What You Ought to Know
- Step one in methods to 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’s one out there
- If a major period of time has handed because the deceased’s loss of life, the coverage could also be listed as unclaimed property
If your beloved didn’t depart a transparent file of a life insurance coverage coverage, it may be troublesome to know methods to discover an previous life insurance coverage coverage. We break down the primary steps on methods to discover out if somebody has life insurance coverage, so you’ll be able to simply discover out whether or not the deceased had an lively 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 coverage loss of life advantages, which can come within the type of a lump sum or a number of funds.
With a purpose to discover a life insurance coverage coverage and potential loss of life profit payouts, learn our information under.
The way to Seek for Previous Life Insurance coverage Insurance policies
There are a number of methods to search out an previous life insurance coverage coverage, however among the finest methods is to contact your State Insurance coverage Division and use its life insurance coverage coverage locator.
You’ll need the deceased’s loss of life certificates and social safety quantity. Beneath, we’ve got listed the contact info for every State Insurance coverage Division.
Insurance coverage Division Contact Data by State
| State | Insurance coverage Division | Telephone 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 Providers | (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 Providers | (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 Workplaces 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’ll be able to name your state’s division immediately, or you’ll be able to 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 have the ability to uncover in case you had been listed as a life insurance coverage beneficiary on the coverage.
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Utilizing a Life Insurance coverage Coverage Locator
Once you contact your State Insurance coverage Division, it’s useful to have gathered info on the coverage if potential. This may assist the State Insurance coverage Division find the deceased’s life insurance coverage coverage if one is to be discovered.
The coverage info it’s best to search for is as follows:
Steps to Seek for Previous Life Insurance coverage Insurance policies
| Steps | Data to Search for |
|---|---|
| Search the deceased’s paperwork | Proof of coverage and related info |
| Search by way of paper and digital recordsdata | Insurance coverage-related paperwork |
| Verify financial institution statements | Checks or automated drafts to life insurance coverage firms |
| Verify mail and electronic mail | Premium or dividend notices, annual notices |
| Evaluate tax returns | Document of curiosity revenue or bills paid to insurance coverage firms |
| Verify utility paperwork | Checklist of different life insurance coverage insurance policies |
Whereas it might take some time to dig by way of paperwork to search out the required paperwork, keep in mind that it’s a lot simpler and quicker to your State Insurance coverage Division to search out an insurance coverage coverage when you’ve got not less than among the documentation listed above proving that there’s an insurance coverage coverage in existence.
In case you have any confusion about how life insurance coverage insurance policies and payouts work when on the lookout for a coverage, learn our information on how does life insurance coverage work for extra info.
Contacting the State Insurance coverage Division
It’s also possible to contact the State Insurance coverage Division in case you need assistance finding a life insurance coverage coverage as a result of some info is lacking. Whilst you don’t must know all of the coverage info, like if the deceased had a time period life or everlasting life insurance coverage coverage, it’s best to know fundamental details about the deceased and the insurance coverage firm.
Beneath, we’ve listed some situations the place you may need bother discovering misplaced life insurance coverage due to an absence of fundamental info, in addition to what it’s best to 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 title or bought | Recommendations on discovering insurance coverage firms that underwent modifications |
| Firm went bankrupt | Contact the state life and well being warranty affiliation |
| Coverage could have been bought in Canada | Attain out to the Canadian Ombudservice for Life and Well being Insurance coverage |
| Payment-based companies | Providers supplied by MIB and personal firms for a charge |
Troubleshooting by following the steps above will enable you along with your previous insurance coverage coverage search.
Suggestions for Discovering an Previous Life Insurance coverage Coverage
In case you aren’t certain the place to start out along with your search, check out our ideas under on methods to discover out if somebody has life insurance coverage.
Steps to Discover a Misplaced Life Insurance coverage Coverage
| Steps | Data to Search for |
|---|---|
| Undergo the deceased’s paperwork | Life insurance coverage coverage amongst paperwork, storage, or secure deposit field |
| Verify digital recordsdata | Laptop, exterior onerous drive, or cloud system |
| Search financial institution statements | Funds or checks to life insurance coverage firms |
| Evaluate tax returns | Document of curiosity revenue or bills paid to insurance coverage firms |
| Verify electronic mail or mail | Premium cost reminders, dividend notices, or advertising and marketing supplies |
| Use NAIC Life Insurance coverage Coverage Locator instrument | Relationship to the deceased and related private particulars |
| Contact state’s insurance coverage division | Primary details about the deceased and a duplicate of the loss of life certificates |
| Verify 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 many others. | Inquire a couple of life insurance coverage coverage in place |
| Attempt the MIB Group | Database seek for life insurance coverage utility info |
As you’ll be able to see, there are many methods to gather the knowledge wanted. Though some strategies could also be extra time-consuming, the knowledge gathered will enable you decide whether or not there was an lively life insurance coverage coverage.
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Distinctive Challenges to Discovering Previous Life Insurance coverage
Typically, the challenges that come up when on the lookout for an previous life insurance coverage coverage should do with modified info or a major lapse of time between the deceased’s loss of life and the seek for a life insurance coverage coverage.
For instance, the corporate that held the deceased’s life insurance coverage coverage could have gone below or modified its title. This may make it tougher to trace down the corporate that held the life insurance coverage coverage.
If a major period of time has handed because the deceased’s loss of life and if you began investigating for a life insurance coverage coverage, this may additionally make it trickier to search out the coverage.
At this level, will probably be thought of unclaimed property, so you will have to look by way of a number of databases to search out the life insurance coverage coverage.
When Occurs When You Can’t Discover an Previous Life Insurance coverage Coverage
In case 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 knowledge appropriate, as nicely. (For extra info, learn our “The way to Discover an Unclaimed Life Insurance coverage Coverage“).
In case you nonetheless can’t discover an previous life insurance coverage coverage, it’s potential that there is probably not one out there. Maybe the deceased had a life insurance coverage coverage, however they let it lapse earlier than their loss of life, making the life insurance coverage coverage invalid.
Backside Line: Discovering Previous Life Insurance coverage Insurance policies
With regards to steps in methods to discover life insurance coverage insurance policies, don’t be discouraged in case you can’t discover a life insurance coverage coverage instantly. It will possibly take a bit of labor and analysis to search out an older life insurance coverage coverage, particularly if it has been labeled as unclaimed property.
Nevertheless, by accumulating info and utilizing authorities insurance coverage websites and sources, it’s best to have the ability to uncover a coverage.We hope that our information on methods to discover an previous life insurance coverage coverage has been useful.
In case you are trying to buy a life insurance coverage coverage your self, be sure to maintain an in depth file of the coverage to your beneficiaries and browse our information on forms of life insurance coverage to search out one of the best coverage to your wants.
We additionally provide useful info that solutions questions like “do you want a Social Safety Quantity to get life insurance coverage” to assist information you thru the applying course of.
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Ceaselessly Requested Questions
How can I discover out if a beloved one had a insurance coverage coverage?
You’ll be able to contact your State Insurance coverage Division for assist discovering misplaced insurance coverage insurance policies.
Who can declare previous insurance coverage insurance policies?
In case you have situated the coverage utilizing a insurance coverage coverage locator, this doesn’t routinely 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 loss of life profit.
How can I test if I’m a beneficiary of a insurance coverage coverage?
First, you will have to search out out if there’s a insurance coverage coverage by way of an previous insurance coverage coverage search. Then, you’ll be able to contact the insurance coverage firm to see if you’re a listed beneficiary.
What info do I must discover a misplaced insurance coverage coverage?
At a naked minimal, you will have 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 title and coverage quantity.
Can a insurance coverage coverage be situated after the policyholder’s loss of life?
Sure, you should utilize a insurance coverage coverage locator to discover a coverage after the policyholder’s loss of life.
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 determined by what info you will have and which instruments you employ. For instance, if you’re utilizing a authorities web site to discover a coverage, it might 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 number of years the insurance coverage firm will typically flip the cash over to the state.
How do I stop shedding observe of my insurance coverage coverage sooner or later?
As a result of insurance coverage is a vital asset to your family members after you go, it is very important maintain observe of it. Be sure to maintain coverage particulars and different related info in a secure spot that your beneficiaries will simply have the ability to entry. Learn our information on “Is insurance coverage 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 folks 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 Tips: We’re a free on-line useful resource for anybody fascinated by studying extra about life insurance coverage. Our purpose is to be an goal, third-party useful resource for all the pieces life insurance-related. We replace our web site recurrently, and all content material is reviewed by life insurance coverage consultants.
