A shocking $1 billion in unclaimed or lost insurance policies are still waiting to be claimed by their beneficiaries. As much as people spend on life insurance policies, it is unfortunate that a huge number of policies become lost or unclaimed by their loved ones. The good news is that beneficiaries do not have to work hard to find their lost policy. If you want to find your lost life insurance policy, consider following these steps listed below.
Step One: National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators
The first thing you want to do when your loved one has been gone for a few years is check to see if the benefits have been turned over as unclaimed property. You can visit the website for the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators by visiting www.missingmoney.com. From there you can look up state records to see if you find your loved one’s information there.
Step Two: Prove Your Claim
If you find your name or the name of your loved one you are going to have to prove your claim. The documentation you will need for this will vary based on the state in which the policy was purchased under. There may be a need for identification forms as well as a death certificate. If you do not have this information you will need to reach out to the vital records office for the state your family member passed away in.
Step Three: Contact Insurance Agency
If you are having a hard time coming up with these documents or can not seem to prove you are the beneficiary, talk with the insurance provider. They will have all information on file and can easily supply you with information that you might need to further prove your claim. They can also share with you if there were any changes to the policy that you might not be aware of.
Step Four: Other Policy Resources
If you believe your loved one had more than one policy, you can then check personal records. You should check with their previous employer, credit unions, and any other organizations that might have offered them life insurance policies. They can provide information on the insurance provider, beneficiaries, and premium amounts if necessary.
One of these avenues should help you in claiming a life insurance policy left behind by your loved ones. There might be a few bumps in the road along the way, but by having the proper documentation you can make the process run much smoother.