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News Release

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Sept. 3, 2026)

NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator Tool Helps Match Consumers with More Than $16 Billion in Lost and Unclaimed Benefits

During Life Insurance Awareness Month, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) announced that its Life Insurance Policy Locator (LIPL) tool has helped consumers match more than $16 billion in lost and unclaimed benefits from life insurance policies and annuity contracts since the free tool launched in November 2016. 
 
This milestone reflects an increase of more than $3 billion in benefits since Aug. 31, 2025, underscoring the tool's growing positive impact.
 
Millions of dollars in life insurance benefits remain unclaimed every year. Beneficiaries may not be able to find their deceased loved one’s policies, or, in some cases, may not even know the policies exist. To help solve this issue, the NAIC created the Life Insurance Policy Locator.
 
“The Life Insurance Policy Locator reflects a core responsibility of state insurance regulation: ensuring consumers receive the benefits they are owed,” said Virginia Insurance Commissioner and NAIC President Scott A. White. “Life insurance exists to provide financial security when families need it most, and this tool is a clear example of consumer protection in action.” 
 
The NAIC’s online tool has received more than 1.5 million policy search requests. As a result, insurance companies have reported more than 780,000 matches with life insurance policies or annuities, totaling $16,991,229,586 through July 31, 2026.
 
How the Life Insurance Policy Locator Works
Consumers can submit a request through the secure, encrypted portal. After submission, they receive a confirmation email. If a match is found and the requester is identified as the beneficiary, the insurance company will contact them directly. Participating life insurance and annuity companies can access the information through a secure portal.
Participating insurers are responsible for reporting matches to state or territory insurance departments through the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator. Searches may take 90 business days or more to complete. A requester will not receive a response if:
 
  • No matches are found.
  • They are not the beneficiary.
  • They do not have the legal authority to obtain the policy information.
     
Consumers with questions about life insurance should contact their state or territory department of insurance. 

About the National Association of Insurance Commissioners

As part of our state-based system of insurance regulation in the United States, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) provides expertise, data, and analysis for insurance commissioners to effectively regulate the industry and protect consumers. The U.S. standard-setting organization is governed by the chief insurance regulators from the 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories. Through the NAIC, state insurance regulators establish standards and best practices, conduct peer reviews, and coordinate regulatory oversight. NAIC staff supports these efforts and represents the collective views of state regulators domestically and internationally.