Think a Loved One Had Life Insurance? Use This Free Policy Locator

The short answer

If a loved one has died and you think they had life insurance—but you cannot find the policy—the National Association of Insurance Commissioners offers a free online Policy Locator.

The service helps beneficiaries, executors, and legal representatives search participating life insurance and annuity companies. It does not guarantee a match or payment, but it gives families a secure place to start.

Why this tool matters now

On September 3, 2026, the NAIC reported that its locator had matched consumers with more than $16.9 billion in lost and unclaimed life insurance and annuity benefits since the service launched in November 2016. The total reflected more than 780,000 reported matches through July 31, 2026.

Pennsylvania also reported strong results. In an April 28, 2026 update, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department said the locator had produced 1,615 matches and helped recover $33.5 million for Pennsylvanians since January 1.

Who can submit a search?

Anyone may submit a request, but the tool is designed to connect a policy with the correct beneficiary or a person who has legal authority to receive information. It only searches for policies and annuity contracts belonging to someone who has died.

If a match is found and the requester is confirmed as the beneficiary, the insurance company contacts that person directly. The NAIC does not decide claims or keep the policy and beneficiary records itself.

What information should you gather?

The NAIC says the request uses information from the death certificate, including the deceased person’s legal name, date of birth, date of death, and Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number. The form also asks about the requester’s relationship to the deceased.

Use the official locator website and enter sensitive information only through its secure form. Do not post Social Security numbers, death certificates, policy numbers, or banking information on social media or in a public website message.

What happens after the request?

The requester receives a confirmation email. Participating insurers can then compare the submitted information with their records. The NAIC says searches may take 90 business days or longer.

You may not receive a response if no match is found, if you are not the beneficiary, or if you do not have legal authority to obtain the information. A match is not the same as an approved claim; the insurer will explain its claim requirements.

A simple hypothetical example

Hypothetical example: after her father dies, an Ohio resident finds an old bank statement showing a payment to an unfamiliar insurance company, but no policy documents. She gathers the information from his death certificate and submits a request through the official NAIC locator.

If a participating insurer finds a policy and confirms that she is the beneficiary, the insurer—not Shad Burgess Insurance or the NAIC—would contact her about the next steps.

Do a quick family check before information gets lost

Policyholders can make the process easier by telling a beneficiary or trusted person that coverage exists, sharing the legal name of the insurance company, and keeping current policy information with other important records.

This does not mean leaving sensitive documents in an unsecured place. The goal is to make sure the right person knows where to look and whom to contact.

Questions about an existing policy or new coverage?

Shad Burgess Insurance helps Ohio and Pennsylvania families understand life insurance in plain English. If you want to organize current coverage, check beneficiary information, or discuss a new policy, use the website’s booking button or request form to start a conversation.

Shad Burgess Insurance does not control the NAIC locator, determine whether a lost policy exists, or decide any claim. Claims and eligibility are determined by the issuing insurance company under the policy terms.

Frequently asked questions

Is the NAIC Policy Locator free? Yes. The NAIC describes it as a free public service.

Can it search for a living person’s policy? No. The locator is for life insurance policies and annuity contracts belonging to someone who has died.

Will the NAIC tell me whether I am a beneficiary? No. If a participating insurer finds a match and confirms that you are the beneficiary, the insurer contacts you.

How long can a search take? The NAIC says 90 business days or longer. No response may mean there was no match, you were not the beneficiary, or you lacked legal authority to receive the information.