Dealing with the loss of a loved one is never easy. On top of the emotional toll, there are seemingly endless logistical and administrative tasks that need to be handled, including canceling or transferring their phone plan. To help make this process a little bit easier, we‘ve put together this comprehensive guide to Verizon‘s death policy. We‘ll cover everything from what happens to a Verizon account when the owner passes away, to how to unlock a deceased person‘s phone, to whether any fees are waived. Our goal is to arm you with all the information you need to navigate this difficult situation as smoothly as possible.
What Happens to a Verizon Account When the Owner Dies?
If you are the executor of the deceased‘s estate or have power of attorney, you have two main options when it comes to their Verizon account:
- Cancel the account/line of service
- Transfer the line to an existing or new Verizon account in your name
The specific steps you‘ll need to take depend on your relationship to the account. If you have a line on the same account as the deceased, you can use Verizon‘s Transfer Service From Deceased Account Owner online form to begin the transfer process. You‘ll need to provide the deceased‘s account number, their date of death, and your personal information.
If you are the executor of the estate, you‘ll need to provide additional legal documentation to Verizon, including:
- A copy of the death certificate
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration naming you executor
- A copy of the deceased‘s will (not required but helpful)
You can fax these documents along with the first page of the deceased‘s last Verizon bill to 1-866-761-8377. A Verizon representative will then contact you within 3-5 business days to complete the transfer.
Canceling a Deceased Person‘s Verizon Service
Some families prefer to cancel their loved one‘s phone line rather than transfer it. To do this, you will need to contact Verizon Customer Service at 1-800-922-0204. Be prepared to provide the following information:
- The phone number you want to cancel
- The name of the account owner
- The account PIN or last four digits of the account owner‘s social security number
- Billing zip code
If you don‘t know the account PIN, simply explain that the customer has passed away and the representative will help you verify the account in another way. This could include sending a verification code to the device you‘re calling about.
Note that if the deceased had a contract with an early termination fee, or an outstanding device payment plan, you will still be responsible for paying those balances, even if you cancel service (more on that later).
Verizon‘s Policy on Death Certificates
Unlike some other cellphone carriers, Verizon does not typically require a death certificate to cancel or transfer an account after the owner dies. As long as you can provide the account owner‘s social security number or account PIN, the process is relatively straightforward.
However, there are a few circumstances where a death certificate may be necessary:
- If you want to have an outstanding device payment plan balance waived
- If you need to access a deceased person‘s Verizon account or records and are not the executor
- If there are any doubts or discrepancies about the account owner‘s death
If you do need to submit a death certificate to Verizon, you can fax it along with a brief cover letter explaining your request to 1-866-761-8377.
Early Termination Fees and the Verizon Death Policy
If the deceased had a contract with Verizon that included an early termination fee for canceling service before the end of the term, Verizon will waive that fee due to their passing. The same goes for any remaining payments for that billing cycle – those will also be waived until the next billing date.
However, it‘s important to note that even if early termination fees are waived, you may still be responsible for paying off any outstanding balance on a device payment plan. So if your loved one was paying for their phone in monthly installments and passed away before paying it off, those payments would still be owed, even if you cancel their line of service. The only exception is if you return the device to a Verizon corporate store and provide a death certificate – then Verizon will close out the payment agreement.
Unlocking a Deceased Person‘s Phone
If your loved one had a phone through Verizon that you‘d like to use with a different carrier, you will need to have it unlocked first. Verizon will not make exceptions to their standard unlocking policy in the event of a death. That means the device needs to meet the following criteria to be eligible for unlocking:
- It must be a Verizon device
- It must not be reported lost or stolen
- It must be 60 days past the purchase date
If the device is still within the 60-day lock period, your only option is to wait until that time has passed. After 60 days, the phone will automatically unlock, even if the original owner has passed away.
Keep in mind that unlocking the device for use on another carrier is not the same as accessing the device‘s contents and data. If you want to get into a deceased loved one‘s phone to retrieve photos, messages, and other information, you‘ll likely need their PIN code or password. If you don‘t have that information, you may be able to work with their estate executor to obtain a court order granting you access to the device and data. However, this process can be very difficult, especially with newer smartphones that have enhanced security features.
Making Your "Digital Legacy" Arrangements
To avoid confusion and hassle for your loved ones, it‘s a good idea to include arrangements for your digital assets – including your phone and other devices – in your estate planning. This could involve:
- Keeping a master list of account numbers, usernames, and passwords in a secure but accessible location
- Specifying in your will who should take over your phone line and device
- Setting up Apple‘s Digital Legacy program or Google‘s Inactive Account Manager to grant access to your accounts after a period of inactivity
- Having a conversation with your family about your wishes for your devices and accounts in the event of your death
While it may seem morbid to plan for your own passing, getting your digital affairs in order is an act of kindness to those you‘ll leave behind. Dealing with a loved one‘s cellphone account is probably the last thing anyone wants to worry about while grieving. By making your wishes known and sharing access information proactively, you can lift that administrative burden and give your family one less thing to stress about.
We hope this guide to Verizon‘s death policy has been helpful during a difficult time. Remember, you don‘t have to navigate this process alone – Verizon‘s customer service team is available to support you. Don‘t hesitate to reach out to them with any questions or concerns.
