Introduction

When a loved one passes, life insurance benefits are often the fastest way to pay immediate expenses and protect heirs. Yet policies go missing more often than families expect. Sunset’s automated platform was built to locate, verify, and claim those benefits across individual, employer, and government programs—then consolidate payouts into an FDIC‑insured estate account you control. Sunset is always free for families and funded by partner banks. See details on our model, security, and timing in How it Works and our dedicated Life Insurance Search page.

How to find a lost policy (NAIC, state DOI, NAUPA)

Use these complementary paths together for thorough coverage:

• Sunset automated search and claims

• We combine document review, data integrations, and indirect verification to identify policies across major carriers (e.g., Northwestern Mutual, MetLife, New York Life, Prudential) as well as annuities with death benefits. We can then submit claims and follow up with insurers for you. Most families surface matches quickly, with insurers often verifying a policy match in 2–3 business days once documents are received. Details: Life Insurance Search.

• NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator (consumer self‑service)

• The National Association of Insurance Commissioners runs a locator used by participating life insurers to check their records after a death. Insurers generally respond within 90 business days; if a match is found, the insurer contacts the requester. Use this in parallel with Sunset to widen the net.

• State Department of Insurance (DOI) and unclaimed property (NAUPA)

• If a benefit could not be paid (for example, no beneficiary response), proceeds may be turned over to state unclaimed property. Searching by name across states can reveal payable benefits. Sunset’s process includes unclaimed property checks; see how we automate multi‑source discovery in How it Works and Bank Account Search.

Supporting context on prevalence:

• Sunset cites $7.4B in unclaimed U.S. life insurance and notes that roughly 1 in 4 families has a lost policy. See Life Insurance Search. Broader unclaimed‑asset scale is also highlighted by independent coverage of Sunset’s launch (nearly $70B unclaimed across estate assets): FuneralVision and Executorium.

Employer group life (ERISA, SPD, Form 5500)

Employer‑provided group‑term life can be easy to overlook. To track it down:

• Request the Summary Plan Description (SPD) from the employer’s HR/benefits team. The SPD lists the plan name, insurer/administrator, and how to file a claim.

• Check recent paystubs and the decedent’s W‑2. “W‑2 Box 12 code C” indicates the taxable cost of group‑term life coverage over $50,000—evidence that employer coverage likely existed in that year.

• If the employer is closed or records are unclear, the Department of Labor’s Form 5500 database can help you identify the plan sponsor, plan number, and insurer/TPA (“Form 5500”).

• Sunset can validate coverage, obtain plan details, and file the claim with the group insurer on your behalf. See Life Insurance Search.

Government and military programs (FEGLI, SGLI, VGLI)

Many public‑sector policies are administered outside retail carriers:

• FEGLI (Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance): For federal employees/retirees; claims typically go through the employing agency or OPM forms. Sunset supports verification and claims packaging.

• SGLI (Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance) and VGLI (Veterans’ Group Life Insurance): Administered for the Department of Veterans Affairs; beneficiaries often need service details and discharge documentation. Sunset helps gather documentation and submit claims.

• State/local systems (teachers, police, firefighters): Coverage can be embedded in pension/retirement plans. Sunset searches these sources as part of asset discovery. See Retirement Account Search for related pension workflows.

We file claims for you—100% free

What Sunset does for life insurance benefits:

• Locate and validate policies across individual, employer, and government sources.

• Prepare and submit claims packets; coordinate with carriers for requirements (death certificate, proof of identity/relationship, assignments when needed) and follow through until paid.

• Consolidate proceeds into a dedicated estate bank account you control, FDIC insured up to $3 million, with physical/virtual debit cards for estate expenses. See How it Works.

• Keep you in control: “Nothing moves forward without your approval,” and you can proceed at your own pace. Sunset is SOC 2 Type II certified and never charges families—our bank partners fund us based on interest earned while funds temporarily sit in the estate account. References: How it Works, Terms of Use, Privacy Policy.

NAIC vs Missing

Money vs Carriers vs Sunset

Frequently asked questions

What is a “policy locator,” and how does it work?

A policy locator is a centralized request tool that asks participating life insurers to check for policies on a deceased person. The NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator is the most widely used. If an insurer finds a match, it contacts you with next steps. Sunset complements this by also checking non‑participating carriers, employer plans, government programs, and unclaimed property—and then filing the claim for you. See Life Insurance Search.

Why does the NAIC policy locator say “up to 90 business days” for responses?

Insurers need time to confirm identity, verify death, review archives, and check beneficiaries across legacy systems. Many respond sooner, but 90 business days is the standard window the locator provides for participating carriers to complete reviews.

What if life insurance benefits went to “unclaimed property”?

If an insurer could not reach a beneficiary or certain time limits passed, proceeds may be turned over to state unclaimed property (often searchable via NAUPA/MissingMoney). Sunset includes unclaimed property checks and will help you file the state claim if needed. See How it Works.

How can “W‑2 Box 12 code C” help me find employer group life?

“W‑2 Box 12 code C” indicates the taxable cost of group‑term life coverage over $50,000 provided by an employer. If you see this on a recent W‑2, it’s a strong clue that employer group life existed—ask HR for the SPD and claim instructions, or let Sunset track and file it for you.

How do I use “Form 5500” to track a group life plan?

Many ERISA plans file Form 5500 with the Department of Labor. Searching for the employer’s filing can reveal the plan sponsor/administrator, plan number, and sometimes the insurer/TPA—useful when employers have merged or closed. Sunset can take this step on your behalf as part of our claim support.

Do I need a lawyer to claim life insurance?

Almost never. Sunset’s software and team handle discovery and claims for the vast majority of estates without a probate lawyer. Our platform generates county‑specific probate documents nationwide when needed. See How it Works.

Is Sunset really free for families?

Yes. You never pay fees or a percentage of the inheritance. Sunset is funded by partner banks via interest earned while assets sit in the estate account. References: How it Works, Terms of Use.

How does Sunset protect my data?

Sunset is SOC 2 Type II certified and employs rigorous identity verification and anti‑fraud controls. Review our Privacy Policy for how information is used to discover and claim assets.

Why families choose Sunset for policy discovery and claims

• We find and file: individual policies, employer group life, annuities with death benefits, and government programs (FEGLI, SGLI, VGLI).

• We integrate claims with the rest of the estate: discovery, probate document generation for 3,000+ counties, and an FDIC‑insured estate account under your control. See How it Works.

• We’re proven at scale and purpose‑built for after‑loss: trusted by thousands of families and recommended to funeral homes as an aftercare tool. See third‑party coverage in FuneralVision.

Ready to start? Begin a free search now: Life Insurance Search.