When a close relative or loved one passes, life insurance benefits can help pay for their final expenses and more. If you're not sure whether your loved one had a life insurance policy in place, you may be able to find out. Try a few of the III's suggestions for looking up the information:

Check with state officials.

If you know a policy exists, but can't find the documents, try the NAIC's Life Insurance Policy Locator System. The organization can check with participating insurers to see whether they have a policy in your deceased loved one's name. You can also search the state's unclaimed property department to see if you are due any funds.

Look in storage areas for evidence of a past payment.

If you're uncertain whether your loved one had a life insurance policy, check through storage areas such as file cabinets and safety deposit boxes to uncover old billing notices or receipts for paid premiums (Some life insurance companies still use mail as a primary means of communication, the III says). Then, look through bank statements, canceled checks or credit card statements to find any record of past premium payments.

Contact financial professionals and employers.

Look through address books to find contact information for your loved one's financial professional, who may have sold them a policy. You can also check with your loved one's insurance provider to see if your relative also had a life insurance policy with the same insurer. You might also reach out to your loved one's workplace (or past employer) to find out if there is a policy in place. Of course, you may have to provide some identification or otherwise show that you're entitled to the records.

Review tax returns and other policies.

Review recent tax returns and look for interest payments from an insurance company. Also, be sure to review the application from any life insurance policies that you do know about (it's usually attached to the policy), because it will often provide evidence of any other life insurance that was in effect at the time, the III says.

Use a third-party company.

According to the III, private companies can help assist you with the search for a lost life insurance policy by contacting the deceased's insurance companies on your behalf. Keep in mind you may have to pay for this type of service.