For the most part, life insurance policies are not a part of any public records. Life insurance proceeds are paid directly to a named beneficiary and therefore do not pass through a probate estate.

Can you make someone a life insurance beneficiary without them knowing?

While you can name anyone as a beneficiary, just make sure to notify them and provide them with a copy of your life insurance policy. Otherwise, they may not know to or be able to file a claim when the time comes.

Can a beneficiary of a life insurance policy know?

Because policyholders often have an aversion to talking about their own death or discussing who’s going to inherit money, beneficiaries might not even know a policy exists. That’s why it’s so important for policyholders to reveal life insurance policy information before they die.

How can I find out if my life insurance policy is still in force?

Look through bank check books and/or canceled checks to see if any were written to pay premiums. If you find a policy, contact the insurance company even if you’re unsure whether it is still in force.

What should you know about your life insurance policy?

Like any other legal agreement, life insurance policies contain a significant amount of fine print. And like most legal agreements, consumers don’t normally spend much time reading the fine print. You should. One of the provisions you might come across in your life insurance policy are exclusions that apply to living abroad.

How to make a claim on a life insurance policy?

How to Make a Claim If you’re the beneficiary of a life insurance policy—or even suspect that you might be—you’ll want to contact the insurance company shortly after the policy owner has passed away. Depending on the company, you may be able to visit its website to request that a claim form be mailed to you.