Unclaimed Insurance Money and Benefits in Maryland: A Step‑by‑Step Guide to Claiming What You’re Owed

Many people in Maryland have unclaimed insurance money or benefits and don’t realize it. This can include old life insurance policies, refund checks, or payouts from policies that were never properly delivered.

This guide explains, in plain language, how unclaimed insurance works in Maryland, how to check if money is owed to you, and what to do to claim it through official state channels.

HowToGetAssistance.org is an independent information site. It is not a government agency, insurance company, or application portal. You cannot claim or receive benefits through this site, but you can use this guide to understand the process and then contact the proper Maryland offices.

What Is “Unclaimed Insurance Money” in Maryland?

Unclaimed insurance money usually refers to funds an insurance company owes you (or a loved one’s estate) that were never successfully delivered. Over time, if the company cannot locate the owner, the money is turned over to the State of Maryland as “unclaimed property.”

This often includes:

• Life insurance death benefits never claimed by beneficiaries
• Annuity payouts that were never collected
• Premium refunds or overpayments from auto, home, or health insurance
• Checks that were never cashed (cancelled policies, adjustments, dividends)
• Group policy benefits (through an employer or union) that no one requested

In Maryland, these funds are usually managed by the state’s unclaimed property program, often within the Office of the Comptroller or similar agency. The state keeps the money safe until the rightful owner (or heir) comes forward.

Who Might Have Unclaimed Insurance Money in Maryland?

You may have unclaimed insurance money in Maryland if:

• You lived or worked in Maryland and had insurance policies there
• A family member who lived in Maryland passed away and you were a potential beneficiary
• You changed addresses and didn’t update your insurance company
• You had old policies you forgot about (e.g., small workplace policies)
• You received a policy cancellation or change notice, but never saw a refund
• You left a job that provided group life insurance, and no one followed up about benefits

People often discover unclaimed insurance funds when:

• Settling an estate
• Organizing old paperwork
• Searching their name in the state’s unclaimed property database

How Unclaimed Insurance Money Becomes “Unclaimed Property” in Maryland

In Maryland, the process typically looks like this:

1. Policy matures or benefits become payable

   • For example, a life insurance policyholder dies and the benefit becomes due.

2. Insurance company tries to contact the owner or beneficiary

   • They may send letters, emails, or make phone calls to the last known contact.

3. No contact or claim is made for a certain period

   • After a legally defined “dormancy period” (which can vary by type of benefit), the funds are considered abandoned.

4. Money is turned over to the State of Maryland

   • The funds are reported to the state as unclaimed property, along with the last known name and address.

5. The state holds the money for the rightful owner

   • Your name (or your loved one’s name) may appear in the Maryland unclaimed property search.

This system is meant to protect your money and give you a centralized, official place to search for unclaimed funds.

Types of Unclaimed Insurance Benefits You Can Look For

Here are common insurance-related items that may appear as unclaimed property in Maryland:

• Life insurance death benefits
• Accidental death or dismemberment benefits
• Annuity payments or lump sums
• Refunds of unearned premiums (when policies end early)
• Dividends from participating policies
• Health insurance claim overpayments or refunds
• Property, renters, or auto insurance refunds or claim payments
• Group policy benefits through former employers, unions, or associations

Sometimes the listing simply appears in the state database as “Insurance”, “Life Insurance”, “Group Policy”, or as a refund from a named insurance company.

How to Check for Unclaimed Insurance Money in Maryland

You do not need to pay a third party to check for unclaimed insurance money. The search is typically free through official Maryland channels.

Step 1: Gather Basic Information

Before you search, it helps to have:

• Full legal name (include former or maiden names)
• Current and past Maryland addresses
• Names of deceased relatives who lived in Maryland
• Approximate dates of residence or employment in the state
• Possible insurance company names or former employers

Step 2: Use Maryland’s Official Unclaimed Property Search

Look for the official unclaimed property website for the State of Maryland. A few tips to make sure you’re on the right site:

• The website should clearly identify a Maryland state agency, often the Comptroller of Maryland or similar.
• The web address usually ends in “.gov”.
• There should be no requirement to pay to search your name.

On the official search portal, you can usually:

• Search by name and city
• See a list of any matching unclaimed property records
• Identify which ones are insurance-related, based on the description or holder name

Step 3: Expand Your Search

To be thorough:

• Search your own name with different spellings or middle initials
• Search former names (including maiden names)
• Search deceased parents, spouses, or other relatives who lived in Maryland
• Search business names, if you owned a business in the state

If you find a record that looks like it might be connected to insurance, you can usually click it or select it to begin a claim through the official portal.

How to Claim Unclaimed Insurance Money in Maryland

Once you’ve identified a record that appears to belong to you, you will typically need to file a claim with the state’s unclaimed property office.

You do this through the official state process, not through HowToGetAssistance.org.

Typical Claim Methods

Depending on the state’s current system, you may be able to:

• File a claim online through the Maryland unclaimed property website
• Download and mail a claim form with supporting documents
• In some cases, email or fax documentation as directed

Follow the instructions shown on the official Maryland portal or on the claim form.

Documents You May Need to Claim Unclaimed Insurance Funds

The exact documents depend on who you are and the type of benefit, but these are commonly requested:

If You Are the Named Owner

You may need:

• Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport)
• Proof of Social Security Number (SSN card, tax document, etc.)
• Proof of current address (utility bill, lease, bank statement)
• Proof of previous Maryland address (if the record is tied to an old address)
• Documentation from the insurance company, if you have it
  • Old policy statements
  • Benefit letters
  • Cancelled checks or notices

If You Are a Beneficiary or Heir

For unclaimed life insurance or death benefits, you may also need:

• Death certificate of the insured person
• Proof of your relationship to the deceased (e.g., birth certificate, marriage certificate)
• Will, estate documents, or letters of administration, if applicable
• Court documents naming you as personal representative or executor
• Your own ID and proof of address

If You Are Claiming on Behalf of a Business or Estate

You may need:

• Business formation documents (articles of incorporation, LLC paperwork)
• Proof of authority to act for the business or estate
• Tax ID/EIN documentation
• Any insurance policy or account documentation you have

The Maryland unclaimed property office will list specific document requirements for each type of claim. If you are unsure, you can contact the official office or hotline listed on their site.

Quick Reference: Common Claim Situations and Documents

*The official Maryland unclaimed property office may request additional documents. Always follow the requirements listed on the state’s forms.

What Happens After You File a Claim?

Once you submit your claim to the Maryland unclaimed property office, this is typically what happens:

1. Acknowledgment

   • You may receive a confirmation number or letter that your claim was received.

2. Review and Verification

   • Staff compare your documentation to their records.
   • They may verify your identity, address history, and relationship to the original owner.

3. Requests for Additional Information

   • If something is missing or unclear, the office may mail or email you asking for more documents or clarification.

4. Approval or Denial

   • If approved, the state issues payment (usually by check).
   • If denied, you should receive a notice explaining why, with information about next steps or appeals, if available.

Typical Timeframes

Processing times can vary. Claims can sometimes take:

• A few weeks for simple, straightforward claims
• Several months for complex cases, such as estates, multiple heirs, or large life insurance benefits

To avoid delays, submit complete and clear documentation the first time.

Common Reasons Claims Are Delayed or Denied

Maryland’s unclaimed property office may delay or deny a claim if:

• Identity cannot be verified

  • Missing or unclear photo ID, name changes not documented, or incomplete SSN information.

• Insufficient proof of ownership or relationship

  • No documentation tying you to the deceased policyholder, the address, or the business.

• Estate issues are unresolved

  • No official estate representative, or conflicting claims among heirs.

• Forms are incomplete or unclear

  • Missing signatures, missing pages, or inconsistent information.

• Multiple people claim the same property

  • The office may require legal documentation to decide who is entitled.

If your claim is denied, you can usually:

• Contact the Maryland unclaimed property office to ask for clarification
• Provide additional documents or corrections
• In some situations, seek legal guidance (for example, in complex estate disputes)

How to Track Your Claim Status

Depending on Maryland’s current system, you may be able to:

• Check your claim status online using a claim or reference number
• Call the unclaimed property office’s official phone line
• Email or mail a status request with your claim details

Look at your confirmation notice or the official website for exact instructions on checking status.

If You Believe Insurance Benefits Are Owed but Not Listed

Sometimes you may suspect that a policy exists, but you don’t see anything when you search Maryland’s unclaimed property database.

Consider these steps:

1. Check directly with the insurance company

   • Use the customer service number on any old policy documents.
   • Provide the policy number, insured person’s name, and your relationship.

2. Contact former employers or unions

   • Ask the HR department or benefits office whether group life insurance or other benefits existed, and who the insurer was.

3. Search unclaimed property in other states

   • If the insured person lived or worked in more than one state, or the insurance company was based elsewhere, funds might have been turned over to a different state’s unclaimed property office.

4. Check old files and mail

   • Look for policy statements, premium bills, employer benefit packets, or letters from insurance companies.

If you find proof of a policy but still can’t locate the funds, you may need to:

• Get help from the insurance company’s claims department,
• Consult with an attorney familiar with insurance or estate matters, especially in complex cases.

Verifying You’re Using Official Maryland Channels (Avoiding Scams)

Because unclaimed property involves money, it can attract scams. To protect yourself:

• ✅ Look for “.gov” websites

  • Maryland’s official unclaimed property site should clearly belong to a state agency.

• ✅ Avoid paying to search

  • Official Maryland unclaimed property searches are typically free.
  • Some private “locator” services may charge fees; these are usually optional and not necessary.

• ✅ Be cautious with unsolicited calls, emails, or texts

  • If someone contacts you claiming you have unclaimed funds and asks for upfront fees, bank information, or Social Security Number, verify independently:
    • Search your name yourself on the official state site, or
    • Call the official Maryland unclaimed property office using a phone number listed on a government site, not one given by the caller.

• ✅ Protect your documents

  • Only send sensitive documents (ID, SSN, death certificates) through channels authorized on the official Maryland website or claim form.

If you’re unsure whether a contact is legitimate, you can:

• Call the state’s main government information line
• Dial 211 in Maryland to get connected to community and government resource information, and ask how to reach the official unclaimed property office

If You Don’t Qualify or Can’t Prove a Claim

Sometimes people discover they cannot claim certain unclaimed insurance funds. This may happen if:

• You are not a named beneficiary and have no legal claim to the estate
• There is a dispute among heirs, and a court must decide
• You cannot provide sufficient documentation to prove your identity or relationship

In these situations, your options may include:

• Speaking with an estate or probate attorney to understand your legal rights
• Working cooperatively with other family members to appoint an estate representative
• Continuing to search for missing documents (wills, policies, court papers)

If there truly is no legal path for you to claim the funds, you may want to explore:

• Other forms of financial assistance through Maryland state benefit programs
• Support from nonprofit organizations, charities, or local community services
• Guidance from legal aid organizations in Maryland for estate-related questions

Key Takeaways for Claiming Unclaimed Insurance Money in Maryland

• Unclaimed insurance money in Maryland is usually handled as unclaimed property by a state agency (often the Comptroller’s office).
• You can typically search for free on Maryland’s official unclaimed property website.
• Be ready to provide proof of identity, address, and relationship (for beneficiaries/heirs).
• Claims can often be filed online or by mail through the state’s official channels.
• Processing may take weeks to months, depending on complexity and documentation.
• Always verify you are on a legitimate Maryland state site and avoid paying unnecessary “finder” fees.

HowToGetAssistance.org cannot process claims or access your records, but you can use this guide to understand the process and then move forward directly with Maryland’s official unclaimed property office or the relevant insurance company.