How can I research a cancelled life insurance policy?

Question

My dad died about 3 weeks ago. My dad retired from his job of 32 years with a life insurance policy of $5,000.00. Upon his death we turned the certificate in to the funeral director. The director was told by the insurance carrier that the policy had been cancelled back in 1994. Was it possible for them to cancel his insurance without his knowledge and what's the best course of action in researching this insurance matter?

Answer 1

Many employee benefit policys end at age 65 or 75. Not all insurance is lifelong. You should be able to speak with the company abbout what happened.

A good local independent insurance agent should be able to review it and let you know what happened also.

Answer 2

1. Call the human resources department of the company where your Dad worked. They should be able to confirm this for you, or

2.Write to the insurance carrier and ask for evidence that it was cancelled.

It is very common for people to lose their life insurance coverage when they retire. Your Dad may have had an opportunity to continue the policy, but it so long ago, if no premiums were paid all these years, you won't collect. The only hope would be that the company took something out of his retirement check for the policy, but that doesn't seem to be the case from what you have described.

I am so sorry for your loss.