Unclaimed Insurance Money and Benefits in Michigan: How to Find and Claim What You’re Owed

Many people in Michigan have unclaimed insurance money and do not realize it. This can include unpaid life insurance benefits, health insurance refunds, auto insurance refunds, and other policy-related payments that were never delivered.

This guide from HowToGetAssistance.org explains how unclaimed insurance money usually works in Michigan, how to search for it, and the typical steps to claim it through official state and company channels. HowToGetAssistance.org is an independent information site, not a government office, insurance company, or application portal.

What Is “Unclaimed Insurance Money” in Michigan?

Unclaimed insurance money generally refers to payments an insurance company owes you but could not successfully deliver, such as:

• A life insurance payout owed to a beneficiary
• A premium refund (for example, after canceling a policy)
• A health insurance rebate or overpayment refund
• Auto or home insurance claim checks that were never cashed
• Group policy benefits from an employer plan you forgot about

When the company cannot find the policyholder or beneficiary after a certain period, Michigan law generally requires the funds to be turned over to the State of Michigan’s unclaimed property program. From there, you or your heirs can search and submit a claim through official channels.

Common Types of Unclaimed Insurance Benefits in Michigan

1. Life Insurance and Annuity Benefits

This is one of the most common categories. Money may go unclaimed when:

• A policy owner passes away and beneficiaries don’t know a policy exists
• Contact information is outdated
• Checks are mailed but never cashed
• The insurance company cannot locate the beneficiary

Unclaimed life insurance benefits are typically held either:

• Temporarily by the insurance company, or
• Transferred to the State of Michigan unclaimed property program after a dormancy period

2. Auto and Home Insurance Refunds

Unclaimed funds can show up when:

• You cancel a policy and are owed a prorated refund
• A claim is partially or fully approved and a check is never deposited
• An insurance company makes mass refunds or settlements and some checks go uncashed

3. Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance Refunds

Situations that may create unclaimed money include:

• Overpayments on premiums
• Adjustments after claims are processed
• Refunds from employer-sponsored plans or former insurers

4. Disability and Other Specialty Insurance

Short-term disability, long-term disability, accidental death, or other supplemental policies may also produce unclaimed:

• Monthly benefits
• Lump-sum payouts
• Refunds or dividends

First Step: Search Michigan’s Official Unclaimed Property System

In Michigan, most unclaimed insurance money eventually gets reported to the state as “unclaimed property.”

You typically do not need to know the insurance company to start your search. You can:

1. Go to the official State of Michigan unclaimed property website
   • Search for “Michigan unclaimed property” using a search engine.
   • Make sure the website clearly shows it is part of the State of Michigan (look for “.gov” and official state branding).
2. Use your:
   • Full legal name
   • Former names (maiden name, previous married name, etc.)
   • Current and past addresses in Michigan
3. Review search results for:
   • Your name
   • Close relatives’ names (especially deceased parents, grandparents, or spouses)

If you find a match, the system usually lets you start a claim online or tells you how to submit a paper claim.

Second Step: Check Directly with Insurance Companies

Not all unclaimed insurance benefits immediately appear in the state database. Some may still be held by the insurance company. It may be useful to:

• Review old mail, email, and files for:
  • Policy numbers
  • Insurance company names
  • Group policies from past jobs
• Contact:
  • Life insurance companies you know a relative used
  • Your current and former auto, home, and health insurers
  • HR or benefits departments at current or former employers

When you call or write, you can ask if there are any outstanding refunds, benefits, or closed policies that might have funds attached.

If an insurer confirms it has turned over money to the state, you would then follow the Michigan unclaimed property claim process.

Typical Steps to Claim Unclaimed Insurance Benefits in Michigan

The exact process can vary depending on the type of benefit and whether the money is held by the State of Michigan or an insurance company, but it typically includes these steps:

1. Confirm Your Claim in the State Database

If you find your name listed in the official Michigan unclaimed property search:

1. Select the item(s) you believe belong to you.
2. Indicate your relationship to the property, such as:
   • Owner
   • Heir
   • Executor or personal representative
3. Begin the claim form (online or print version, depending on the system).

2. Gather Required Documents

Typical documents often include:

• Proof of identity
  • Driver’s license
  • State ID
  • Passport
• Proof of current address
  • Utility bill
  • Bank statement
  • Lease or mortgage document
• Proof of past address (if the claim is tied to an older address)
  • Old bills, tax forms, or statements
• Proof of relationship, if you are claiming for a deceased person
  • Birth certificate (child of deceased)
  • Marriage certificate (spouse)
  • Legal guardianship or adoption papers (if applicable)

For life insurance or benefits related to a deceased person, you may also need:

• Death certificate
• Will, letters of authority, or court appointment as personal representative
• Documentation that shows your status as beneficiary or heir

For business-related claims, the state may require:

• Business registration records
• Proof of authority to act on behalf of the company

3. Submit Your Claim to the Correct Official Office

Depending on where the funds are held, you may:

• Submit your claim online through the State of Michigan unclaimed property portal
• Mail forms and copies of documents to the state unclaimed property division
• Submit a claim form directly to the insurance company

Instructions are usually clearly provided in the state database entry or by the insurance company’s customer service department. Always verify that you are:

• On an official state website for Michigan unclaimed property, or
• Communicating directly with the insurance company’s official customer service (using contact information from your policy documents, insurance card, or the company’s official website)

4. Track Your Claim Status

After you submit your paperwork:

• The state or insurance company will review your claim.
• They may contact you if they need:
  • Additional identification
  • Clarification of your relationship to the insured person
  • Better-quality copies of documents

Processing times can vary. Some claims are resolved in a few weeks; others, especially those involving estates or complex ownership, can take longer.

Key Documents at a Glance

Below is a simple comparison of common claim situations and the documents that are often requested.

*Exact requirements can vary. Always follow the directions from the State of Michigan unclaimed property office or the insurance company.

Who Typically Qualifies to Claim Unclaimed Insurance Money?

You may be able to claim money in Michigan if you are:

• The original policyholder or insured person
• A named beneficiary on a life insurance policy or annuity
• A legal heir (for example, child, spouse, or next of kin), when:
  • No beneficiary was listed, or
  • The beneficiary has also passed away
• A court-appointed personal representative of an estate
• An authorized representative for a business or organization

The key is that you can prove your identity and your legal right to the funds.

What Happens After You File a Claim?

Once your claim is submitted through the official Michigan unclaimed property program or the insurance company:

1. Initial Review
   Staff review your documents to see if they match the records.

2. Requests for More Information (If Needed)
   You may be asked to:

   • Provide clearer copies
   • Submit additional proof of relationship or authority
   • Correct missing or inconsistent information

3. Approval or Denial

   • If approved, payment is typically sent by check or, in some cases, direct deposit (depending on the office or insurer’s policies).
   • If denied, you should receive a reason and, in many cases, instructions on how to correct or appeal.

4. Record Keeping
   It’s helpful to keep copies of:

   • All forms you submitted
   • Correspondence with the state or insurer
   • Check stubs or confirmation of payment

Common Reasons Claims Are Delayed or Denied

People often experience delays or denials for reasons such as:

• Incomplete forms

  • Leaving required fields blank
  • Not signing where needed

• Insufficient proof of identity

  • Expired ID
  • Unclear or unreadable document copies

• Missing proof of relationship or authority

  • No death certificate for a deceased policyholder
  • No legal document showing you are the executor or personal representative

• Name or address mismatches

  • Legal name changed (marriage, divorce) and not explained or documented
  • Address history not clearly tied to the name on the property record

If your claim is denied, you can usually contact the Michigan unclaimed property office or the insurance company for details. Many offices allow you to resubmit with updated information or follow a formal review or appeal process.

How to Handle Unclaimed Life Insurance Benefits for a Deceased Relative

If you think a deceased parent, spouse, or other relative may have had unclaimed life insurance in Michigan, it may help to:

1. Search their personal papers
   • Old mail, bank records, safe deposit boxes
   • Policy documents or premium bills
2. Contact their former employers
   • Ask about group life insurance or retirement benefits
3. Check with known insurance companies
   • Use any policy numbers or company names you find
4. Search the State of Michigan unclaimed property database
   • Use their full legal name and previous addresses
5. Gather estate documents
   • Death certificate
   • Any court documents naming an executor or personal representative
   • Proof of your relationship (birth certificate, marriage certificate)

If you are not the executor or personal representative, you may need to coordinate with the person who is legally responsible for the estate.

How to Tell If You’re Using an Official Channel (and Avoid Scams)

Because unclaimed money is a common target for scams, it’s important to verify you’re dealing with legitimate offices.

Here are practical tips:

• ✅ Check the web address
  • For the state program, the address should clearly show it is part of the State of Michigan (usually ending in “.gov”).
• ✅ Use trusted contact information
  • Phone numbers and addresses listed on:
    • Official state government sites
    • Your actual insurance policy documents
    • The back of your insurance card
• ✅ Be cautious with unsolicited contacts
  • Some companies and individuals offer “find your unclaimed money” services for a fee. In many cases, you can do the same search yourself for free using the official state resources.
• ✅ Protect your personal information
  • Do not send your Social Security number, bank account information, or ID copies to anyone unless you are confident you are dealing with an official state program or the actual insurance company.
• ✅ Ask questions
  • If someone claims they can get your unclaimed insurance money, ask:
    • Which official office are they working with?
    • Can you claim it yourself directly through the state?
    • Why is a fee necessary for something you can usually do without charge?

If you are unsure, you can call the Michigan state government’s main information line or the insurance company’s published customer service number to confirm the correct process.

If You Don’t Find Anything in Michigan’s Database

If your search does not show unclaimed insurance money under your name in Michigan, you may want to:

• Check other states where you or the deceased relative:
  • Lived
  • Worked
  • Held policies
• Contact insurance companies directly if you know a policy existed
• Review employer benefits records for:
  • Old jobs
  • Unions or professional associations

Each state runs its own unclaimed property program, and money may be located where the insurance company was based or where the policyholder last lived.

Where to Go Next

To move forward with claiming unclaimed insurance money and benefits in Michigan:

1. Search the official State of Michigan unclaimed property website for your name and any relatives who may have had policies.
2. Gather basic documents:
   • Photo ID
   • Proof of address
   • Estate and relationship documents, if claiming on behalf of someone else
3. Follow the instructions provided by:
   • The State of Michigan unclaimed property office, or
   • The insurance company’s official claims or customer service department
4. Keep copies of everything you submit and respond promptly if the state or insurer requests more information.

HowToGetAssistance.org cannot process claims or check your status, but by understanding how unclaimed insurance money is usually handled in Michigan and knowing which official offices to contact, you can take clear, confident steps toward recovering any benefits that may belong to you or your family.