What You Ought to Know
- Step one in discover out if somebody has life insurance coverage is to assemble related info
- State Insurance coverage Departments may help you find a life insurance coverage coverage if there may be one obtainable
- If a major period of time has handed for the reason that deceased’s demise, the coverage could also be listed as unclaimed property
If your beloved didn’t go away a transparent document of a life insurance coverage coverage, it may be troublesome to know discover an previous life insurance coverage coverage. We break down the principle steps on how to find out if someone has life insurance, so you possibly can simply discover out whether or not the deceased had an energetic life insurance coverage coverage.
As soon as you discover the life insurance coverage coverage, it’s then a matter of coping with any life insurance death benefits, which can come within the type of a lump sum or a number of funds.
In an effort to discover a life insurance coverage coverage and potential demise profit payouts, learn our information under.
Easy methods to Seek for Previous Life Insurance coverage Insurance policies
There are a couple of methods to seek out an previous life insurance coverage coverage, however top-of-the-line methods is to contact your State Insurance coverage Division and use its life insurance coverage coverage locator.
You have to the deceased’s demise certificates and social safety quantity. Under, we now have listed the contact info for every State Insurance coverage Division.
Insurance coverage Division Contact Info by State
| State | Insurance coverage Division | Cellphone Quantity | Web site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Alabama Division of Insurance coverage | (334) 241-4141 | www.aldoi.gov |
| Alaska | Alaska Division of Insurance coverage | (907) 269-7900 | www.commerce.alaska.gov/ins |
| Arizona | Arizona Division of Insurance coverage | (602) 364-3100 | insurance coverage.az.gov |
| Arkansas | Arkansas Insurance coverage Division | (501) 371-2600 | insurance coverage.arkansas.gov |
| California | California Division of Insurance coverage | (800) 927-4357 | www.insurance coverage.ca.gov |
| Colorado | Colorado Division of Insurance coverage | (303) 894-7499 | doi.colorado.gov |
| Connecticut | Connecticut Insurance coverage Division | (860) 297-3800 | portal.ct.gov/cid |
| Delaware | Delaware Insurance coverage Division | (302) 674-7300 | insurance coverage.delaware.gov |
| Florida | Florida Workplace of Insurance coverage Regulation | (850) 413-3140 | www.floir.com |
| Georgia | Georgia Workplace of Insurance coverage and Security Hearth Commissioner | (404) 656-2070 | www.oci.ga.gov |
| Hawaii | Hawaii Division of Commerce and Shopper Affairs | (808) 586-2790 | cca.hawaii.gov/ins |
| Idaho | Idaho Division of Insurance coverage | (208) 334-4250 | www.doi.idaho.gov |
| Illinois | Illinois Division of Insurance coverage | (312) 814-2420 | insurance coverage.illinois.gov |
| Indiana | Indiana Division of Insurance coverage | (317) 232-2385 | www.in.gov/idoi |
| Iowa | Iowa Insurance coverage Division | (515) 281-5705 | iid.iowa.gov |
| Kansas | Kansas Insurance coverage Division | (785) 296-3071 | insurance coverage.kansas.gov |
| Kentucky | Kentucky Division of Insurance coverage | (502) 564-3630 | insurance coverage.ky.gov |
| Louisiana | Louisiana Division of Insurance coverage | (225) 342-5900 | ldi.la.gov |
| Maine | Maine Bureau of Insurance coverage | (207) 624-8475 | www.maine.gov/insurance coverage |
| Maryland | Maryland Insurance coverage Administration | (410) 468-2000 | insurance coverage.maryland.gov |
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts Division of Insurance coverage | (617) 521-7794 | www.mass.gov/doi |
| Michigan | Michigan Division of Insurance coverage and Monetary Companies | (877) 999-6442 | www.michigan.gov/difs |
| Minnesota | Minnesota Division of Commerce | (651) 539-1500 | mn.gov/commerce |
| Mississippi | Mississippi Insurance coverage Division | (601) 359-3569 | www.mid.ms.gov |
| Missouri | Missouri Division of Commerce and Insurance coverage | (573) 751-4126 | insurance coverage.mo.gov |
| Montana | Montana State Auditor’s Workplace | (406) 444-2040 | csimt.gov |
| Nebraska | Nebraska Division of Insurance coverage | (402) 471-2201 | doi.nebraska.gov |
| Nevada | Nevada Division of Insurance coverage | (702) 486-4009 | doi.nv.gov |
| New Hampshire | New Hampshire Insurance coverage Division | (603) 271-2261 | www.nh.gov/insurance coverage |
| New Jersey | New Jersey Division of Banking and Insurance coverage | (609) 292-7272 | www.state.nj.us/dobi |
| New Mexico | New Mexico Workplace of Superintendent of Insurance coverage | (505) 827-4601 | www.osi.state.nm.us |
| New York | New York State Division of Monetary Companies | (800) 342-3736 | www.dfs.ny.gov |
| North Carolina | North Carolina Division of Insurance coverage | (855) 408-1212 | www.ncdoi.gov |
| North Dakota | North Dakota Insurance coverage Division | (701) 328-2440 | www.insurance coverage.nd.gov |
| Ohio | Ohio Division of Insurance coverage | (614) 644-2658 | www.insurance coverage.ohio.gov |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma Insurance coverage Division | (405) 521-2828 | www.oid.okay.gov |
| Oregon | Oregon Division of Monetary Regulation | (888) 877-4894 | dfr.oregon.gov |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania Insurance coverage Division | (877) 881-6388 | www.insurance coverage.pa.gov |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island Division of Enterprise Regulation | (401) 462-9520 | www.dbr.ri.gov |
| South Carolina | South Carolina Division of Insurance coverage | (803) 737-6160 | www.doi.sc.gov |
| South Dakota | South Dakota Division of Insurance coverage | (605) 773-3563 | dlr.sd.gov/insurance coverage |
| Tennessee | Tennessee Division of Commerce and Insurance coverage | (615) 741-2241 | www.tn.gov/commerce/insurance coverage |
| Texas | Texas Division of Insurance coverage | (512) 676-6000 | www.tdi.texas.gov |
| Utah | Utah Insurance coverage Division | (801) 538-3800 | insurance coverage.utah.gov |
| Vermont | Vermont Division of Monetary Regulation | (802) 828-3301 | dfr.vermont.gov |
| Virginia | Virginia State Company Fee | (804) 371-9741 | scc.virginia.gov/boi |
| Washington | Washington Workplace of the Insurance coverage Commissioner | (800) 562-6900 | www.insurance coverage.wa.gov |
| Washington D.C. | Washington D.C. Division of Insurance coverage | (202) 727-8000 | disb.dc.gov |
| West Virginia | West Virginia Places of work of the Insurance coverage Commissioner | (304) 558-3386 | insurance coverage.wv.gov |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin Workplace of the Commissioner of Insurance coverage | (608) 266-3585 | oci.wi.gov |
| Wyoming | Wyoming Division of Insurance coverage | (307) 777-7401 | doi.wyo.gov |
Learn extra:
You possibly can name your state’s division immediately, or you possibly can go to the web site for assist finding a life insurance coverage coverage. As soon as you discover the life insurance coverage coverage, additionally, you will be capable of uncover when you had been listed as a life insurance beneficiary on the coverage.
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Utilizing a Life Insurance coverage Coverage Locator
Whenever you contact your State Insurance coverage Division, it’s useful to have gathered info on the coverage if potential. It will assist the State Insurance coverage Division find the deceased’s life insurance coverage coverage if one is to be discovered.
The coverage info you must search for is as follows:
Steps to Seek for Previous Life Insurance coverage Insurance policies
| Steps | Info to Search for |
|---|---|
| Search the deceased’s paperwork | Proof of coverage and related info |
| Search via paper and digital recordsdata | Insurance coverage-related paperwork |
| Test financial institution statements | Checks or computerized drafts to life insurance coverage corporations |
| Test mail and e-mail | Premium or dividend notices, annual notices |
| Evaluation tax returns | Document of curiosity earnings or bills paid to insurance coverage corporations |
| Test utility paperwork | Listing of different life insurance coverage insurance policies |
Whereas it could take some time to dig via paperwork to seek out the mandatory paperwork, keep in mind that it’s a lot simpler and quicker on your State Insurance coverage Division to seek out an insurance coverage coverage in case you have at the least among the documentation listed above proving that there’s an insurance coverage coverage in existence.
When you have any confusion about how life insurance coverage insurance policies and payouts work when in search of a coverage, learn our information on how does life insurance work for extra info.
Contacting the State Insurance coverage Division
You may also contact the State Insurance coverage Division when you need assistance finding a life insurance coverage coverage as a result of some info is lacking. When you don’t have to know all of the coverage info, like if the deceased had a time period life or permanent life insurance coverage, you must know fundamental details about the deceased and the insurance coverage firm.
Under, we’ve listed some situations the place you might need hassle discovering misplaced life insurance coverage due to an absence of fundamental info, in addition to what you must do in every case.
Strategies of Finding an Current Life Insurance coverage Coverage
| Strategies | Steps |
|---|---|
| NAIC Life Insurance coverage Coverage Locator Service | Submit a request with related info |
| State’s Unclaimed Property Workplace | Search the state’s unclaimed property database |
| Insurance coverage firm modified its identify or offered | Tips about discovering insurance coverage corporations that underwent modifications |
| Firm went bankrupt | Contact the state life and well being warranty affiliation |
| Coverage might have been bought in Canada | Attain out to the Canadian Ombudservice for Life and Well being Insurance coverage |
| Charge-based companies | Companies provided by MIB and personal corporations for a payment |
Troubleshooting by following the steps above will make it easier to along with your previous insurance coverage coverage search.
Ideas for Discovering an Previous Life Insurance coverage Coverage
In the event you aren’t positive the place to start out along with your search, check out our suggestions under on discover out if somebody has life insurance coverage.
Steps to Discover a Misplaced Life Insurance coverage Coverage
| Steps | Info to Search for |
|---|---|
| Undergo the deceased’s paperwork | Life insurance coverage coverage amongst paperwork, storage, or secure deposit field |
| Test digital recordsdata | Laptop, exterior onerous drive, or cloud system |
| Search financial institution statements | Funds or checks to life insurance coverage corporations |
| Evaluation tax returns | Document of curiosity earnings or bills paid to insurance coverage corporations |
| Test e-mail or mail | Premium fee reminders, dividend notices, or advertising and marketing supplies |
| Use NAIC Life Insurance coverage Coverage Locator software | Relationship to the deceased and related private particulars |
| Contact state’s insurance coverage division | Fundamental details about the deceased and a duplicate of the demise certificates |
| Test unclaimed property applications | State applications for unclaimed life insurance coverage insurance policies |
| Attain out to the deceased’s employer | Advantages or HR division for info on current insurance policies |
| Seek the advice of monetary advisors, accountants, and so forth. | Inquire a few life insurance coverage coverage in place |
| Strive the MIB Group | Database seek for life insurance coverage utility info |
As you possibly can see, there are many methods to gather the data wanted. Though some strategies could also be extra time-consuming, the data gathered will make it easier to decide whether or not there was an energetic life insurance coverage coverage.
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Distinctive Challenges to Discovering Previous Life Insurance coverage
Typically, the challenges that come up when in search of an previous life insurance coverage coverage need to do with modified info or a major lapse of time between the deceased’s demise and the seek for a life insurance coverage coverage.
For instance, the corporate that held the deceased’s life insurance coverage coverage might have gone below or modified its identify. This will make it tougher to trace down the corporate that held the life insurance coverage coverage.
If a major period of time has handed for the reason that deceased’s demise and whenever you began investigating for a life insurance coverage coverage, this could additionally make it trickier to seek out the coverage.
At this level, will probably be thought-about unclaimed property, so you might have to look via a number of databases to seek out the life insurance coverage coverage.
When Occurs When You Can’t Discover an Previous Life Insurance coverage Coverage
In the event you can’t discover an previous life insurance coverage plan, guarantee it’s not listed as unclaimed property someplace. Double-check that you’ve the data appropriate, as effectively. (For extra info, learn our “How to Find an Unclaimed Life Insurance Policy“).
In the event you nonetheless can’t discover an previous life insurance coverage coverage, it’s potential that there will not be one obtainable. Maybe the deceased had a life insurance coverage coverage, however they let it lapse earlier than their demise, making the life insurance coverage coverage invalid.
Backside Line: Discovering Previous Life Insurance coverage Insurance policies
With regards to steps in discover life insurance coverage insurance policies, don’t be discouraged when you can’t discover a life insurance coverage coverage instantly. It might take a bit of labor and analysis to seek out an older life insurance coverage coverage, particularly if it has been labeled as unclaimed property.
Nonetheless, by gathering info and utilizing authorities insurance coverage websites and sources, you must be capable of uncover a coverage.We hope that our information on discover an previous life insurance coverage coverage has been useful.
In case you are trying to buy a life insurance coverage coverage your self, ensure that to maintain an in depth document of the coverage on your beneficiaries and skim our information on types of life insurance to seek out one of the best coverage on your wants.
We additionally provide useful info that solutions questions like “do you need a Social Security Number to get life insurance” to assist information you thru the appliance course of.
Regularly Requested Questions
How can I discover out if a beloved one had a insurance coverage coverage?
You possibly can contact your State Insurance coverage Division for assist discovering misplaced insurance coverage insurance policies.
Who can declare previous insurance coverage insurance policies?
When you have situated the coverage utilizing a insurance coverage coverage locator, this doesn’t robotically imply you get a insurance coverage payout. You have to be a listed beneficiary on a insurance coverage coverage to assert an previous insurance coverage coverage demise profit.
How can I verify if I’m a beneficiary of a insurance coverage coverage?
First, you will want to seek out out if there’s a insurance coverage coverage via an previous insurance coverage coverage search. Then, you possibly can contact the insurance coverage firm to see if you’re a listed beneficiary.
What info do I have to discover a misplaced insurance coverage coverage?
At a naked minimal, you will want the essential details about the deceased, so you are able to do fundamental searches like a insurance coverage coverage search by social safety quantity or a insurance coverage coverage search by identify and coverage quantity.
Can a insurance coverage coverage be situated after the policyholder’s demise?
Sure, you need to use a insurance coverage coverage locator to discover a coverage after the policyholder’s demise.
How lengthy does it take to discover a misplaced insurance coverage coverage?
When performing an previous insurance coverage coverage search, the time it takes is dependent upon what info you could have and which instruments you employ. For instance, if you’re utilizing a authorities website to discover a coverage, it could take as much as a number of months to obtain a reply.
What occurs if a insurance coverage coverage can’t be discovered?
If a insurance coverage coverage can’t be discovered with a insurance coverage coverage locator and no beneficiaries step ahead, then after a couple of years the insurance coverage firm will usually flip the cash over to the state.
How do I stop dropping monitor of my insurance coverage coverage sooner or later?
As a result of insurance coverage is a vital asset on your family members after you move, you will need to maintain monitor of it. Be certain to maintain coverage particulars and different related info in a secure spot that your beneficiaries will simply be capable of entry. Learn our information on “Is insurance an asset” to be taught extra.
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Tim Bain
Founder & Life Insurance coverage Agent
Tim Bain is a licensed life insurance coverage agent with 23 years of expertise serving to individuals defend their households and companies with time period life insurance coverage.
His insurance coverage experience has been featured in a number of publications, together with Investopedia and eFinancial. He additionally does digital marking and evaluation for KPS/3, a communications and marking agency situated in Nevada.
Founder & Life Insurance coverage Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We’re a free on-line useful resource for anybody concerned with studying extra about life insurance coverage. Our aim is to be an goal, third-party useful resource for every little thing life insurance-related. We replace our website frequently, and all content material is reviewed by life insurance coverage consultants.
