What You Should Know
- The first step in how to find out if someone has life insurance is to gather relevant information
- State Insurance Departments can help you locate a life insurance policy if there is one available
- If a significant amount of time has passed since the deceased’s death, the policy may be listed as unclaimed property
If your loved one didn’t leave a clear record of a life insurance policy, it can be difficult to know how to find an old life insurance policy. We break down the main steps on how to find out if someone has life insurance, so you can easily find out whether the deceased had an active life insurance policy.
Once you find the life insurance policy, it is then a matter of dealing with any life insurance death benefits, which may come in the form of a lump sum or multiple payments.
In order to find a life insurance policy and potential death benefit payouts, read our guide below.
How to Search for Old Life Insurance Policies
There are a few ways to find an old life insurance policy, but one of the best ways is to contact your State Insurance Department and use its life insurance policy locator.
You will need the deceased’s death certificate and social security number. Below, we have listed the contact information for each State Insurance Department.
Insurance Department Contact Information by State
| State | Insurance Department | Phone Number | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Alabama Department of Insurance | (334) 241-4141 | www.aldoi.gov |
| Alaska | Alaska Division of Insurance | (907) 269-7900 | www.commerce.alaska.gov/ins |
| Arizona | Arizona Department of Insurance | (602) 364-3100 | insurance.az.gov |
| Arkansas | Arkansas Insurance Department | (501) 371-2600 | insurance.arkansas.gov |
| California | California Department of Insurance | (800) 927-4357 | www.insurance.ca.gov |
| Colorado | Colorado Division of Insurance | (303) 894-7499 | doi.colorado.gov |
| Connecticut | Connecticut Insurance Department | (860) 297-3800 | portal.ct.gov/cid |
| Delaware | Delaware Insurance Department | (302) 674-7300 | insurance.delaware.gov |
| Florida | Florida Office of Insurance Regulation | (850) 413-3140 | www.floir.com |
| Georgia | Georgia Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner | (404) 656-2070 | www.oci.ga.gov |
| Hawaii | Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs | (808) 586-2790 | cca.hawaii.gov/ins |
| Idaho | Idaho Department of Insurance | (208) 334-4250 | www.doi.idaho.gov |
| Illinois | Illinois Department of Insurance | (312) 814-2420 | insurance.illinois.gov |
| Indiana | Indiana Department of Insurance | (317) 232-2385 | www.in.gov/idoi |
| Iowa | Iowa Insurance Division | (515) 281-5705 | iid.iowa.gov |
| Kansas | Kansas Insurance Department | (785) 296-3071 | insurance.kansas.gov |
| Kentucky | Kentucky Department of Insurance | (502) 564-3630 | insurance.ky.gov |
| Louisiana | Louisiana Department of Insurance | (225) 342-5900 | ldi.la.gov |
| Maine | Maine Bureau of Insurance | (207) 624-8475 | www.maine.gov/insurance |
| Maryland | Maryland Insurance Administration | (410) 468-2000 | insurance.maryland.gov |
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts Division of Insurance | (617) 521-7794 | www.mass.gov/doi |
| Michigan | Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services | (877) 999-6442 | www.michigan.gov/difs |
| Minnesota | Minnesota Department of Commerce | (651) 539-1500 | mn.gov/commerce |
| Mississippi | Mississippi Insurance Department | (601) 359-3569 | www.mid.ms.gov |
| Missouri | Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance | (573) 751-4126 | insurance.mo.gov |
| Montana | Montana State Auditor’s Office | (406) 444-2040 | csimt.gov |
| Nebraska | Nebraska Department of Insurance | (402) 471-2201 | doi.nebraska.gov |
| Nevada | Nevada Division of Insurance | (702) 486-4009 | doi.nv.gov |
| New Hampshire | New Hampshire Insurance Department | (603) 271-2261 | www.nh.gov/insurance |
| New Jersey | New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance | (609) 292-7272 | www.state.nj.us/dobi |
| New Mexico | New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance | (505) 827-4601 | www.osi.state.nm.us |
| New York | New York State Department of Financial Services | (800) 342-3736 | www.dfs.ny.gov |
| North Carolina | North Carolina Department of Insurance | (855) 408-1212 | www.ncdoi.gov |
| North Dakota | North Dakota Insurance Department | (701) 328-2440 | www.insurance.nd.gov |
| Ohio | Ohio Department of Insurance | (614) 644-2658 | www.insurance.ohio.gov |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma Insurance Department | (405) 521-2828 | www.oid.ok.gov |
| Oregon | Oregon Division of Financial Regulation | (888) 877-4894 | dfr.oregon.gov |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania Insurance Department | (877) 881-6388 | www.insurance.pa.gov |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation | (401) 462-9520 | www.dbr.ri.gov |
| South Carolina | South Carolina Department of Insurance | (803) 737-6160 | www.doi.sc.gov |
| South Dakota | South Dakota Division of Insurance | (605) 773-3563 | dlr.sd.gov/insurance |
| Tennessee | Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance | (615) 741-2241 | www.tn.gov/commerce/insurance |
| Texas | Texas Department of Insurance | (512) 676-6000 | www.tdi.texas.gov |
| Utah | Utah Insurance Department | (801) 538-3800 | insurance.utah.gov |
| Vermont | Vermont Department of Financial Regulation | (802) 828-3301 | dfr.vermont.gov |
| Virginia | Virginia State Corporation Commission | (804) 371-9741 | scc.virginia.gov/boi |
| Washington | Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner | (800) 562-6900 | www.insurance.wa.gov |
| Washington D.C. | Washington D.C. Department of Insurance | (202) 727-8000 | disb.dc.gov |
| West Virginia | West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner | (304) 558-3386 | insurance.wv.gov |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance | (608) 266-3585 | oci.wi.gov |
| Wyoming | Wyoming Department of Insurance | (307) 777-7401 | doi.wyo.gov |
Read more:
You can call your state’s department directly, or you can visit the website for help locating a life insurance policy. Once you find the life insurance policy, you will also be able to discover if you were listed as a life insurance beneficiary on the policy.
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Using a Life Insurance Policy Locator
When you contact your State Insurance Department, it is helpful to have gathered information on the policy if possible. This will help the State Insurance Department locate the deceased’s life insurance policy if one is to be found.
The policy information you should look for is as follows:
Steps to Search for Old Life Insurance Policies
| Steps | Information to Look for |
|---|---|
| Search the deceased’s documents | Evidence of policy and relevant information |
| Search through paper and digital files | Insurance-related documents |
| Check bank statements | Checks or automatic drafts to life insurance companies |
| Check mail and email | Premium or dividend notices, annual notices |
| Review tax returns | Record of interest income or expenses paid to insurance companies |
| Check application documents | List of other life insurance policies |
While it may take a while to dig through paperwork to find the necessary documents, bear in mind that it is much easier and faster for your State Insurance Department to find an insurance policy if you have at least some of the documentation listed above proving that there is an insurance policy in existence.
If you have any confusion about how life insurance policies and payouts work when looking for a policy, read our guide on how does life insurance work for more information.
Contacting the State Insurance Department
You can also contact the State Insurance Department if you need help locating a life insurance policy because some information is missing. While you don’t need to know all the policy information, like if the deceased had a term life or permanent life insurance policy, you should know basic information about the deceased and the insurance company.
Below, we’ve listed some instances where you might have trouble finding lost life insurance because of a lack of basic information, as well as what you should do in each case.
Methods of Locating an Existing Life Insurance Policy
| Methods | Steps |
|---|---|
| NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator Service | Submit a request with relevant information |
| State’s Unclaimed Property Office | Search the state’s unclaimed property database |
| Insurance company changed its name or sold | Tips on finding insurance companies that underwent changes |
| Company went bankrupt | Contact the state life and health guaranty association |
| Policy may have been purchased in Canada | Reach out to the Canadian Ombudservice for Life and Health Insurance |
| Fee-based services | Services offered by MIB and private companies for a fee |
Troubleshooting by following the steps above will help you with your old insurance policy search.
Tips for Finding an Old Life Insurance Policy
If you aren’t sure where to start with your search, take a look at our tips below on how to find out if someone has life insurance.
Steps to Find a Lost Life Insurance Policy
| Steps | Information to Look for |
|---|---|
| Go through the deceased’s documents | Life insurance policy among paperwork, storage, or safe deposit box |
| Check digital files | Computer, external hard drive, or cloud system |
| Search bank statements | Payments or checks to life insurance companies |
| Review tax returns | Record of interest income or expenses paid to insurance companies |
| Check email or mail | Premium payment reminders, dividend notices, or marketing materials |
| Use NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator tool | Relationship to the deceased and relevant personal details |
| Contact state’s insurance department | Basic information about the deceased and a copy of the death certificate |
| Check unclaimed property programs | State programs for unclaimed life insurance policies |
| Reach out to the deceased’s employer | Benefits or HR department for information on existing policies |
| Consult financial advisors, accountants, etc. | Inquire about a life insurance policy in place |
| Try the MIB Group | Database search for life insurance application information |
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to collect the information needed. Although some methods may be more time-consuming, the information gathered will help you determine whether there was an active life insurance policy.
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Unique Challenges to Finding Old Life Insurance
Often, the challenges that arise when looking for an old life insurance policy have to do with changed information or a significant lapse of time between the deceased’s death and the search for a life insurance policy.
For example, the company that held the deceased’s life insurance policy may have gone under or changed its name. This can make it harder to track down the company that held the life insurance policy.
If a significant amount of time has passed since the deceased’s death and when you started investigating for a life insurance policy, this can also make it trickier to find the policy.
At this point, it will be considered unclaimed property, so you may have to search through multiple databases to find the life insurance policy.
When Happens When You Can’t Find an Old Life Insurance Policy
If you can’t find an old life insurance plan, ensure it’s not listed as unclaimed property somewhere. Double-check that you have the information correct, as well. (For more information, read our “How to Find an Unclaimed Life Insurance Policy“).
If you still can’t find an old life insurance policy, it is possible that there may not be one available. Perhaps the deceased had a life insurance policy, but they let it lapse before their death, making the life insurance policy invalid.
Bottom Line: Finding Old Life Insurance Policies
When it comes to steps in how to find life insurance policies, don’t be discouraged if you can’t find a life insurance policy right away. It can take a bit of work and research to find an older life insurance policy, especially if it has been labeled as unclaimed property.
However, by collecting information and using government insurance sites and resources, you should be able to discover a policy.We hope that our guide on how to find an old life insurance policy has been helpful.
If you are looking to purchase a life insurance policy yourself, make sure to keep a detailed record of the policy for your beneficiaries and read our guide on types of life insurance to find the best policy for your needs.
We also offer helpful information that answers questions like “do you need a Social Security Number to get life insurance” to help guide you through the application process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I find out if a loved one had a insurance policy?
You can contact your State Insurance Department for help finding lost insurance policies.
Who can claim old insurance policies?
If you have located the policy using a insurance policy locator, this doesn’t automatically mean you get a insurance payout. You must be a listed beneficiary on a insurance policy to claim an old insurance policy death benefit.
How can I check if I am a beneficiary of a insurance policy?
First, you will need to find out if there is a insurance policy through an old insurance policy search. Then, you can contact the insurance company to see if you are a listed beneficiary.
What information do I need to find a lost insurance policy?
At a bare minimum, you will need the basic information about the deceased, so you can do basic searches like a insurance policy search by social security number or a insurance policy search by name and policy number.
Can a insurance policy be located after the policyholder’s death?
Yes, you can use a insurance policy locator to find a policy after the policyholder’s death.
How long does it take to find a lost insurance policy?
When performing an old insurance policy search, the time it takes depends on what information you have and which tools you use. For example, if you are using a government site to find a policy, it may take up to several months to receive a reply.
What happens if a insurance policy cannot be found?
If a insurance policy can’t be found with a insurance policy locator and no beneficiaries step forward, then after a few years the insurance company will generally turn the money over to the state.
How do I prevent losing track of my insurance policy in the future?
Because insurance is an important asset for your loved ones after you pass, it is important to keep track of it. Make sure to keep policy details and other relevant information in a safe spot that your beneficiaries will easily be able to access. Read our guide on “Is insurance an asset” to learn more.
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Tim Bain
Founder & Life Insurance Agent
Tim Bain is a licensed life insurance agent with 23 years of experience helping people protect their families and businesses with term life insurance.
His insurance expertise has been featured in several publications, including Investopedia and eFinancial. He also does digital marking and analysis for KPS/3, a communications and marking firm located in Nevada.
Founder & Life Insurance Agent
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