How to Find Out If Your Spouse Left Life Insurance

Death of a loved one can be very difficult, but especially so when dealing with all the bills and paperwork after the funeral. If you are not sure whether your spouse had a life insurance policy, there are some steps you can take to discover this information. Sometimes discovery of a policy is as simple as a phone call or a few hours of investigative work.

Things You'll Need

• Employer information
• Internet access

Instructions

1. Search through personal information. Often you can find invoices, canceled checks, policies of insurance or dividend notices in the deceased's belongings that will help you identify an active policy. This information may be in an organized file cabinet, if you're lucky, or finding it may require digging through boxes stored in an attic or basement.

2. Contact any previous employers. Your spouse may have purchased a life insurance policy through his workplace.

3. Review any copies of applications or statements of coverage for a listing of other policies. This information is sometimes required when applying for life insurance and will be recorded on a statement of coverage or the policy itself.

4. Obtain copies of income tax returns from your tax preparation provider or your own files. If your spouse reported any life insurance interest income or interest expense on a policy loan, you will be able to trace that information to the insurance provider.

5. Hire a private investigator who specializes in researching life insurance policies. Private investigators often have subscriptions to online databases containing very personal information on just about anyone who has ever applied for a driver's license, a credit card or any type of insurance. There will be a fee for this service.

6. Gain access to any safety deposit boxes your spouse may have maintained at a local bank. Some people will rent a box just for important documents if they do not keep them in a safe at home. I you are not a co-renter of the box, you may have to provide a death certificate and possibly prove that you are the executor of the estate. The requirements vary from state to state.

Tips & Warnings

• Plan ahead. Make sure your spouse is aware of your life insurance information and where the physical policy is located. Accidents can happen to anyone at any time, and it is best to be prepared.

• Never attempt fraud in order to collect on a life insurance policy as this is punishable by law and in some states is considered a federal offense.

References

• Life insurance policies of the deceased, Was my spouse insured: Morgan Moran
• Policy locater service
• FDIC consumer news