Frequently Asked Questions

How can I protect my loved one's identity from being stolen!

You should IMMEDIATELY place a death notice in his/her credit file. For information and instructions on how to do this, call the credit reporting agency, "Equifax" at (800)525-6285 and choose option 5. Have a pen and paper available because you will be given addresses for the 3 credit reporting agencies and instructions on what to send them. You should also turn in your loved one's driver's or other government issued license to the issuing authority with a copy of the Death Certificate. According to the FBI, identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the U.S. claiming more than 10 million victims a year. Protect your loved one's identity NOW.

A fee of $79.95 is payable via Paypal before a search for a lost or missing life insurance is initiated. (You DO NOT need a Paypal account to initiate a search). There are no other costs, percentages, or fees required.

1) No matter what others may say, in order for a complete and proper search to be done insurance companies WILL require sensitive family information. We provide a safe, secure environment for you to transmit sensitive family information. (Look for the "https://" in the address bar before you provide anyone any information. The "S" in "https" is what indicates a secure environment).

2) Your search request and authorization is sent directly to insurance company's claims departments by secure fax, NEVER BY EMAIL.

3) Beware the sting of a low price. Like the old expression says, "You get what you pay for."

How extensive is a search?

According to A.M. Best, THE source for insurance industry information, the top 100 life insurance companies and company groups account for MORE THAN 95% of all individual and industrial life insurance policies that are ACTUALLY ISSUED. On your behalf, and in a secure environment, LostPolicy.com contacts these companies and company groups, notifies them of the death, and requests searches of their records (and those of any subsidiary and/or affiliated companies) to determine if coverage currently exists or has ever existed.

How long will it be before I get a response?

Because some companies respond more quickly than others, we advise that Users allow at least 30 days for search completion.

How many people actually find missing policies?

According to one industry organization, "Customers using (a missing policy search) service experience response rates of nearly 30%." (These results cannot be guaranteed).

What information is required? (In order for a complete and proper search to be done, insurance companies require ALL of the following information).

1. Your full name

2. Your contact information

3. Your relationship to the decedent

4. Your electronic signature (attesting that you are the decedent's legal representative and/or have an insurable interest* in the decedent).

5. The decedent's full name

6. The decedent's date of birth

7. The decedent's social security number

8. The decedent's last known address (at least city and state)

What about the privacy of our information?

All sensitive family information submitted via our web site is protected by the highest level of encryption available. Once received and processed your personal information is then transmitted via secure fax directly to all company's claims departments in our database. We NEVER transmit your information to insurance companies via non-secure email. After 120 days your information is deleted from our servers and files.

I'm not comfortable with providing sensitive family information online. How else can I submit my request?

You may submit your search request via a toll-free secure fax line. (Because of the extra steps involved with this process, an additional $25.00 fee applies). Please send an email to infomaster@lostpolicy.com. indicating your wish to use secure fax transmission and we will send you instructions and the toll-free fax number.

Are insurance proceeds taxable?

If taken in a lump sum, generally not. If taken in installments, possibly. There may also be estate issues to consider. You should always consult a financial professional before making financial decisions.

What happens when a policy is found?

Any required notifications or communications will always be directed to listed beneficiaries, legal representatives, and/or the Authorized Person making the Search Request. In compliance with the laws regarding privacy, insurance companies NEVER communicate directly with LostPolicy.com on matters concerning your family's sensitive personal information.

* For someone to have an "insurable interest" in someone else, he/she would have to suffer a material loss if the death of the insured occured. (Without an insurable interest, an insurance company will not issue a policy).

Please click "Contact Us" to e-mail any questions not answered above or ... Start a Search.