How to check if someone took a life insurance policy on you?

Asked by: Stephany Jaskolski  |  Last update: October 9, 2025
Score: 5/5 (56 votes)

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).

Can you find out if someone has taken out a life insurance policy on you?

To check if a life insurance policy on someone exists, go online for a MIB underwriting consumer file report. MIB searches go back seven years and results are returned quickly. Calling 1-866-692-6901 will provide the same service through an automated phone system.

Can someone take out life insurance on you without you knowing?

Can someone take out life insurance on me without my knowledge? A third party can't take out a life insurance policy on you without your knowledge and consent. The person must first notify you of their intentions, and obtain your formal agreement to the policy.

What to do if someone takes out a life insurance policy on you?

If you find yourself the victim of a life insurance scam, contact your state's department of insurance. After you report the agent or agency that committed the fraud, their license may be revoked and they may be prosecuted.

How do I know if I am a beneficiary of a life insurance policy?

Use a life insurance policy locator

Life insurance policy locator services help potential beneficiaries track down lost policies and find out who the beneficiaries are. Start with the Life Insurance Policy Locator from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

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Is life insurance beneficiary public record?

Life insurance policies aren't typically public record. Because they're paid out to a designated beneficiary, they don't need to go through probate, which would make them a matter of public record.

How to find out if your loved one has a life insurance policy?

How to locate a life insurance policy
  1. Speak with family and close friends. ...
  2. Contact the insurance company. ...
  3. Review their documents (physical and digital) ...
  4. Contact the deceased's advisors. ...
  5. Use a life Insurance policy locator.

Can someone take over my life insurance policy?

The policy owner retains complete control over the policy. Usually, they're the ones who pay the monthly insurance premiums, and they can decide to cancel, surrender, or gift the policy to someone else. They also have ownership rights to change the policy beneficiaries or update the allocations of death benefits.

What is the penalty for illegal beneficiary change?

If you're facing misdemeanor will and trust beneficiary fraud charges, you could be looking at up to one year in jail, in addition to fines. If you're facing felony will and trust beneficiary fraud charges, you could be looking at up to five years or more in a correctional facility.

Can someone dispute the beneficiary of a life insurance policy?

If you have a valid case and strong legal support, you may be able to prove that the beneficiary listed on the policy doesn't accurately reflect the policyholder's wishes when they passed away. Note that regardless of the outcome, the life insurance company will distribute the funds based on the court's orders.

Is there a database to search life insurance policies?

To help solve this issue, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) created the Life Insurance Policy Locator, a free online tool that helps consumers find their deceased loved one's life insurance policies and annuity contracts.

What happens to life insurance if you never use it?

If you outlive your term (let's hope this is the case), then typically one of two things happens: The policy will simply end, and you'll no longer owe payments or be covered, or. The insurer might allow you to keep your coverage by converting all or a portion of the policy into permanent life insurance.

Can you have multiple life insurance policies?

There is no limit to how many life insurance plans you can have at one time. Having more than one policy may provide the additional coverage you and your loved ones need. When deciding how much life insurance you should get, consider factors such as your income, debts, and how many dependents you have.

How do I look up an insurance policy number?

You can also call your provider directly. An agent will be able to assist you in locating the policy number, but to do so, they will need to verify your account for security reasons — and they may even ask you to confirm your date of birth, address, or other personal details.

What disqualifies life insurance payout?

Life insurance proceeds can be denied. Some denials are legitimate, like in case of policy lapses, material misrepresentations, or exclusions in the form of illegal activities or war. In other cases, bad-faith insurers use elaborate methods to reject claims so they do not have to pay the proceeds.

How to find out if someone left you money after they died?

The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators' website www.unclaimed.org is an excellent resource. This association consists of state officials charged with the responsibility of reuniting lost owners with their unclaimed property.

Can Next of Kin override beneficiary?

For example, if a will leaves certain assets to a named beneficiary, the next of kin cannot legally supersede those instructions unless the will is successfully contested. Similarly, payable-on-death accounts or life insurance proceeds will go directly to the named beneficiary, regardless of next of kin status.

Which type of beneficiary Cannot be changed without consent?

An irrevocable beneficiary is a person or entity who is designated to receive the assets in your life insurance policy and cannot easily be changed or removed unless they consent. As an irrevocable beneficiary, the person or entity chosen has certain rights with regard to the death benefit of your policy.

Can a trustee go to jail for stealing from trust?

Under California law, the embezzlement of trust funds or property valued at $950 or less is a misdemeanor offense, which is punishable by up to 6 months in county jail. If a trustee embezzles more than $950 from the trust, they can be charged with felony embezzlement, which carries a sentence of up to 3 years in jail.

How to know if someone took out a life insurance policy on you?

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).

Can someone take out a life insurance policy on you without you knowing?

Lack of Consent: Legally, you cannot take out a life insurance policy on someone without their knowledge and explicit consent.

What can override a life insurance beneficiary?

A will cannot override a beneficiary designation because the policy is a contract between the person who purchases it and the issuer. The only way anyone can override a beneficiary other than the policyholder is if a court determines there's a conflict between named beneficiaries and state laws.

Is life insurance public record?

Life insurance policies may be listed in public records. The first place to check is your loved one's will. If your loved one went through a divorce, a life insurance policy may be listed as an asset in those proceedings.

How long does a beneficiary have to claim a life insurance policy?

There is no time limit for beneficiaries to file a life insurance claim. However, the sooner you file a claim for a death benefit, the sooner you will receive your money. Filing as soon as possible makes sense because the insurer could need a month or longer to investigate the claim before paying out.

Do life insurance policies expire?

Do life insurance policies expire? Yes, a term life insurance policy provides cover for the length of time you choose. When your policy ends, your cover will simply stop rather than automatically renew. There is such a thing as 'whole of life' insurance –which provides lifetime coverage without an expiry date.