if you are the benificiary on someones life insurance policy, but you don't know the co. how do u find out ?

Question

I was made the benificiary on a life insurance policy that my dad had for me. But I don't remember the name of the company so I can call and ask. Is there a way to research it? There is no one left to ask in the family. My dad was not married.

Answer 1

I'm so sorry for your loss. What a terrible time to have to even think about an insurance matter. Here's my advice:

1) Call his employer (even if your dad was retired) and ask whether he purchased group life insurance there. Some retirees can keep their group coverage and others must convert to an individual policy. But at least his employer could tell you which insurer they were using when your dad retired so you can contact them;
2) Check his bank statements and cancelled checks for at least the past year to see if he was making any electronic or check payments to an insurer;
3) Contact EACH of his creditors (mortgate company, car financing company, credit card(s), etc.) and ask whether he had mortgage or credit life insurance. Before you call, be sure to check his mortgage bill, which may list whether he purchased mortgage life insurance. Credit insurance will probably not show up on the automobile bill, since many times the premium is paid in full at the time the loan is taken out;
4) Check his safety deposit box and personal papers;
5) Read his will, which may sometimes refer to insurance policies;
6) Ask his close friends, who may be able to give you information about insurance he mentioned to them;
7) If all else fails, you may be able to obtain limited information from the Medical Information Bureau. This is a company that acts as a database for medical information reported on applications for life insurance, and for information discovered by insurance companies during the underwriting process. You can go to: http://www.mib.com/html/request_your_record.html and click on "Policy Locator Service" at the bottom of the page.

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

Other than calling every life insurance company? Not that i've ever heard of.

Its one of the greatest money makers of all time. When someone loses the info on their life policy and cant ever cash it in. I'm sure theres billions in profit a year for policies that are just forgotten.

One thing i'd start with though is try and find out who insured his home and cars over the last 40 years. Call them to see if they have anything. Also try and find any paperwork he might have, possibly withdrawls that would be comming from his accounts for that type of thing. You might be able to get copies of old statements from his bank, generally up to 7 years back and look for payments to insurance companies.

If you think it was a large policy it might be worth it.. if its small who knows if it is or not.

You could also try and hire a Private Investigator

Answer 3

Whoever the executor of the estate is, can access his banking records and personal records. Old checking account statements should have the name of the company on it. If there is no estate, or no executor, you can just dig through his old papers, but the court will have to appoint you executor in order for the bank to release those records.

Keep in mind, it only pays if the policy was active at his death. Also, if it's through his employer, just ask the HR department - but it normally doesn't carry over past employment.

There is no "central database" for you to, for example, put in his name and find out where his life is insured.

Answer 4

There is no list of everyone that has insurance out there. You would have to have the policy.

If he has an insurance policy, there is a paper trail somewhere. He would have been paying premiums. Check his records and see who he was paying the premiums to.

Answer 5

first off, my most sincere condolences on the loss of your father. this is not something i have experienced yet but i can see how devastating it can be. i hope you have many wonderful memories of him!!!

i also wanted to chime in with a plea to everyone who reads this Q&A. dont let this happen to the people you love. first, if you get financial products, dont buy them off the internet. the internet is not going to be there to help your family. a professional who helps you with investments and insurance WILL be there to answer all of these questions for you and help you with all the subsequent paperwork. finally, whether you use a professional or not, have all of your important papers in a fireproof safe in your home. it need not be expensive but it will save your family tons of grief and angst later.

Answer 6

One source may be the attorney who did you Dad's will. Other sources may be the court records from when his estate went thru probate.
The state insurance comissioner where you live may also have tips or connections to get you taken care of.

Answer 7

go check his financial statements to see if he made any payments to any insurance company. financial statements such as bank statement, credit card, insurance, etc.

also check his pay stubs to see if any of his paycheck was being paid for insurance.