Contact Employers and Member Organizations
Contact past and present employers, as well as professional and social organizations of which your loved one was a member. Many people receive free or low-cost policies through work or as a member benefit. Even if your loved one was retired or no longer active in these groups, the policy could still be in place.
Do an Online Search
Several websites offer free search tools to help users find unclaimed assets, including death benefits. Simply type your loved one’s name into the search box at any of the following sites:
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners - Life Insurance Policy Locator
- MissingMoney.com
- National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators - Unclaimed.org
There are also companies who will search for a lost policy for your loved one, and they can be a helpful resource for how to find out if someone has life insurance. Representatives will contact hundreds of life insurance companies on your behalf to determine whether your loved one had a policy. Fees vary, and scams involving this type of service do exist, so do your research before you go this route.
Call Your State Insurance Commissioner’s Office
If you haven’t had any luck locating a policy, get in touch with the Insurance Commissioner in your state. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ website lists the contact information for each state office. When an authorized person makes an inquiry to a policy, the state office typically forwards the request to licensed agencies within the state. The agencies will perform a search and, if a contract is found, will then make contact. If the person making the request is not an authorized party, the agency will not contact him or her, but will attempt to contact the named beneficiary.
Does Your Living Relative Have Life Insurance?
Though the best way to figure out if your relative has coverage is to ask him or her, there are some situations where it’s not an option. For example, if your loved one lives with dementia or mental illness, he or she may not be able to tell you the status of his or her coverage. The same may be true if your relative has been injured in a sudden accident or unforeseen medical emergency. If you need to know if your living relative has life insurance, you should follow the same steps listed above.
FAQs
Who can request information about a life insurance policy?
Even after death, companies must protect the privacy of their clients. In most cases, next of kin and policy beneficiaries can request information about a policy, but they may need to provide proof to the insurance company.
What information do I need to make a claim?
To make a claim, you will need several pieces of documentation:
- deceased’s full name, including maiden name
- Social Security Number (SSN)
- death certificate
- proof of your relation and/or identity
To start the process, simply contact the life insurance company that issued the policy and they’ll provide you with instructions.
What happens to the death benefits if no one claims the money?
Insurance companies turn over unclaimed death benefits to the state’s unclaimed property office. This is usually the office of the State Treasurer. The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators’ website lists this contact information by state.
Can you be the beneficiary of a life insurance policy and not know it?
Yes, you can. There is no requirement to notify a person when you list him or her on a policy.
It’s important to know how to find out if someone has life insurance if you’ll be responsible for settling their estate or paying any of their final expenses, including their funeral. The easiest way, of course, is to ask your loved ones. If that’s not an option, the steps above can help you find the critical documents you need.
