Quora Answer: Could You be a Beneficiary of Someone’s Life Insurance without Knowing about It?

The following is my answer to a Quora question: “Could you be the beneficiary on someone’s life insurance policy without ever knowing it?”

Yes, that is possible.  The policy owner need only fill up a nomination of beneficiary form, with the requisite details, such as your name, your date of birth, your address, your tax identification number, and your share of the insurance payout, in percentage terms.  It is conceivable that someone, especially your parent, or spouse, would have this information, and fill up such a form without your knowledge.  Neither your acknowledgement, nor your consent is required on the documentation, for the nomination to be legally valid.