A claimant submits satisfactory proof of death, including a certified certificate, on a life policy issued in Greensboro. Within how many days after receipt must the insurer pay the death proceeds?

Why C is correct

Under G.S. 58-58-110(a), a North Carolina insurer must pay death proceeds within 30 days after receiving satisfactory proof of death, including a certified death certificate. If payment is delayed, the insurer owes interest at a rate not less than the current rate on death proceeds left on deposit, computed from the date of the insured's death.

Why the other options are wrong

• A) 31 days is the life-policy grace period of G.S. 58-58-22(1), not the death-claim payment deadline.
• B) 45 days is the outer mailing window for forfeiture notices under G.S. 58-58-120, not the death-claim deadline.
• D) 60 days is the period that must elapse after written proof of loss before legal action under G.S. 58-51-15(a)(11), not the payment deadline.

Memory hook

Proof of death in, check out in 30 days — or interest runs from death.

Why A is correct

Under G.S. 58-58-110(a), death proceeds must be paid within 30 days after receipt of satisfactory proof of death, including a certified death certificate. If payment is late, the insurer owes interest at a rate not less than the current rate on death proceeds left on deposit, computed from the date of the insured's death.

Why the other options are wrong

• B) 31 days is the life grace-period figure; the prompt-payment deadline for death proceeds is 30 days.
• C) No 60-day payment deadline applies to death proceeds under North Carolina law.
• D) 90 days is not a North Carolina death-benefit payment period; it is the model-act proof-of-loss figure from another context.

Memory hook

Proof in, 30 days to pay or interest runs from death.