How to Organize and Store Your Life Insurance Records

When you pass away, it’s important that beneficiaries know where to find the policy holder’s life insurance records. If you have life insurance coverage, get organized and protect your investment—and let your beneficiaries know where they’ll be able to find your policies.

Where to Keep Your Life Insurance Records

The Insurance Information Institute (III) recommends storing originals and copies of your records in two different places. This increases the likelihood they’ll be found, even if one set is lost in a fire or natural disaster and in the event a set is accidently thrown away.

To keep your records safe:

• Keep one set in your home. Put it in a logical place where others will easily find them, and tell your beneficiaries where you put it.
• Keep a second set away from your home. This could be in a safe deposit box or with a trusted relative and/or beneficiary.

Life Insurance Records You Should Keep

Record pertinent information for each individual life insurance policy you have:

• Name of the insurance company that issued the policy
• City and state of the provider’s home office
• If the issuer is a group of companies, record the name and U.S. headquarters of the group
• Policy number
• Date the policy was issued
• Death benefit amount
• Name, address and phone number of the agent or broker who sold you the policy
• Type of policy (whole life, term, etc.)
• Location of the original policy

If you have group life insurance benefits through your employer, professional association or other group, record the following:

• Name of employer or group that sponsors the coverage
• Office or person to file a claim with
• Certificate number
• Date the insurance commenced
• Death benefit amount

If you have death benefits that come with other features through financial programs (pensions, workers compensation programs, annuities, disability insurance, travel accident insurance, etc.) record the following for each:

• Type of policy that also features a death benefit
• Name of the issuing life insurance company
• City and state of the issuing company’s home office
• Policy number
• Date the policy was issued
• Amount of death benefit
• Name, address and phone number of the agent or broker who sold you the policy
• Location of the original policy

If you have life insurance through a credit card or lending institution to pay off outstanding loans in the event of your death, keep records for each policy:

• Name of lending institution who issued the life insurance
• Loan number and issue date
• Name of the person to contact to file a claim
• Policy number of the life insurance that pays off the loan

For more information about life insurance and to compare quotes, visit the Einsurance life insurance section.