Insurance and Benefits After a Death
After a death, there may be insurance policies, employer benefits, or government programs the family needs to find and contact. You may not know what exists, and you don’t have to figure it all out at once.
Look through records for signs of a policy or benefit, then ask each organization directly what it pays and what it needs. The organization that pays a benefit decides who is eligible. The official search tools below are free.
What to look for
Not every family will have all of these. This is a list of what might exist, not what will.
- Life insurance
- May pay a death benefit to the named beneficiary. Policies can be individual, or through an employer, union, or other group.
- Social Security
- Survivor benefits or a one-time $255 payment, in some cases. See Social Security survivor benefits.
- Veterans benefits
- If the person served, there may be VA benefits for the family. See VA burial and memorial benefits.
- Employer benefits
- A current or former employer may have group life insurance, retirement accounts, unpaid wages, or other accrued benefits.
- Other coverage
- Accidental death, mortgage or loan insurance, credit insurance, annuities, or union and association benefits. These don’t pay after every death, and each has its own terms.
How to find out if someone had life insurance
Evidence of a policy often turns up in ordinary places:
- Wallet or purse
- Home files and mail
- Safe or safe-deposit records
- Tax records
- Letters from insurers
- Bank and credit card statements
- Employer benefits portals
- Employer or former employer
- Insurance agent
- Financial advisor
- Unions and membership groups
A regular premium payment on a bank or card statement can be a clue that a policy exists. You’re gathering information, so there’s no need to cancel anything just because you find it.
A free life insurance policy locator, and other official tools
NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator
From the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and listed by the Utah Insurance Department. You submit the person’s information, and participating insurers check their records. If a policy is found, the insurer contacts the beneficiary. You may not hear back if you aren’t the beneficiary or nothing is found.
naic.org →Utah Unclaimed Property
From the Utah State Treasurer. Unclaimed money, which can include unpaid insurance benefits, may be held here. Heirs can search for and claim property that belonged to a loved one.
mycash.utah.gov →You don’t need to pay a private “policy finder” service to search.
Who to contact
| Possible source | Who to contact |
|---|---|
| Life insurance | The insurance company or agent |
| Employer benefits | The employer’s HR or benefits department |
| Social Security | 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), weekdays 8 a.m.–7 p.m. |
| Veterans benefits | U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 800-827-1000 |
| Retirement account | The plan administrator or financial institution. Utah public employees and retirees: Utah Retirement Systems |
| Annuity, union, or other insurance | The company, organization, or benefits administrator |
Have these ready when you call
- The person’s full legal name, date of birth, and date of death
- Social Security number or other ID, when required
- Policy or account number and employer information, if you have them
- A death certificate. Ask each organization whether it needs a certified copy. See how to get a death certificate.
- Your own contact information as the claimant
Keep track of who you contact
When several organizations are involved, one simple record keeps it together. For each one, note: organization, type of benefit, policy or account number, date contacted, person spoken with, phone or email, claim number, documents requested and sent, next step, and follow-up date.
A benefit may exist and still not be paid. Eligibility, policy terms, and beneficiary designations vary, some benefits need a claim, and the organization that runs the benefit makes the final decision. A funeral provider may help with paperwork or point you to resources, but insurers and agencies decide.
“What documents do you need from me to start the claim?”
Ask it of each insurer, employer, or agency once you reach the right office.
Ready to see how these choices apply to your situation?
Your Wayfinder Plan can help organize the options you’re considering and give you a clearer picture of what to ask and compare.
Build My Wayfinder Plan- Social Security: SSA, What to do when someone dies; Survivor benefits.
- Veterans: VA Burial and Memorial Benefits; VA Survivors FAQ.
- Policy search: NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator; Utah Insurance Department.
- Unclaimed property: Utah Office of State Treasurer; mycash.utah.gov.
- Utah Retirement Systems: Reporting a Death.
This page is general information, not legal, financial, or tax advice, and it doesn’t decide eligibility for any benefit.