My mum has found an old insurance policy

[Saltire]

It is from a company called Wesleyan and General. it is dated 1st october 1946 (2 months after she was born). There is an attachemnt saying that it's a duplicate as original document was lost.
1 form says "sum assured £15, payable on death of Life Assured (my mums maiden name)

2nd from says "sum assured £17.50, payable on death of life assured"

Then it says date of entitelment, 2nd october 2015 - my mum will be 70 on this date.
She gets very muddled when things are explained to her, adn I have said that from what she's told me her parents took out a life insuracne policy for her, payble on her death if she died before she was 70.. However, it seems there has been no communication with the company since 1974, when they issued the replacement document.
I know if I ring them they won't chat to me, even though I have the policy number.
Is there likely to be anything there, after all, we don't know when the last payment was made.
If I write to them on mums behalf will they help me out?

I don't know the legal position but write anyway - it can't do any harm. have you checked if the insurance company is still trading or has been subsumed into another company? it's a long time.

It depends on whether they were required to make regular payments or just a one of payment, if one off payment then there will definately be a payment due, is she definatly the life assured, I would imagine that they would insure their lives in case she was left alone???

If regular payments were required then the policy would have become inactive but there maybe some value still in it.

You defintaly need to contact the company, if they dont exist the policy would have been sold onto another company and should still be accesible.

If your mum is willing for you to discuss it she can go through the security questions and give you permission to discuss her account. Otherwise you can call the co0mpany on her behalf and ask that they send details of the policy to your mother.

HTH

The company is still trading, although they seem to be aimed more at Dr's, Lawyers etc.
It is definately her name in teh Life Assured part fo the document, it says to be paid out in 2015.

I will write tot hem anyway, and see what they say

This is a bit morbid but I know my gran took out policies in case she had to bury her children - they were a type of funeral fund

It's possibly that, it is definately a Life Insurance, taken out by my Granny in 1946 (the year mum was born).

You are quite correct that the insurance company is still going and that you should write to them. If you are unsure what to write, there's a range of standard letters avaialable on the www.PolicyDetective.com website. Just do a search for the old company and then select the letter you require. You can then print it or save it with the current contact address for the old insurance company. PolicyDetective.com - What's Your Old Policy Worth?

I think people used to take them out in the old days for children, because mortality was so high. I THINK they won't be able to discuss it with you unless you have power of attourney - so get that (it's worth doing anyway if your mum is getting on a bit or if you are next of kin)

You do not need power of attorney, just a letter from your mother saying that she gives you the authority to contact the insurance company with regards to her insurance policy.
I do this alot of the time in my job and a letter will suffice.
Alternatively you can write the letter with the questions you want to ask and just get your mother to sign it and wait for the reply.