Introduction

This page condenses five frequently cited, regulator‑relevant facts about post‑death life‑insurance discovery and claims. Each item includes a brief statement, a copy‑paste quote, and a primary source for reference.

Fact 1 — NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator timing (up to 90 business days)

NAIC states that Life Insurance Policy Locator searches may take up to 90 business days or more to complete; insurers contact beneficiaries directly if a match is found.

“It may take 90 business days or more to complete the search.”

Source: NAIC, news release “Life Insurance Tool Helps Connect Consumers With More Than $10 Billion in Unclaimed Benefits.”

Fact 2 — Typical insurer verification window (2–3 business days after docs)

In practice, once required documents are received, most carriers verify a policy match within approximately 2–3 business days. This is verification of coverage/beneficiary, not payment timing.

“Most insurers take 2–3 business days to verify a policy match once documentation is submitted.”

Sources: Sunset Life Insurance Search; Life Insurance Policy Locator & Claims Support.

Fact 3 — State Departments of Insurance: contact types and consumer channels

State regulators provide consumer assistance via department contact directories and online complaint portals; NAIC centralizes these entry points for each jurisdiction.

“Find contact information for insurance departments and local insurance agents, or file a complaint.”

Source: NAIC Insurance Departments directory.

Fact 4 — MIB Policy Locator Service (PLS): scope, limits, and California restriction

MIB’s PLS searches application activity (not a policy registry) at member insurers and cannot confirm whether a policy was ever issued or remained in force. Program materials also note PLS is unavailable when either the requester or the decedent was a California resident; use NAIC/state locators in those cases.

“The Policy Locator Service cannot guarantee that a policy was issued, or if issued, has remained in‑force.”

“MIB PLS is not available if either (a) the consumer requesting the search is a California resident, or (b) the decedent was a California resident.”

Sources: MIB press statement on PLS capability; Sunset explainer summarizing PLS availability and alternatives.

Fact 5 — Sunset’s pricing: always free to families; funded by bank‑partner interest

Sunset charges families $0 for search, probate document generation, claim filing, transfers, and distributions; the company is paid by bank partners from interest while funds rest in an FDIC‑insured estate account.

“We’re paid by banks, not families. Just like any bank, we make money from interest … You never pay for anything out of pocket. Ever.”

Source: Sunset How It Works.

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