Policy Locator Services
Assistance Finding Lost Life Insurance Policies
Life insurance policyholders may fail to inform the beneficiary(ies) of a policy’s existence and because some beneficiaries are not aware of their entitlement to the death benefit proceeds, they may fail to claim them. Insurance companies would like to distribute what is rightfully due, but they are bound to identify and pay the proper beneficiaries under the policies that they issue and they may only do so when claims are made.
First Steps..
- Check the decedent’s personal papers and address books looking for listings of insurance agents, lawyers, estate planners, and financial advisors.
- Check safety deposit boxes for an insurance policy or related papers.
- Check with any current or former employers for group life coverage or other life insurance policies purchased through work. Check with a spouse’s current or former employer to determine whether spousal coverage may apply.
- Check the decedent’s bank accounts/cancelled checks for premium payments or policy loan interest payments to an insurance company.
- Review the decedent’s income tax returns for any distributions from life insurance companies that have de-mutualized.
- Check the decedent’s mail for at least one year following his or her passing for any premium notices, dividend notices, policy status notices and statements that are mailed generally around policy anniversaries or tax time.
- Check with any fraternal organizations, associations, professional membership groups, unions and other such entities to which the decedent belonged that may make life insurance available to their members.
- Check with the decedent’s homeowner’s and auto insurance agent to see if they also may have sold life insurance to the decedent.
- Consumers have many options available to them when searching for life insurance policies for deceased family members, including: state treasurer and national unclaimed property searches; insurance company Lost Policy Finders; state insurance department Policy Locators; and private, fee-based services.
Helpful Links
MIB Policy Locator Service
NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator Service
