How to find a life insurance policy after someone dies

Step 1. Use the NAIC locator

The NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator is free. You give details from the death certificate plus your own contact details. The NAIC sends the request to insurers.

You may hear nothing. An insurer contacts you only if it finds a policy and you're the beneficiary.
It can take a long time. The NAIC says 90 business days or more.
It does find policies. The NAIC reports more than 780,000 matches worth about $17 billion through July 31, 2026.

Step 2. Check for a state search

Some states run their own finder. New York's Lost Policy Finder has insurers reply within 60 business days. Illinois forwards requests to every life insurer licensed there. MIB keeps a list of state insurance departments.

Step 3. Ask employers and unions

Coverage through a job is often kept by the employer. Write to each past employer's human resources office and any union. Our letters include one for this.

Step 4. Go through their papers

Look for premium payments on bank statements, annual statements, and letters from insurers. Old tax forms can show interest from a policy.

Step 5. Check unclaimed property

When an insurer can't pay a benefit, the money can go to a state's unclaimed property program. Search every state where they lived.

If they served or worked for the government

Federal workers and retirees. FEGLI claims go by mail on Form FE-6 to OFEGLI. Call 1-800-633-4542.
Military. SGLI claims use form SGLV 8283. The VA line is 800-419-1473.
Older VA policies. The VA has a name search for unclaimed insurance money. It doesn't cover SGLI or VGLI.

The paid option

MIB's Policy Locator Service costs $75 by money order, needs a notarized form and isn't available if the person lived in California. It looks at applications made since 1996 through member companies. The report only shows that an application was made, not that a policy was in force. The fee isn't refunded if nothing is found. Try the free routes first.

Want this tracked for you? The free checklist covers every step for your state. The Search Kit adds letters filled in with your details and a place to record what you find.

Where this comes from

Checked November 6, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. See how we check facts or report a mistake.

How to find life insurance after someone dies