What do you need to do to add a newborn to your insurance policy?
If you're an expecting parent, prepare ahead of time for completing the process of adding your baby to your health insurance and life insurance policies. Most insurance carriers only offer a limited window of opportunity to add a newborn to your policy without additional complicated and time-consuming hurdles. Each insurance company may have slightly different documentation requirements for adding a baby, and most carriers acknowledge that a delay may exist between the birth and your receipt of the mandatory papers.
Birth Certificate
Your new baby's birth certificate is the document most commonly requested by insurance carriers. The birth certificate proves that a child was indeed born and that you are the parent. Most insurance companies accept a photocopy of the birth certificate, but occasionally one may ask for the copy to be notarized or otherwise certified as legitimate. A carrier will never request that you submit the original birth certificate.
Social Security Card
Although receipt of your baby's Social Security card may be delayed by several weeks or months, many life and health insurance companies will request a copy at your earliest convenience. Together with your newborn's birth certificate, the Social Security card is sufficient validation of your child's citizenship status. Insurance companies accept a photocopy of your child's Social Security card and will never ask for the original.
Crib Card
Your baby's crib card is often considered an acceptable preliminary means of identification and proof of birth. If you experience a problem or significant delay in obtaining your child's birth certificate and Social Security card, many life and health insurance companies will accept a copy of the baby's crib card, provided it displays the baby's full name, sex, and date of birth. Carriers who agree to add your newborn to life or health insurance policies with the submission of a crib card still require copies of the birth certificate and Social Security card within a reasonable period of time.
Insurance Company Forms
In addition to documentation demonstrating the birth of your new child, you need your life and health insurance carrier's specific forms to enroll the baby into the plan. Every insurance company has its own paperwork, and some carriers may have more complex forms. Enrollment paperwork must be submitted prior to the insurance company's deadline to add your baby to your plan.
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