overwhelmed, and now you’re navigating an unfamiliar process that feels more like a maze than a lifeline. That free life insurance policy your employer so kindly offered? It’s practically useless if your loved ones have no idea where to start.

Here’s the reality: understanding your life insurance policy—even if it’s employer-provided—isn’t just your responsibility. Your employer should provide you with the tools and resources to bridge that gap. But more often than not, that piece of the puzzle is missing. You’re handed a policy, maybe even a few pages of terms and conditions, and then expected to “figure it out” if and when the time comes.

Now imagine this: You’ve named your spouse or child as your beneficiary, but they have no idea what to do with that information. They don’t know who to contact, what documents they’ll need, or how to avoid delays and roadblocks that could hold up the payout. Without clear instructions, your family could be left waiting weeks, months, or—in the worst-case scenario—find out the claim has been denied altogether.

And this isn’t a rare situation. After evaluation insurance claims for a decade, I found that nearly 80% of all claims are delayed or denied due to misunderstandings or missing information. It’s not enough to have a policy in place—you need a plan. Your family needs clarity, step-by-step guidance, and access to someone who can answer their questions and walk them through the process.

So, what can you do to close this gap? Start by having a conversation with your HR department. Ask for resources. Demand clarity. If they don’t have answers, take it upon yourself to learn. Review your policy, understand the steps for filing a claim, and—most importantly—share that information with your loved ones.

Write it down. Make it accessible.

And if you’re not sure where to start, that’s where I come in. My mission is to help families and beneficiaries navigate the complexities of life insurance so they’re not left in the dark when it matters most. Because having life insurance is great, but knowing how to use it? That’s what makes all the difference.

It’s time to hold employers accountable for more than just handing out policies and paychecks.

And it’s time for you to take control of your benefits so that your family is truly prepared.

Let’s turn uncertainty into clarity—one step at a time.