DO YOU HAVE AN INHERITANCE FOR A SUM OF MONEY THAT YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT?

It is often the case that the heirs are not even aware of the existence of a deceased person’s life insurance. So, the amount of insurance is never claimed.

What happens in Quebec regarding these cases? What happens to the benefits and how does one confirm their existence?

Will you benefit from the deceased person’s legacy if you didn’t know of your appointment as a beneficiary?

SEARCHING FOR UNCLAIMED LIFE INSURANCE

If you believe that your name is on the list of beneficiaries of a life insurance policy of a deceased loved one, you can check this assumption in several ways.

The deceased person’s will could mention the existence of a life insurance policy. Check whether this document contains this detail or not first.

Revenu Québec has on its website a Register of unclaimed property if the deceased did not write a will or did not mention any insurance policy on it.

In addition, if your efforts lead to nothing, the Insurance Ombudsman can help you with his research service.

Unclaimed life insurance in Quebec can, therefore, be found in various ways. Look for one or two and you will discover your missing information.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE LOST BENEFITS?

Will you lose your inheritance? In Quebec, you can purchase a life insurance policy from no less than 75 licensed insurers. Further, more than 50% of residents own one. In 2013 alone, 180,600 subscriptions to an individual life insurance were taken out for an average insured amount of $252,800. What exactly are the obligations of the insurer to the beneficiaries? In Quebec, the Unclaimed Property Act regulates unclaimed life insurance benefits and their fate. Legislator André Boisclair introduced a bill in 1997 regarding these benefits that remained under the ownership of the insurers. Under this law, when a benefit becomes due (when the insurance company is informed that the holder of the insurance has died or on his 100th birthday), insurers then have 3 years in order to meet with and inform the beneficiary by sending to his last known place of residence a notice after a search. The benefit, after the 3 years has passed, officially becomes unclaimed. Thus, the insurer must return these funds to the Ministry of Revenue so that it will administer the funds on behalf of the beneficiary.

Tips to policyholders who have life insurance

If you paid for insurance all of your life in order to bequeath a significant sum to your heirs, you probably wouldn’t want these benefits to get lost in « the system ».

3 TIPS FOR FINDING LIFE INSURANCE

Make sure to read these few tips to find the legacy that is yours.

Receive with complete peace of mind the benefits of life insurance: 3 Tips

If the person died abroad or while traveling, check for the existence of a travel insurance policy. Contact, one by one, the associations or organizations of which the person was a member because they could have offered special life insurance for their members such as professional associations, CAA, chambers of commerce … Contact the Human Resources Department of the deceased person’s last employer to obtain information regarding a possible group life insurance policy for employees.

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