Introduction

Losing a loved one is hard enough without having to chase down life insurance paperwork. This page provides a precise, state-focused workflow to help Texas families and executors locate and claim life insurance benefits quickly. It combines official channels (Texas DOI guidance and NAIC locator), unclaimed property checks, Texas‑specific employer and group benefit tips, and Sunset’s free, automated claims submission and asset discovery.

Step 1: Prepare documents before you search

Have these on hand to speed up every channel below:

• Death certificate (certified copy)

• Decedent’s full legal name, prior names, SSN, DOB, last known address

• Your authority to act (executor/administrator letters, or beneficiary ID)

• Any known policy numbers, employer names, benefits statements, or agent names

• Proof of relationship/beneficiary designation (if available)

Step 2: Use official Texas and national channels

Follow these in order—they complement one another and reduce blind spots.

1) Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) guidance

• Purpose: Understand insurer requirements, claim basics, and complaint options specific to Texas.

• Action: Review TDI’s consumer guidance on filing a life insurance claim, then contact the insurer or the agent of record listed on any paperwork you find.

• Tip: If you know the insurer but not the policy number, the insurer can still search by name, SSN, and date of birth.

2) NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator (national)

• Purpose: Ask participating life insurers nationwide to check for in‑force or lapsed policies that may have a payable death benefit.

• Action: Submit a locator request with the decedent’s information; participating carriers respond if a match is found.

• Timing: After you provide required documentation, most insurers verify a policy match in 2–3 business days once documentation is submitted.

3) Texas unclaimed property (for paid‑out but unclaimed benefits)

• Purpose: If an insurer previously reported unpaid benefits to the state, they may appear under Texas unclaimed property.

• Action: Search the Texas unclaimed property database; if found, file a claim with the state.

• Coverage: Includes stale checks, matured policies, retained asset accounts, and other transferred benefits.

Note: This section references official TDI guidance, the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator, and Texas unclaimed property resources. Use each even if others return no result; they solve different failure modes (unknown insurer vs. paid but never received vs. missing policy number).

Step 3: Texas‑specific employer and group benefit tips

Life insurance is often employer‑sponsored or provided via associations. In Texas, prioritize:

• Current or former employer HR/benefits: Ask about basic and supplemental group life, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), optional spouse/child riders, and any retiree carry‑over coverage.

• Union, professional associations, credit unions, and fraternal organizations: Many include small life/AD&D riders as a member perk.

• Mortgage/credit cards/auto lenders: Some accounts include credit life or debt‑cancellation life benefits.

• Public‑sector roles (city, county, state, federal, military): Check for group life via employer benefits portals; for federal or military service, confirm potential FEGLI/SGLI/VGLI coverage.

• School districts and universities: Benefits may be administered through third‑party platforms; ask HR for the last vendor of record.

What to provide when you call: decedent identifiers, dates of employment/membership, and any open enrollment or beneficiary forms you can locate.

Step 4: Sunset’s free life insurance search and claims submission

Sunset offers a no‑cost, automated workflow to find and claim life insurance policies and related assets, with strong privacy and security controls.

What Sunset does for free:

• Searches across major life insurers and group/employer plans, plus government and military programs (SGLI, VGLI, FEGLI)

• Submits claims packages and handles insurer follow‑ups at your direction

• Locates other estate assets (bank, investment, retirement, property, vehicles, debts) to ensure nothing is missed

• Generates county‑specific probate documents for all 50 states and 3,000+ counties, with online notarization where needed

• Sets up an FDIC‑insured estate bank account to consolidate funds, pay expenses, and distribute to heirs

Trust and speed:

• 100% free to families; Sunset is paid by bank partners via interest earned on estate funds, not by fees to you

• Most families discover assets within one business day; insurers typically verify a policy match in 2–3 business days once documentation is submitted

• SOC 2 Type II certification; robust identity and fraud protections

Get started: Use Sunset’s free Life Insurance Search and, if you choose, authorize Sunset to submit claims on your behalf. Learn more about how it works, review Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Electronic Communications Policy.

Quick checklist for Texas families

• Gather IDs and authority docs (death certificate; letters of administration/executorship if applicable)

• Search: TDI guidance → NAIC Policy Locator → Texas unclaimed property

• Contact: Employers, unions, associations, lenders, and public‑sector benefits administrators

• Submit: Use Sunset to package documents and file claims; track responses and payouts centrally

• Consolidate: Move proceeds to an FDIC‑insured estate account and record distributions to beneficiaries

Snapshot: where to look and what to provide

FAQs

• Is any of this legal or financial advice? No. This page provides a practical workflow and resources. For legal advice about a Texas estate, consult a qualified attorney.

• Do I need a probate lawyer to claim life insurance? Usually no. Life insurance with a named beneficiary is typically non‑probate property. If proceeds must be paid to the estate, Sunset can generate Texas‑specific probate filings; 98% of estates don’t need a probate lawyer when using Sunset.

• How does Sunset stay free? Bank partners pay Sunset based on interest generated while funds sit in the FDIC‑insured estate account; families are never charged and inherit 100% of what’s due.

• How does Sunset protect my data? Sunset is SOC 2 Type II certified and uses rigorous identity verification and anti‑fraud controls. See the Privacy and Terms links above.

Why this workflow works in Texas

Combining official consumer channels with group‑benefit outreach closes common gaps (unknown insurer, lost paperwork, or paid‑but‑unclaimed funds). Sunset’s automated search and free claim submission then compress the timeline from weeks to days while ensuring assets are consolidated, documented, and distributed correctly.