How to locate a lost life insurance policy

If you are tasked with handling the affairs of a deceased friend or family member, there may be a variety of logistical but necessary things to be taken care of, such as how to locate a lost life insurance policy.

In addition to the many emotions that accompany the loss of a loved one, the burden of filing necessary paperwork, organizing financial accounts, insurance policies, distributions of assets and coordinating burial services can add a significant amount of distress. When a loved one dies unexpectedly, it can be difficult for a family member to find or access critical documentation.

Unless you were aware of and/or had access to a policy before the death of your loved one, you may have no knowledge that a policy exists, or how to receive benefits.

How to locate a lost life insurance policy

The New Hampshire Insurance Department created a service in direct response to this common issue. It is called the “Lost Life Policy Locator Service.” It helps New Hampshire residents locate life insurance policies and annuity contracts that were purchased in New Hampshire by a deceased family member.

Without assistance, this process can be time consuming and overwhelming. The Lost Life Policy Locator Service allows family members to more easily determine if a loved one purchased a life insurance policy or annuity contracts with payable benefits.

How it works

The New Hampshire Insurance Department works closely with licensed life insurance companies and annuity service providers who participate in the program. Together, they work to make the process of locating life policies and annuities smoother and simpler for the families of the deceased.

The lost life insurance policy form describes who may be eligible to submit the request, and includes detailed instructions on how to submit one. People can submit a request by mail, fax, or email.

In addition to the signed request form, requestors must also provide a clear copy of the death certificate to the New Hampshire Insurance Department. Either the original copy or a faxed copy is acceptable. Once the form is received, it is distributed to all insurance companies who participate in the program, who then search their databases for life insurance policies or annuity contracts purchased in the name of the deceased.

Requestor authorization

If a policy does exist and the requestor is authorized to receive policy information, the insurance company will provide the policy information. Otherwise, the insurance company will proceed to locate those who are authorized beneficiaries on the policy in question.

Term or permanent life insurance

• A term policy covers the insured for a stated period of years and pays a benefit only if the insured dies within the term.
• A permanent policy stays in force as long as the cost of insurance is paid, from additional premium payments or from the accrued cash value within a policy.

Paying for a funeral with life insurance

We get a lot of questions about paying for a funeral with life insurance, which is why we created this post. Technically, the answer is no. You can’t pre-pay for your funeral with a life insurance policy that is still in place. There are, however, ways to use your life insurance policy as a means of covering future funeral expenses, though there are drawbacks to this payment method to be aware of.

For additional information regarding the request form, required documentation, and/or any other questions you may have about the process, you may contact the New Hampshire Insurance Department’s Consumer Services division at (800) 852-3416, or email.