How do I find out if an insurance policy is still good?

Asked by: Juana Lynch  |  Last update: July 29, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (71 votes)

You can contact the insurer to find out if the policy is active or inactive and its death benefit, cash value, and cash surrender value if applicable.

How can I find out if an insurance policy is still valid?

The best way is to contact the policy's issuer (the life insurance company). Their records are key: even if you see your name listed on an old policy document, the deceased may have changed their beneficiaries (or the allocation of benefits among those beneficiaries) after that document was printed.

Is there a database to check for life insurance policies?

If you suspect that a loved one had a life policy, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has created a Life Insurance Policy Locator service to help consumers locate benefits from life insurance policies or annuity contracts purchased anywhere in the United States.

How do I look up an insurance policy?

10 ways to find a lost life insurance policy
  1. If the policyholder is still alive, request a new copy of the policy. ...
  2. Search personal records. ...
  3. Ask financial advisors and other significant people. ...
  4. Check with your loved one's automotive and home insurers. ...
  5. Contact employers. ...
  6. Contact trade unions and other professional associations.

Is there a website to search for life insurance policies?

In your web browser, navigate to naic.org, hover over Consumer, and click Life Insurance Policy Locator under Tools.

How to Locate & Get Your A Lost Life Insurance Policy

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How to check my life insurance policy online?

You can simply log in to the insurance company's website through your phone or laptop and check the status of your policy. You will have to be a registered user to do this. You can sign up using your customer id, mail id, and password to make use of these services online.

How do I check an old life insurance policy?

How do I find a lost life insurance policy?
  1. Search personal records.
  2. Contact insurance companies.
  3. Review bank statements.
  4. Check with employers.
  5. Consult professionals.

How can I trace an insurance policy?

Tips for finding a lost life insurance policy
  1. Search the deceased's documents and correspondence. ...
  2. Submit a request to the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator Service. ...
  3. Contact the state's Unclaimed Property Office. ...
  4. Be aware of special challenges. ...
  5. Keep in mind fee-based services are available if needed.

Is there a database for insurance?

All-payer claims databases (APCDs) are large State databases that include medical claims, pharmacy claims, dental claims, and eligibility and provider files collected from private and public payers. APCD data are reported directly by insurers to States, usually as part of a State mandate.

Can I check my insurance status online?

Quick Guide on How to Check If Your Health Insurance is Active Online: Log in to your insurance provider's website or mobile app. Navigate to the "My Policies" or "Coverage Summary" section. Look for "Active" status next to your policy.

Can I look up someone's life insurance policy?

Search with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC): NAIC has an online Life Insurance Policy Locator Service that uses the deceased's name to search the records of participating life insurance companies. This service is free, confidential, and easy to use.

Is an old life insurance policy worth anything?

A policy that lapsed before the policyholder died has no value. But if the policy was still in force when the insured died, that policy's death benefit may still be available to the beneficiary. Note that the death benefit amount could be different from the policy's original face value. Several factors can cause this.

Is NAIC policy locator legit?

The online policy locator requests are secure, confidential, and free. Participating insurance companies are responsible for contacting beneficiaries and reporting matches to state insurance departments through the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator.

How do I make sure my insurance is active?

How to tell if your health insurance is active. If you're not sure your coverage started, check your online Marketplace account. If you think you're enrolled but have questions about your plan, you can reference your plan materials.

How do I check if I have existing insurance?

Contact your car insurance provider and ask them directly. Log in to your account via your insurance provider's website and check your policy's expiry date from there.

How do I know if my policy is expired?

It can be done through your insurance provider's website, the Insurance Information Bureau's (IIB) or VAHAN portal, or just by using a QR code scan. To renew your policy well in time before its expiry, routine checks will help you avoid complications in case of an accident or claim.

How to look up a car insurance policy?

File a request with the Department of Motor Vehicles:

If you have the driver's license plate number, you can bring it to the DMV to find out the name of their insurance company. However, the DMV can deny your request if you provide false information, and you may face fines.

Can you find a life insurance policy by social security number?

In your web browser, navigate to naic.org, hover over Consumer, and click Life Insurance Policy Locator under Tools. Submit a search request by entering the deceased's information from the death certificate: Social Security number. Legal first name.

How do people verify insurance?

This can be done through various means including a phone call to the insurance company, using an online portal, or through electronic health record (EHR) systems that may have integrated insurance verification features.

How to find out if you have an insurance policy in your name?

You might want to contact the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) for their free Life Insurance Policy Locator Service, which looks for policies on the databases of many insurance companies. Another great resource could be your state's Department of Insurance (DOI).

How to find out if a life insurance policy is still active?

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners' Life Insurance Policy Locator Service and similar services allow consumers who believe they are the beneficiary of a life insurance policy to submit a life insurance policy search by name and request to have insurers check their files.

Are insurance policies public information?

Insurance companies are generally required to keep your policy information confidential. However, they may share information with third parties under certain circumstances, such as with your consent, for legal reasons, or to process claims.

How to trace an insurance policy?

Checking your personal records is the first step to recovering a lost life insurance policy. Check your financial records, including bank statements, tax returns, etc. The name of the insurance provider, the policy number, and the insured's name are among the details you can find about the scheme.

Do old life insurance policies expire?

You've officially outlived your term policy when you reach the age that your life insurance policy expires. For most policies, this age is in the 80s or 90s, but some policies without a medical exam expire at a much younger age.

How do I cash out my old life insurance policy?

There are three main ways to get cash out of your policy. You can borrow against your cash account typically with a low-interest life insurance loan, withdraw the cash (either as a lump sum or in regular payments), or you can surrender your policy.