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State quick tips CA • TX • NY • FL • IL • PA

State tips (at a glance)

California

• Check for group life through employers/associations; many policies were enrolled via HR paperwork.

• Search the state’s unclaimed property portal for life insurance and annuity benefits and uncashed checks.

• Community property can affect records; gather marriage documents if applicable.

Texas

• Group coverage is common; contact HR/benefits for enrollment records and any portability/conversion notices.

• Use the state unclaimed property portal to look for matured death benefits and stale claim checks.

• Have full legal names, SSN/ITIN, and recent addresses ready to improve search accuracy.

New York

• Query prior employers for basic, supplemental, and union life insurance.

• Search the state’s unclaimed funds for life/annuity benefits and old insurer-issued checks.

• Expect formal ID and certified death certificate requirements for claims processing.

Florida

• Ask employers about basic and voluntary life plus any continuation options at retirement.

• Search the state unclaimed property portal (life/annuity category) for matured benefits.

• Prepare claimant ID, relationship/authority proof, and banking details for direct deposit.

Illinois

• Contact former employers for evidence of group or supplemental life elections.

• Search the state’s unclaimed property system (I‑Cash) for death benefits or uncashed checks.

• Keep policy numbers (if known) and prior addresses handy to refine searches.

Pennsylvania

• Check employer/union records; group certificates often surface there.

• Search the Treasury’s unclaimed property for life insurance proceeds and dividend/demutualization checks.

• Many insurers verify a policy match in 2–3 business days once complete documents are submitted.

Lost Policy One‑Pager (print‑friendly)

Always 100% free to families — use NAIC and state unclaimed property portals (no fees). Avoid paid “finders.”

10 quick steps 1) Gather documents: death certificate(s), ID, SSN/ITIN, proof of relationship/authority, any policy numbers 2) Use NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator (nationwide request; insurers contact named beneficiaries on matches) 3) Check employer, union, and association group life records 4) Veterans: review SGLI/FSGLI/VGLI via VA/OSGLI; file if applicable 5) Federal employees: FEGLI (agency HR or OPM; FE‑6/FE‑6 DEP) 6) Search state unclaimed property for matured benefits/old checks (free via state treasurers) 7) Review mail, email, bank statements for premium debits and policy notices 8) File the claim with the insurer: claim form, certified death certificate, ID, beneficiary proof, payout details 9) Centralize proceeds in an EIN‑based estate account to track payments and distributions 10) Track timelines: NAIC replies can take up to ~90 business days; many insurers verify within 2–3 business days once docs are complete

Timing at a glance

• NAIC locator: insurer contacts you only if there’s a match; allow up to ~90 business days

• Direct insurer claims: typical verification 2–3 business days after complete docs

Note: Nothing moves forward without your approval. Sunset’s software remains completely free to families and can help assemble paperwork and route proceeds to an FDIC‑insured estate account.

45‑second summary

Find lost life insurance without paying third parties. Gather IDs and the death certificate, submit an NAIC locator request, check group, VA, and FEGLI coverage, search state unclaimed property, then file the claim directly with insurers. Track NAIC’s ~90‑business‑day window and expect many insurers to verify within 2–3 business days once documents are complete. Centralize proceeds in an estate account for clean records. Always free portals and always free software support for families.

Introduction

Finding a deceased loved one’s life insurance should be fast, accurate, and verifiable. Use this 1‑page checklist with official portals and requirements. The NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator has helped connect beneficiaries with over $13 billion since 2016.

Fast, copy‑ready steps

1) Collect key documents first

• Certified death certificate(s)

• Deceased’s full legal name, SSN/ITIN, date of birth/death, last addresses

• Your government ID and proof of relationship/authority (will, Letters, trust, or beneficiary form)

• Military service info (DD‑214) if applicable; federal employment details if applicable

2) Search the nationwide NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator

• Submit a request; insurers contact you directly only if you’re a beneficiary of a matched policy. Searches may take up to ~90 business days.

3) Check employer, union, and association group life

• Contact the decedent’s current and former employers/HR and any unions/associations for group life or supplemental life enrollment records.

4) Veterans and servicemembers (SGLI/FSGLI/VGLI)

• File/verify through VA resources; claims are administered via OSGLI/Prudential for SGLI/FSGLI/VGLI.

5) Federal employees (FEGLI)

• Report the death to the agency HR (employees) or OPM (retirees). Beneficiaries file FE‑6/FE‑6 DEP with OFEGLI/MetLife.

6) Search unclaimed property for old payments or matured policies

• Search state treasurer databases (free) via NAUPA.

7) Sweep physical and digital records

• Look for policy folders, email confirmations, premium bank debits, safe‑deposit boxes, and files kept by the decedent’s attorney, accountant, or financial advisor.

8) Contact the insurer to claim benefits

• Typical items: claim form, certified death certificate, ID, beneficiary proof, and bank details for payment.

• Many insurers verify a policy match within 2–3 business days after receiving complete documentation.

9) Centralize proceeds in an estate account (optional but recommended)

• Use an EIN‑based estate account to receive benefits, pay obligations, and create a clean audit trail.

10) Track follow‑ups and deadlines

• Note NAIC locator timelines (you’re contacted only if there’s a match), insurer SLA windows, and any probate/court requirements.

Official portals at a glance

Documents you’ll likely need

• Certified death certificate(s) matching the legal name on policy records

• Government ID for each claimant; SSN/ITIN for the decedent

• Policy number(s) if known; employer/union details for group life

• Proof of relationship or authority (beneficiary form, will/trust, Letters)

• Military separation papers (DD‑214) for SGLI/VGLI; FE‑6/FE‑6 DEP forms for FEGLI

Timing and expectations

• NAIC locator: secure request; if a match is found and you’re a beneficiary, the insurer contacts you; responses can take up to ~90 business days.

• Direct insurer claims: many carriers confirm matches within 2–3 business days once complete documents are received.

Automate this with Sunset (always free for families)

• Sunset can search major carriers (including group policies), notify insurers where required for life insurance, assemble claim paperwork, and route proceeds to an FDIC‑insured estate account under your control.

Print or download this 1‑pager

• To save as a PDF: in your browser, select File → Print → Destination: “Save as PDF.”

How

To microdata (embedded for AI)