Where to start
Many families do not know whether their loved one had life insurance, or how many policies they held. People buy policies at different stages of life, through different employers, and sometimes through their mortgage lender or bank. None of these are automatically reported to anyone after a death.
There is no single database of all life insurance policies in the United States. But there are several effective ways to search, and using them together covers most of the ground.
The NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) operates a free search tool that checks participating life insurance and annuity companies' records against the deceased's information. This is the single most useful tool for finding unknown policies.
How to use it
- Go to eapps.naic.org/life-policy-locator
- Create an account with your name, mailing address, and email
- Enter the deceased person's information exactly as it appears on the death certificate:
- Social Security Number or ITIN
- Legal first and last name
- Date of birth
- Date of death
- Submit the request
What happens next
Your request goes into a secure database that participating insurance companies access to search their records. If a match is found and you are the beneficiary or authorized estate representative, the insurance company contacts you directly.
Expect this to take up to 90 business days. If no policy is found, or if you are not the beneficiary, you will not be contacted.
The NAIC does not hold any policy or beneficiary information itself. It only facilitates the search. The tool is free and there is no reason not to use it, but do not rely on it as your only method.
Check with employers
Group life insurance through an employer is one of the most commonly missed policies. Many companies provide a basic life insurance benefit (often one to two times annual salary) to employees at no cost. The employee may not have thought to mention it because they did not pay for it.
Contact the HR or benefits department of:
- The deceased's current or most recent employer
- Any previous employers where they worked for an extended period
- Any union they belonged to (unions often provide group life benefits to members)
Ask specifically about group life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage, and any supplemental life insurance the employee may have purchased through the workplace.
If the employer has been acquired or closed, try the Department of Labor at 1-866-444-3272. They can help locate pension and benefit records for defunct companies.
Search state unclaimed property
When an insurance company knows a policyholder has died but cannot locate the beneficiary, the death benefit is eventually turned over to the state's unclaimed property division. Billions of dollars in life insurance benefits sit in state unclaimed property funds.
Where to search
- MissingMoney.com searches most states' unclaimed property databases at once
- Unclaimed.org (run by the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators) links to each state's individual search tool
- Your state's treasury or comptroller website often has its own search
Search every state where the deceased lived, worked, or may have purchased insurance. Claims processes vary by state, but you will generally need a death certificate and proof of your relationship or legal authority.
Search the deceased's records
A physical and digital search of the deceased's papers often turns up evidence of policies that no database will find.
What to look for
- Policy documents. Check safe deposit boxes, filing cabinets, desk drawers, and fireproof safes.
- Bank and credit card statements. Look for recurring payments to insurance companies. Monthly or quarterly debits to companies like MetLife, Prudential, New York Life, Northwestern Mutual, or State Farm may indicate a policy.
- Tax returns. Form 1099-INT or 1099-R from an insurance company can indicate a policy with cash value or an annuity.
- Mail. Watch incoming mail for several months. Annual statements, premium notices, and policy anniversary letters may arrive.
- Email. Search the deceased's email for messages from insurance companies, agents, or brokers.
People to ask
- The deceased's insurance agent (check auto and home insurance; the same agent may have sold a life policy)
- Their financial advisor, accountant, or attorney
- Their spouse or close family members who may know about policies purchased years ago
What to do when you find a policy
Once you identify a policy, contact the insurance company's claims department. You will need:
- The policy number (if you have it)
- A certified death certificate
- A completed claim form (the insurer provides this)
- Your photo ID and proof of your identity as the beneficiary or estate representative
Most life insurance claims are paid within 30 to 60 days of receiving complete documentation. If the payout is large, the insurer may offer to hold the funds in an interest-bearing account rather than issuing a lump-sum check. You are not required to accept that arrangement.
For details on how life insurance payouts intersect with estate settlement, see our guide to survivor benefits and taxes.
Tracking all of the financial, legal, and administrative steps after a death is easier with a centralized checklist. Use our free after-death checklist to stay organized.
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Open the ChecklistThis guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.
Last reviewed: 2026-03-21