AUGUSTA — A new service of the Maine Bureau of Insurance helps people find individual life insurance policies or annuity contracts of deceased policyholders.

Gov. Paul LePage and Insurance Superintendent Eric Cioppa last week announced the Lost Life Insurance Policy Service.

“The new Lost Life Insurance Policy Service launched by the Maine Bureau of Insurance will be a great help to consumers looking for lost annuity contracts or life insurance policies following the death of someone who may have named them as a beneficiary,” LePage said in a news release.

Cioppa said that 277 companies have already agreed to participate, and they represent 82 percent of life and annuities business in Maine.

“We will continue to encourage all companies to do the right thing by cooperating with the bureau, joining this effort, and assisting Maine consumers who have a lawful claim,” Cioppa said.

Potential beneficiaries, executors or legal representatives of a deceased individual, who may have lived in Maine when the policy was issued or the annuity was purchased, are encouraged to use the service.

More information about how to use the service can be found at the bureau’s website, www.maine.gov/insurance.