Unclaimed Life Insurance

Why Life Insurance Policies Go Unclaimed

A significant number of life insurance policies in the UK end up unclaimed. Someone takes out a policy, pays into it for years, and then dies without telling anyone it exists. Paperwork gets lost during house moves. Families may not think to look for a policy, especially if the person who died left no will.

Older policies with a savings element can also be forgotten by the original owner while they are still alive. Payments stop, addresses change, and the insurance company loses contact.

Industry estimates suggest there may be billions of pounds in unclaimed insurance assets across the UK, though exact figures are difficult to verify. While this is smaller than the amount sitting in forgotten bank accounts, it still represents a large sum that rightfully belongs to families and beneficiaries.

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How to Find Out if a Policy Exists

If a relative has died and you suspect they may have held a life insurance policy, there are several practical steps you can take.

• Check their bank statements for regular payments to insurance companies. Direct debits or standing orders may reveal ongoing or lapsed policies.
• Look through paperwork, including filing cabinets, old boxes, and any documents stored digitally. Policy documents, annual statements, or correspondence from insurers can confirm whether a policy was held.
• Contact previous employers. Some workplaces offer life insurance as part of employee benefits, and HR departments may have records.
• Ask their financial adviser or solicitor, if they had one. These professionals may hold relevant information or copies of documents.

If these searches turn up nothing but you still believe a policy existed, a tracing service may help.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Using a Tracing Service

Several services exist to help trace lost or forgotten life insurance policies. The Unclaimed Assets Register, run by Experian, searches records from insurance companies for a fee. You will need to provide details about the person who died, and the service checks with participating insurers on your behalf.

These services do not guarantee results, and coverage varies depending on which insurers participate. They can still be a useful starting point if you have limited information to work with.

Other private tracing companies offer similar searches. If you choose to use one, check their terms carefully and confirm what they charge before proceeding.

Making a Claim

Once you have located a policy, you will need to contact the insurance company directly to make a claim. They will usually ask for a certified copy of the death certificate and proof that you are entitled to claim. This may mean providing evidence that you are the named beneficiary or a legal representative of the estate.

The process can take several weeks, depending on the insurer and the complexity of the policy. If the policy is old or the records are incomplete, expect longer delays.

If you are acting as the executor or administrator of an estate, keeping a record of all correspondence with insurers can make the probate process smoother and help you track progress on multiple claims.

It is also worth noting that insurance firms in the UK are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, which sets standards for how they handle claims and treat customers.

To reduce the risk of policies going unclaimed in future, consider keeping a clear record of any insurance you hold and letting a trusted family member or solicitor know where to find this information. For general guidance on dealing with the estate of someone who has died, GOV.UK provides official information on probate and inheritance.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Unclaimed Money Tracer lets you tell us what might be out there and we will map out the exact UK services to search, in the right order, to track down unclaimed money. Try it now →