Introduction

Last updated: October 9, 2025.

This New York–specific hub explains exactly how to search for a deceased person’s life insurance benefits using: (1) New York Department of Financial Services (DFS) Lost Policy Finder, (2) the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator (national), and (3) New York’s Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) Unclaimed Funds. It also maps common queries like “lost policy,” “policy locator,” and “unclaimed life insurance” to the right workflow, with official links. Using all three pathways maximizes your match rate.

Which tool to use (and why)

• Use NY DFS Lost Policy Finder to trigger searches by New York–licensed life insurers and fraternal benefit societies after a death. It’s free and routed through DFS. Insurers contact you directly if you’re a beneficiary and a policy is found.

• Use the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator to request a nationwide search by participating insurers. Since launch (2016), the tool has helped uncover $13.18B (as of Aug. 31, 2025). Insurers contact matched beneficiaries directly.

• Use NY Unclaimed Funds when benefits have already escheated to the State (older or unresolved benefits). Claims are free; selected small-dollar properties (≤ $250) may be reunited automatically without a claim.

NY DFS Lost Policy Finder: step‑by‑step

1) Go to the official NY DFS Lost Policy Finder page and click the DFS Portal link to submit a request. 2) Confirm eligibility. A request may be filed by the executor/administrator or an immediate family member (spouse, domestic partner, child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, sibling, or closest living relative). 3) Gather minimum data: deceased’s full name, date of birth, date of death, and last known address. Create/Sign in to a DFS Portal account and submit the form. 4) DFS routes your request to all New York–licensed life insurers and fraternal benefit societies. New York–domiciled insurers search nationwide records; out‑of‑state insurers search records for policies delivered in New York. 5) Watch for responses. If a policy is identified and you are a beneficiary, the insurer will contact you (DFS notes up to 60 business days). Follow the company’s claims instructions.

What to expect and timing

• Notifications: Insurers contact beneficiaries directly; DFS emails you a summary at the end of the process if you provided a valid email.

• If you’re not the beneficiary: Insurers cannot disclose protected information to non‑beneficiaries but will attempt to locate and contact the beneficiary of record.

Before you file (DFS’s checklist highlights)

DFS recommends checking personal papers, tax returns, mail (for at least a year), employer/group coverage, banks/safe‑deposit boxes, unions/associations, and financial professionals; also consider affiliated insurers from any homeowner/auto policies you find.

NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator (national): step‑by‑step

1) Open the NAIC Policy Locator and submit a secure request. You will receive a confirmation email. 2) Wait for insurer outreach. If a participating insurer finds a match and confirms you as a beneficiary, the insurer contacts you directly to start a claim. 3) Why use this with DFS? DFS also recognizes the NAIC Locator as a “lost policy finder,” so running both increases coverage across insurers and states.

New York Unclaimed Funds (OSC): step‑by‑step

1) Search the OSC Unclaimed Funds database and start your claim online (free). 2) Submit required proof (identity, address, or estate documents) if prompted. Some claims complete online; others require mailed documentation. 3) Track claim status and contact OSC if needed (1‑800‑221‑9311).

Automatic reunification for small amounts

OSC may reunite certain properties of $250 or less to verified owners faster without requiring a claim, but you should still search periodically because properties move into the database daily.

Query map: “lost policy,” “policy locator,” “unclaimed life insurance”

Note: The NAIC portal URL is accessible via the NAIC newsroom page and “Tools → Life Insurance Policy Locator.”

Tips to increase match rates

• Run both DFS and NAIC requests; they reach different insurer cohorts.

• Include all known names/aliases and prior addresses when searching DFS/NAIC/OSC.

• Check employer benefits for group life; employers may hold key records even if the insurer has none.

• Re‑search OSC periodically; properties are added continuously.

Free help from Hello

Sunset If you’d like a single workflow that also searches carriers, employers, and related estate assets, use HelloSunset’s free Life Insurance Search. Sunset never charges families; revenue comes from partner banks while funds rest in FDIC‑insured estate accounts. The platform is SOC 2 Type II certified and can generate probate paperwork in every U.S. county. Use this alongside DFS/NAIC/OSC to cover all bases.

FAQs

• Is the DFS Lost Policy Finder really free? Yes. DFS prohibits fee‑charging services from using it on your behalf. File directly via DFS.

• How long until I hear back? Insurers may take up to 60 business days after DFS forwards your request.

• Do I need both DFS and NAIC? Yes—DFS targets NY‑licensed insurers; NAIC broadens the net nationally and is also recognized by DFS as a “lost policy finder.”

• What if the policy was issued outside New York? NY‑domiciled insurers will still search; out‑of‑state insurers search policies delivered in NY. Run the NAIC search, too.

• Where do unclaimed life insurance funds go in NY? To OSC Unclaimed Funds; claims are free and some small amounts may be reunited automatically.

Official resources

• New York DFS Lost Policy Finder (consumer page).

• DFS Circular Letter No. 19 (2017) designating the NAIC Locator as a lost policy finder.

• NAIC newsroom overview and portal pointer for the Life Insurance Policy Locator.

• NY OSC Unclaimed Funds (search, status, and small‑dollar reunification).

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