How to Locate Life Insurance Policies when a Family Member or Friend Passes Away

Last week I had a client loose a friend and they were assisting the family with his estate and wanted to share some of the information I passed on. Losing a loved one is an emotionally challenging time, and managing their financial affairs can add additional stress. The step we were focusing on was determining whether the deceased had any life insurance policies and, if so, claiming the benefits. Unfortunately, many beneficiaries are unaware of existing policies or do not know how to find them.

In this guide, we’ll walk through key strategies for locating a deceased family member’s life insurance policies, including utilizing the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator tool, a valuable resource provided by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

1. Check Personal and Financial Records

The first step in locating a life insurance policy is to review the deceased’s personal records. Here are some common places to check:

• Bank Statements – Look for automatic premium payments to insurance companies.
• Mail & Email Correspondence – Search for insurance-related letters, premium notices, or policy updates.
• Tax Returns – Life insurance policies with cash value often generate annual tax documents (e.g., IRS Form 1099-INT).
• Safe Deposit Box – Many individuals store important documents in a safe deposit box at their bank.
• Home Files – Check filing cabinets, safes, or other storage places where the deceased kept financial records.

2. Contact Past Employers and Professional Organizations

Many employers offer group life insurance as part of their employee benefits. If your loved one was employed at the time of death, or had previously worked for a company with a retirement plan, it’s worth contacting their HR department to inquire about any life insurance benefits.

Additionally, professional organizations, labor unions, or membership groups (e.g., alumni associations, military groups) sometimes provide life insurance coverage to their members.

3. Use the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator

If you are unable to find policy documents, the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator is an excellent tool to help locate lost or unclaimed policies. The NAIC is a regulatory organization that assists consumers with insurance-related matters.

How to Use the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator

The NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator is a free service that allows beneficiaries to search for policies in the deceased’s name.

Here’s how it works:

1. Submit a request – You’ll need to provide personal details about the deceased, including their full name, date of birth, and Social Security number.
2. Insurers search their records – Participating life insurance companies will check their databases for a match.
3. Notification – If a policy is found, the insurance company will directly contact the beneficiary.

Important Notes:

• The process may take up to 90 days for insurers to respond.
• You will not receive direct access to policy details—only the insurer will contact the listed beneficiary.
• If no policy is found, you will not receive a notification.

4. Contact Life Insurance Companies Directly

If you know or suspect which company issued a policy, you can contact the insurer directly. You’ll need to provide the deceased’s information and a copy of the death certificate to verify the claim.

5. Check State Unclaimed Property Databases

If a life insurance benefit was never claimed, funds may have been turned over to the state’s unclaimed property division. You can search for missing funds at:

• National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) – A free resource to locate unclaimed life insurance benefits and other assets.

Final Thoughts

Finding a deceased family member’s life insurance policy can be a time-consuming process, but it’s crucial for ensuring that beneficiaries receive the financial support provided for them. The NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator provides a valuable tool to assist in this search, especially when other records are incomplete.

If you are struggling with this process, consult a financial planner, estate attorney, or insurance professional for guidance. Proper documentation and proactive searches can ensure that no benefits go unclaimed.