How to Find Out if Someone Has Life Insurance in the UK

Many individuals discover a deceased family member or friend may have had a life insurance policy in the UK, but policy details are unknown. Unclaimed policies can amount to substantial sums, with billions of pounds estimated to remain unclaimed. Locating these policies ensures beneficiaries receive intended financial support during a challenging time. This process requires investigation, starting with personal records and extending to professional and industry inquiries.

Beginning Your Search

The initial steps in searching for a life insurance policy involve a thorough review of the deceased’s personal documents and financial history. Begin by examining physical documents like policy papers, statements, or correspondence from insurers, often stored with wills or financial planning documents. Checking bank statements for premium payments can reveal the insurer’s name, even without a policy number.

Expanding the search to digital records, such as emails, computer files, and cloud storage, might uncover electronic policy documents or communications. Many financial institutions offer online portals where policy details could be accessible. Engaging in conversations with close family members, friends, or business partners can provide valuable leads, as they might have been aware of the deceased’s financial arrangements or specific insurance policies.

Professional Assistance

Leveraging professional relationships the deceased maintained can significantly aid in tracing a life insurance policy. Solicitors or estate lawyers, especially those who managed the deceased’s estate or drafted their will, often have records or knowledge of existing policies. These legal professionals are often responsible for gathering all assets, including insurance payouts, to settle the estate.

Financial advisors who assisted the deceased are another valuable resource. They typically maintain detailed records of their clients’ financial products, including life insurance, and can provide specific policy information. Similarly, an accountant might have records of premium payments or policy details. Employers, both current and former, should also be contacted, as many companies in the UK provide group life insurance, also known as “death in service” benefits, as an employee benefit.

Direct Industry Inquiries

After exhausting personal and professional avenues, more formal inquiries within the UK insurance industry can be initiated. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) offers guidance and a searchable member database that can help identify contact information for many UK insurance companies, including those that have merged or changed names. While the ABI does not directly trace individual policies, their resources can help locate the relevant insurer.

Another option is to utilize the Unclaimed Assets Register (UAR), which can help locate dormant accounts, including some life insurance policies, for a fee. It is important to note that while term life insurance policies are typically listed, whole-of-life policies may only appear on the register once the policyholder reaches 100 years of age. If there is any suspicion about a specific provider, contacting individual life insurance companies directly with the deceased’s full name, date of birth, last known address, and date of death can be effective, as insurers can often trace policies with limited information.