Privacy laws restrict learning what type of insurance a person has. It often requires a legitimate, authorized reason. —such as being a beneficiary, involved in an accident, or handling an estate. Directly asking the person is the most straightforward method, but alternative, legitimate methods exist for various scenarios.
This is where
YAPI can help you or your firm get the information you are looking for if you can’t find it.
Here is how to search for different types of insurance coverage based on available information:
1. Life Insurance Policies
If you are searching for a deceased loved one’s policy, you can use legal and official channels to locate it:
- NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator: The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) offers a free online tool to help locate policies.
- State Comptroller/Unclaimed Property Offices: Most states require life insurance companies to transfer inactive policies to the state after a certain period.
- Review Personal Records: Check the deceased’s records, including safe deposit boxes, bank accounts for premium payments, and income tax returns.
- Contact Former Employers: Check with the person’s previous employers to see if they had a group life insurance policy.
2. Auto Insurance
You can usually find the other driver’s insurance information by researching:
- Police Report: If a police report was filed, it will typically contain the other driver’s insurance company and policy number.
- Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV): You can contact your state’s DMV to request insurance information, though this usually requires proof of a valid reason (e.g., an accident report).
- Your Own Insurance Company: Your insurer can often use the other party’s license plate or contact information to locate their insurance coverage.
3. Health Insurance
Privacy laws are highly restrict access to someone else’s health insurance policy.
- Ask the Individual: Directly asking the person is the only easy way.
- Review Documents: Look for billing statements from doctors or hospitals that indicate which insurer was billed.
- Employer HR Department: If you have authorization, you can ask the person’s employer about their coverage options.
4. Business/Public Liability Insurance
- Direct Inquiry: It is your right to ask a business to provide proof of their insurance before they begin work, such as a Certificate of Insurance.
- Contact Insurer: For added peace of mind, you can contact the insurer directly to verify the policy is active (this may require written permission from the business).
Important Considerations:
- Privacy Violations: Attempting to find someone’s insurance information without their consent or a legal, authorized reason is generally considered a violation of privacy.
- Legal Aid: In cases of severe accidents or disputes, a lawyer can issue a subpoena to obtain insurance information.
- Third-Party Services: Services like the MIB Group can assist in searching for insurance records.
