How to Find a Lost Life Insurance Policy of a Deceased Loved One

When someone close to you passes away, your first thoughts won’t be centered around their life insurance policy. But, when the thought does come about, you may feel lost and not know where to begin. You know they had a life insurance policy, but you don’t have a copy of the policy, and you don’t even know what company holds the policy. So, what now? This is a common occurrence. And, don’t worry, all is far from lost. 

Without the proper documentation, your search might be more frustrating than necessary, so come in prepared. First, make sure that if you were to call anyone for information, you might need to supply the person’s death certificate to get the information you need. In certain circumstances, you might also need to be that person’s estate executor. When you’re ready, here are a few steps you can take to find a lost life insurance policy when you lose a loved one. 

Contact Their Employer

Start in the most obvious places first. Many employees take part in a group life insurance policy that was part of their workplace benefits. Contact the human resources department of the person’s employer to inquire about the possibility of an insurance policy. They may at least be able to point you in the right direction. 

Check with Their Insurance Agent

Another potential resource is the person’s insurance agent. If they mentioned a particular agency they used for auto or homeowners insurance, it’s possible they were also sold a life insurance policy as well. Try searching through a wallet, purse, or other personal items to find their insurance cards to point you in the direction of the correct agency. 

Check Their Mailbox and Safe Deposit Box

If they were paying for their insurance monthly, you might be able to find a statement or bill in the mailbox. However, this may be futile if they paid their insurance annually and had recently paid the bill. Beyond the mailbox, see if there are any stacks of mail in the house in desk drawers or any other place one might keep records. It’s also possible that they have a safe deposit box at the bank where they kept a copy of their policy. 

Search Through Paperwork

In most houses, you will find a file cabinet, desk, or other catch-all space in which a person has stored important documents that they knew they might need one day. Search through all the major spots to find paperwork that could include the insurance policy—and likely includes other information that you will need later, as well. 

Contact Their Financial Advisor

It’s very common for a financial advisor to be a licensed life insurance agent to help their clients prepare their estates through comprehensive strategies. If your loved one worked with a financial advisor, they might have taken out an insurance policy with them as well. 

Search for the Policy Via Online Tools

Depending on the amount of time that has passed since your loved one passed away, the insurance money may have been turned over to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators. You might also try a tool powered by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, called the Life Insurance Policy Locator Service. Additionally, check the Missing Money website to search for free and file a claim if you were to identify the policy there. And, finally, as a last-ditch effort, if there is any chance that the insurance policy originated in Canada, you can search the Canadian Ombudservice for Life and Health Insurance.

Do you need help getting the life insurance coverage you need? Contact us today to get started!

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Jeffrey T. Dobyns

CFP®, CLU, CHFC

President, SageSpring 

Jeffrey T. Dobyns

President, SageSpring 

Beyond crunching numbers and investment strategies, at SageSpring, we’re about building relationships. When you encounter Founder & President of SageSpring, Jeff Dobyns, it’s easy to understand why this is at the very heart of who we are as a firm. You won’t find stuffy formalities with Jeff; instead, you can expect to find him sharing a warm smile, communicating a compelling vision, or patiently untangling life’s complex challenges with clients. He believes in truly getting to know clients, understanding their aspirations and priorities, and navigating their financial plans with a tailored, comprehensive approach. Our team members have often been caught taking notes on Jeff’s effortless relationship skills from a distance, and we admire them for striving to learn from one of the best. 

Jeff’s financial expertise and wisdom are the perfect match to his innate people skills. Jeff holds the prestigious CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM certification, Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®), and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChLU®) designations, and has held executive positions with financial planning firms for more than two decades. 

His dedication extends beyond the office to the boardroom and the local community, where Jeff is passionate about giving back. He serves as Chairman of the Board of Men of Valor, a prison ministry and mentoring program. Jeff also serves on the board of Send Musicians to Prison, which shares hope, healing and restoration with the imprisoned through musicians & artists. Jeff actively supports other initiatives in the community by sitting on the board of The Signatry of Middle Tennessee and the Halftime Institute of Nashville. 

Witnessing his four children, Gracyn, Hunter, Tanner, and Logan, excel on the field is almost just as rewarding, if not more, than celebrating the victories of seeing his clients overcome obstacles and build wealth. Spending weekends boating on the lake, hiking mountain trails, and fishing with his family are the moments Jeff cherishes most. It’s this grounded perspective that reveals the true meaning of wealth for Jeff: not just numbers on a page, but the freedom to create experiences that enrich your life and the lives of those you love. When you choose the Dobyns McMillin Wealth Team, you choose more than financial expertise. You choose a partner who champions your dreams, celebrates your victories, and walks besides you on the path to achieving your unique goals.

**Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER TM, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.