Nearly $17 Billion in Lost Life Insurance Found: How to Search for a Loved One’s Policy

Original article: NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator Tool Helps Match Consumers with More Than $16 Billion in Lost and Unclaimed Benefits (NAIC, September 3, 2026)

Every year, life insurance money goes unclaimed simply because families don’t know a policy exists. In September, during Life Insurance Awareness Month, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) shared new numbers on its free tool for finding lost policies.

The News

• Since launching in November 2016, the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator has received more than 1.5 million search requests.
• Insurers have reported more than 780,000 matches with life insurance policies or annuities.
• Those matches total nearly $17 billion through July 31, 2026, up from about $13 billion a year earlier.

How the Locator Works

1. Submit a free request at the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator with information about the person who passed away. A copy of the death certificate is typically required.
2. Participating insurers search their records for a policy or annuity in that person’s name.
3. If a match is found and the requester is the beneficiary, the insurance company makes direct contact. Searches can take 90 business days or more.

The service is free. No one should ever have to pay for a policy search. California residents can also find guidance from the California Department of Insurance.

Preventing Lost Policies

The best fix is prevention. A policy only helps a family if the family knows about it.

• Tell a trusted person about any life insurance, which company issued it and where the paperwork is kept.
• Keep beneficiaries and contact information current, especially after a move, marriage, divorce or new child.
• Keep a simple list of all policies, including any coverage through work.

For help sorting through old paperwork or identifying existing coverage, contact us.

Read the original article: NAIC: Life Insurance Policy Locator helps match consumers with more than $16 billion in lost and unclaimed benefits (September 2026)
This post is for general education and isn’t personalized financial or legal advice.