Finding out if someone had life insurance after their death may involve multiple steps, including searching the deceased's personal belongings, contacting their financial advisor or employers, using online tools or enlisting a private firm. Although the whole ordeal can be daunting, especially during a time of grief, it can help settle the affairs of your loved one and ensure that their final wishes are honored.
How to Find Out if Someone Had Life Insurance
Updated: May 22, 2024
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Finding Out if Someone Had Life Insurance
Losing a loved one is a harrowing experience, and the succeeding financial matters can often add to the stress. Determining if the deceased had a life insurance policy in place is an important part of settling these matters. If you find yourself in this situation, know there are steps you can take. While requiring some work, these steps can help uncover any potential benefits your loved one may have arranged.
1
Search for a physical copy of the policy
Look through the deceased's personal documents for any paperwork related to life insurance. The policy document will have all the information you need to file a claim, including the name and contact information of the insurer, policy number, name of beneficiary or beneficiaries and the death benefit amount.
2
Search digital storage for policy information
If the deceased person stored their documents digitally, check their computer or other digital storage devices for any information related to life insurance. This step can help reveal stored or forgotten policies.
3
Contact the deceased person’s financial advisors
Reach out to any professionals who helped the deceased manage their estate, such as their accountant, attorney or financial planner. These individuals can be an invaluable resource in finding a life insurance policy.
4
Use life insurance search tools
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), the MIB Group and the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) offer tools designed to locate life insurance policies through an unclaimed life insurance database.
5
Contact the life insurance company
If you know which life insurance company issued the deceased's policy, contact it directly. Representatives with the company can determine if someone has life insurance and guide you through the claims process.
Additional Methods to Determine if Someone Had Life Insurance
If your initial efforts to uncover a loved one's life insurance policy aren't successful, you can also consult the following. This may require more digging than the strategies mentioned above, but it can often shed light on hidden or forgotten policies.
Bank records
Check the deceased person's bank records for any transactions related to life insurance premiums. This can be an effective way to find life insurance policies that were actively paid for up until the policyholder's passing.
Check their mail and email for periodic updates from insurance providers. These can hint at the existence of a policy, facilitating a more directed life insurance lookup.
Income tax records
Review the deceased person's income tax returns for records of payments to life insurance companies. Such documentation can serve as a clue in finding life insurance policies that might have been forgotten.
Employers and unions
Make sure to contact the deceased's former employer or union to see if they had a group life insurance policy.
Member organizations
Check with any member organizations the deceased person was part of, as they may have offered life insurance to their members.
State unclaimed property office
Contact the state's unclaimed property office to check if it holds the deceased person's life insurance benefits. This is an important part of the unclaimed life insurance policy search, as benefits might go unclaimed when beneficiaries are unaware of their existence.
Private firms
Consider hiring a private firm specializing in life insurance search efforts. These firms can thoroughly comb through the deceased’s records, utilizing tools like the national life insurance database to locate life insurance policies more effectively.
Information You’ll Need to Determine if Someone Had Life Insurance
You'll need certain pieces of information when locating a life insurance policy. The more details you have, the easier it becomes to navigate to determine if your loved one had a life insurance policy.
Key information includes:
- Full name of the deceased person
- Social Security number
- Last known address
- Name of the insurance company (if known)
- Policy number (if known)
How to Make a Life Insurance Claim if You’re the Beneficiary
If you've discovered that you're the beneficiary of a life insurance policy, the next step is to make a claim. This process, while straightforward, requires careful attention to ensure all necessary steps are followed.
1
Contact the insurance company
Once you've located the policy, contact the insurance company to inform them of the policyholder's death and your intention to make a claim.
2
Fill out the claim forms
Completely and accurately fill out the claim forms provided by the insurer.
3
Submit the claim forms and death certificate
Once you've filled out the claim forms, submit them to the insurance company along with a certified copy of the death certificate.
4
Wait for the claim to be processed
The insurance company will review your claim and, if approved, will issue a life insurance payout.
MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP
There's a time frame within which a life insurance claim must be made. This period, known as the "claim period," varies by policy and insurance company. If a claim is not made within the claim period, the provider may deny the claim. It's crucial to act promptly upon learning of a policy. If you're unsure about the claim period, consult the policy documents or contact the insurance company directly.
FAQ About Life Insurance Benefits
Determining if someone had life insurance while dealing with a tragic loss can seem overwhelming. Here are some commonly asked questions about the process to help you navigate it.
How do I find out if someone has life insurance?
You can find out if someone has life insurance by sifting through their personal documents for any insurance-related paperwork, exploring their digital storage for policy information and contacting their financial advisors. Contacting past employers or affiliations may reveal any group life insurance. Searching for unclaimed policies through specific databases can also yield results. You can use a life insurance finder or life insurance lookup tool.
Who can request information about a life insurance policy?
Typically, the executor of the estate, immediate family members or named beneficiaries can request information about a life insurance policy.
Is there a database to search for life insurance?
Yes, there are databases for searching for life insurance, such as those provided by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), the MIB Group and the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA).
What happens when the owner of a life insurance policy dies before the insured?
Sometimes, the person who controls the policy and pays the premiums (the owner) is not the same as the insured. In these situations, if the policy owner passes away before the insured person, the policy usually becomes part of the owner's estate unless a contingent owner is designated. A contingent owner steps in to take over the policy if the original owner dies before the individual insured under the policy.
How can I find out if I am a life insurance beneficiary?
If you think you might be a beneficiary, it's worth searching for the policy to ensure you're not leaving life insurance benefits unclaimed. You can start by asking the deceased's family members or estate executors if they know of any policies where you might be listed as a beneficiary. You can also contact the deceased's insurance company or use a policy locator service.
What happens to the death benefits if no one claims the money?
If no one claims the death benefits of a life insurance policy, the funds are typically turned over to the state's unclaimed property office.
What should I do if I can't find any information about a life insurance policy?
If you've exhausted all other options and still can't find any information about a life insurance policy, you can contact your state's insurance commissioner's office. They may be able to assist you in your search. You can also hire a private firm to help you.
How do I find out if an old life insurance policy is still good?
To determine if an old life insurance policy is still valid, contact the issuing insurance company directly or use an unclaimed life insurance policy search to check its status.
About Melissa Wylie
Melissa Wylie is the Content and SEO Manager at MoneyGeek, with nearly a decade of editorial experience and six years of work in financial content focused on small businesses. She previously held SEO positions at Bankrate and LendingTree, with bylines on ValuePenguin and MagnifyMoney.
Wylie has a journalism degree from the University of North Texas. Her strong foundation in journalism helps her craft content that simplifies complex financial topics to help everyone feel confident when making decisions with their money.