How can I locate a lost life insurance policy?

If you suspect that someone who has died may have had a life insurance policy and named you beneficiary, there are several steps you can take to track down the missing policy:

1. Call your state’s department of unclaimed property to see if the insurance company put the policyholder’s name on their list.
   
   
2. Check the deceased’s safety deposit box at the bank, their file cabinets and personal computer records to see if you can find the policy.
   
   
3. Look for old checks written to insurance companies in the past to trace old policies.
   
   
4. Ask older relatives if the deceased ever mentioned that they had a life insurance policy and which company they had it with.
   
   
5. Call the insurance company that provided auto and home insurance to the deceased, because they might have used the same company for life insurance.

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