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Your Questions Answered
We’ve collected the most frequently asked questions on this page for easy reference. If your question isn’t answered here, please feel free to contact us.
How do I become a member of FCSLA Life?
Your purchase of a life insurance or annuity certificate automatically enrolls you as a member of FCSLA Life. Applicants are subject to the standard underwriting procedures of FCSLA Life. We will be happy to send you plan and rate information if you contact us directly with your name, address, and the date of birth and gender of each potential applicant. You may also get a quote via our online Cost Quote Generator.
What are the membership requirements?
The Association will have two membership categories in order to expose more people to our traditions, culture and values. To advance fraternalism and share our common bond, all members are encouraged to participate in fraternal activities.
1. A Principal Member is:
- A person of Slovak or Slavic birth or descent who is a Catholic of any Ritual Church; or
- A person of any other creed who is married to a Catholic of Slovak descent or any other Slavic descent; or
- Any person in the family of a Principal Member, subject to the review of the Board of Directors; and
- Insured in only those classes of insurance, including annuities, and in such amounts as approved by the Board of Directors.
- Not to exceed the age of fifteen (15) years for a juvenile applicant, and not less than sixteen (16) years for an adult applicant, or as defined from time to time by the Board of Directors.
- Any member of the Association that satisfies the criteria in (a), (b) or (c) above and (d) and (e) above or who was a member of the Association as of October 8, 2014.
2. A Fraternal Member is:
- A Christian who is following his/her belief.
- A person who is insured in only those classes of insurance, including annuities, and in such amounts as approved by the Board of Directors, but does not meet the other qualifications of a Principal Member.
- Entitled to all the Association’s fraternal benefits.
- Not able to have voting priviledges at any level.
- Not eligible to hold office at any level.
- Not to exceed the age of fifteen (15) years for a juvenile applicant, and not less than sixteen (16) years for an adult applicant, or as defined from time to time by the Board of Directors.
3. All members are:
- Citizens of the United States of America.
- Sound in body and mind.
- Recommended by a member in good standing.
- Notwithstanding Section 3(a) above, all members of the Association prior to October 8, 2014 shall be deemed to be Principal Members.
Do you have to be a woman to purchase an FCSLA Life certificate?
Absolutely not! We gladly welcome new members who are men, women or children.
How do I change my Beneficiary?
To change the beneficiary, the certificate owner may call us or send us a letter, fax or e-mail requesting a change of beneficiary form. Be sure to include the insured’s name, certificate number, owner’s name, and owner’s address. You may also print an Election of Change of Beneficiary form.
The Election of Change of Beneficiary form should be completed and signed by the certificate owner. If the beneficiary is the same on all certificates, you may use one form and list all certificate numbers. Otherwise, complete a separate request for each certificate.
The primary beneficiary must be someone other than the insured. Always state the beneficiary’s relationship to the insured.
Please include the shares to each beneficiary. A share is the fraction or percentage of the certificate’s proceeds that each beneficiary will receive. Unless otherwise requested, if two or more persons are named beneficiaries, proceeds shall be paid in equal shares to the beneficiaries or to such as survive.
When naming a trust as beneficiary, please include a copy of the page that names the trust and a copy of the last page with the signatures.
We recommend naming one or more contingent beneficiaries. The contingent beneficiary receives the proceeds if the primary beneficiary predeceases our insured.
The Change of Beneficiary form must be signed by a witness who cannot be a Beneficiary.
Mail the completed Change of Beneficiary form to the Home Office:
FCSLA Life
24950 Chagrin Blvd
Beachwood, OH 44122
How do I file a Death Claim?
Contact the Home Office by telephone; the Home Office requires the name of the insured person, his/her insurance certificate number and date of birth. Also include the name, address and phone number of the person handling the death claim. The same information is necessary when e-mailing us via the contact us page. You may print the two-page Death Claim form (PDF) here.
One completed claim form is sufficient regardless of the number of insurance certificates. A CERTIFIED Death Certificate must accompany the form.
Beneficiaries: List complete mailing information for each beneficiary listed on the insurance certificate. If any listed beneficiary is deceased, you must include a photocopy of their death certificate in order for any remaining designated beneficiaries to be paid. If none of the listed beneficiaries is living, please contact our claims department for guidance as to how to complete the claim.
Insurance Certificate: The original FCSLA Life certificate (policy) must be mailed to the Home Office. In the event the original certificate cannot be located, the family representative/contact person must complete the Statement of Lost Certificate section on the back of the Death Claim Report. The form must be witnessed but does not need to be notarized.
Mail the completed Death Claim Form, insurance certificate(s), certified death certificate and any other required documents to the Home Office:
FCSLA Life
Attn: Claims Dept.
24950 Chagrin Blvd
Beachwood, OH 44122
How do I notify you that my name has changed?
To change your last name on your certificate due to marriage or divorce, the certificate owner may request an Address/Name Change Form (PDF). You can also send us a letter or fax. Be sure to include the insured’s original name, insured’s new name, certificate number, owner’s name, and owner’s address. You may also print an Address/Name Change Form here.
You should complete and sign the form and return it to the Home Office. It is not necessary to return your original certificate.
If you are changing the name on a child’s certificate, we require a copy of the court order or adoption papers showing this change.
Mail the form and any documents to the Home Office:
FCSLA Life
Attn: Name/Address Changes
24950 Chagrin Blvd
Beachwood, OH 44122
How do I notify you that my address has changed?
The certificate owner should send the Home Office a letter or fax. Be sure to include the insured’s name, new address, certificate number, owner’s name, and owner’s address. You may also print the Address/Name Change Form (PDF) or use the form on the back of your Fraternally Yours magazine.
You should complete and sign the form and return it to the Home Office. It is not necessary to return your original certificate.
We will update our records as soon as possible. The change affects not only your account but also the Fraternally Yours magazine.
Mail the completed form to the Home Office:
FCSLA Life
Attn: Name/Address Change
24950 Chagrin Blvd
Beachwood, OH 44122
What if I lose my Certificate (Policy)?
If you lose your certificate, the certificate owner should send the Home Office a letter, fax or contact us and request a Lost Certificate Form. Be sure to include the insured’s name, certificate number, owner’s name, and owner’s address.
You should complete and sign the form and return it to the Home Office. We will then send to the certificate owner a Statement of Insurance. This will replace the certificate that was lost.
Mail the completed form to the Home Office:
FCSLA Life
Attn: Lost Certificate
24950 Chagrin Blvd
Beachwood, OH 44122
I no longer smoke. How can I get my classification changed?
To change the classification from smoker to non-smoker, an individual must: (1) be a non-smoker and be free from patches for one year; (2) obtain a letter from his physician as to how long he as been a non-smoker; and (3) provide a copy of a urinalysis with nicotine screen performed by his physician.
The necessary documents should be mailed to:
FCSLA Life
Attn: Billing Dept
24950 Chagrin Blvd.
Beachwood, OH 44122
