How do I find out if there is an existing life insurance policy?
Michael Gray
Updated on February 13, 2026
There is some sleuthing you can do to help you find out if there is a policy in place:
- Obtain the death certificate.
- Talk to family and friends.
- Search personal belongings.
- Check mail/email.
- Online search.
- Review the death certificate.
- Talk to bankers, financial advisors or insurers.
How do I find out if someone has a life insurance policy in California?
Check with the decedent’s auto or home insurance agent as they may have purchased life insurance through them. Review the decedent’s income tax records. Check the State Controller’s Office Life Insurance Settlement Property Search engine or call them at 800-992-4647.
How do I trace an insurance policy?
Tracing a home insurance policy or other insurance policy
- speak to your insurance broker or financial adviser who may be able to help you to trace your policy.
- check your bank account / credit card statements for evidence of payments to an insurer.
How do I find lost insurance policies?
Here are some strategies to help simplify your search.
- Look for insurance related documents.
- Contact financial advisors.
- Review life insurance applications.
- Contact previous employers.
- Check bank statements.
- Check the mail.
- Review income tax returns.
- Contact state insurance departments.
Can someone take a life insurance policy out on you without you knowing?
GIVING CONSENT When you’re getting life insurance, the person whose life will be insured is required to sign the application and give consent. So the answer is no, you can’t get life insurance on someone without telling them, they must consent to it.
What happens if beneficiary does not claim life insurance?
Without a listed beneficiary to claim the death benefit, the death benefit is paid out to the estate of the deceased. If this is the case, it can take significantly longer for the proceeds to get to the insured’s family, not to mention, they will, most likely, be subject to estate taxes.
How can you find out if someone has an insurance policy on you?
To find out if someone has taken out an insurance policy on you, go through your personal documents for life insurance coverage or contact your state insurance department. Work with the insurance company to resolve the issue, if you come to know that someone has taken out a life insurance policy on you.
Do insurance companies look for beneficiaries?
2. The life insurance company doesn’t know the insured has died. Life insurance companies typically do not know when a policyholder dies until they are informed of his or her death, usually by the policy’s beneficiary.
What happens to unclaimed life insurance policies?
Unclaimed life insurance policy proceeds are turned over to the state in which the insured is last known to have resided (often with interest) after a certain number of years have passed, following state laws on unclaimed property.
Is a life insurance policy public record?
Are life insurance policies public record? Life insurance policies are not usually public record, but they can be found on sites that aggregate records of unclaimed money in each state.
Can someone get life insurance on you without you knowing?
When you’re getting life insurance, the person whose life will be insured is required to sign the application and give consent. So the answer is no, you can’t get life insurance on someone without telling them, they must consent to it.
How do I find out if there is a life insurance policy in my name?
Can I cash in an old life insurance policy?
Yes, cashing out life insurance is possible. The best ways to cash out a life insurance policy are to leverage cash value withdrawals, take out a loan against your policy, surrender your policy, or sell your policy in a life settlement or viatical settlement.
How to find a deceased life insurance policy?
If you find a life insurance policy for a deceased relative but cannot locate the company, you can call our Consumer Hotline at 1-800-927-4357 or check the Company Profile on our Website to obtain address and phone contact information.
How can I find out if my life insurance policy is still active?
“I wouldn’t recommend doing this first, but if you’re pretty certain there’s an insurance policy out there that belongs to you, you can pay a $75 fee for a search,” says Weisbart. Meanwhile, once you find the insurance company, contact them to see if the policy is still active.
How can I find out if I lost my whole life insurance policy?
If the insurer had a life insurance policy with a cash value component, such as whole life insurance, you can also check his or her tax returns for evidence of any interest earned on the policy or dividends paid out by the insurance company. You can also check your state’s Department of Insurance (DOI) website.
How can I find out the name of my life insurance company?
Check their bank statements, which could show monthly or annual premium payments that reference the insurance company by name. Other records like a checkbook register or canceled checks could also help you find the name of the insurance company.