Tennessee Locates $107 Million in Missing Life Insurance Benefits in 2025: How the NAIC Policy Locator Works
The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) announced that over $107 million in life insurance policies and benefits were located for Tennesseans in 2025 through the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator Service — shattering the previous record of $87.67 million set in 2024. The free nationwide service, developed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), helps beneficiaries, executors, and legal representatives find lost or forgotten life insurance policies and annuity contracts belonging to deceased loved ones.
“I am encouraged to see that Tennesseans are claiming life insurance benefits as these policies are intended by their purchasers to help cover financial burdens such as medical bills, funeral costs, and other financial obligations that can occur after the loss of a loved one,” said TDCI Commissioner Carter Lawrence. “It is my hope that the Life Insurance Policy Locator Service eases the burden that family members and loved ones may face after the passing of a loved one.”
How the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator Works
The Life Insurance Policy Locator Service is a free, confidential tool that connects grieving families with unclaimed life insurance benefits. Here’s the step-by-step process:
- Submit a request: Complete the NAIC’s online Life Insurance Policy Locator Service request form with the deceased person’s information — name, date of birth, date of death, and Social Security number.
- Nationwide search begins: The NAIC sends the policyholder’s information to all licensed life insurance companies across the United States.
- Companies check records: Each insurer searches its database for policies matching the deceased’s information.
- 60-day response window: If a company finds a match, they must respond directly to the requestor within 60 days — but only if the requestor is a designated beneficiary or legally authorized to receive the information.
From January 1 to December 31, 2025, the service located policies with $107,757,080 in total benefits for Tennessee residents alone. Nationwide, the NAIC reports that millions of dollars in life insurance benefits go unclaimed each year simply because beneficiaries don’t know the policies exist.
Why Life Insurance Policies Go Missing
Life insurance policies can become “lost” for several common reasons. Policyholders may pass away without informing beneficiaries about the policy’s existence. Paperwork can be misplaced during moves or estate transitions. Older policies purchased decades ago may have been forgotten entirely. In some cases, insurance companies merge or change names, making it difficult for families to track down coverage.
The NAIC created the Policy Locator Service specifically to address this problem. Rather than requiring families to contact dozens of insurance companies individually — a daunting task during an already difficult time — the service automates the search across the entire industry in one step.
Tennessee’s Record-Breaking Recovery: By the Numbers
| Year | Benefits Located in Tennessee | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $87.67 million | — |
| 2025 | $107.76 million | +22.9% |
The 22.9% year-over-year increase suggests growing awareness of the service among Tennessee consumers. TDCI actively promotes the Policy Locator through consumer outreach and encourages families to use it after a loved one’s passing.
Steps to Take Before Using the Policy Locator
TDCI recommends starting with a review of the deceased’s financial records before submitting a Policy Locator request. Look for:
- Bank statements showing premium payments to an insurance company
- Canceled checks or automatic withdrawals referencing an insurer’s name
- Physical policy documents stored in filing cabinets, safe deposit boxes, or digital files
- Tax returns that may list interest or dividends from a life insurance policy
- Employer benefits statements — many workplace life insurance policies go unclaimed
If any documents reference payments to an insurance company, contact that insurer directly first — it’s the fastest path to claiming benefits. If the paper trail is cold, the NAIC Policy Locator is your next step.
What the Policy Locator Can and Cannot Do
The service has important limitations consumers should understand. It does not track beneficiary information or claim payments after matches are reported, so there is no way to determine the amount actually returned to consumers. The $107 million figure represents the total face amount of policies matched — not necessarily the amount paid out, as some matches may involve policies that lapsed or had reduced benefits.
Additionally, the service only searches for policies on deceased individuals. It cannot locate living policyholders’ own forgotten policies. For living policyholders seeking their own coverage information, contacting state insurance departments or using the NAIC’s consumer resources is the recommended path.
Key Takeaways: Finding Lost Life Insurance Benefits
- $107 million recovered in one state: Tennessee’s 2025 recovery shattered the previous record, proving the NAIC Policy Locator works at scale.
- Free and nationwide: The NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator Service searches all licensed U.S. life insurers at no cost to consumers.
- Start with financial records: Before using the locator, check bank statements, tax returns, and employer benefits documents for evidence of premium payments.
- 60-day response window: Insurers must respond within 60 days if they find a matching policy — but only to designated beneficiaries or legal representatives.
Top Life Insurance Carriers for Final Expense and Burial Coverage
If you’re searching for a lost policy or considering new coverage to protect your family, understanding which carriers specialize in the types of policies most commonly unclaimed — final expense and smaller whole life policies — can help narrow your search. Here are five top-rated carriers that dominate the final expense and burial insurance market:
| Carrier | Coverage Range | Issue Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mutual of Omaha | $2,000–$40,000 | 45–85 | Guaranteed issue, no medical exam |
| AARP/New York Life | $5,000–$50,000 | 50–80 | AARP members, simplified underwriting |
| Colonial Penn | $1,000–$50,000 | 50–85 | Guaranteed acceptance, fixed premiums |
| Gerber Life | $5,000–$35,000 | 50–80 | Guaranteed issue, no waiting period after 2 years |
| AAA Life | $5,000–$50,000 | 45–85 | AAA members, competitive rates |
These carriers collectively hold millions of active policies — if your loved one had coverage through any of them, the NAIC Policy Locator will flag the match. For families who discover a lapsed or insufficient policy during their search, comparing quotes from these carriers can help fill the coverage gap quickly and affordably.
Related Resources
- NAIC Consumer Resources — Access the Life Insurance Policy Locator Service and other consumer protection tools
- AM Best Insurance Ratings — Verify the financial strength of any life insurance company
- Social Security Administration — Obtain the deceased’s SSN and death information needed for the Policy Locator request
If you’re managing a loved one’s estate, understanding what life insurance benefits may exist is a critical step. Our burial insurance guide explains how final expense policies work, our life insurance for retirees guide covers policies seniors commonly hold, and for help navigating the claims process, see our term life rates guide which includes a section on beneficiary claims.
Frequently Asked Questions About Finding Lost Life Insurance Policies
How do I find a deceased loved one’s lost life insurance policy?
Start by reviewing the deceased’s financial records — bank statements, tax returns, canceled checks, and employer benefits documents — for evidence of premium payments to an insurance company. If you find a company name, contact them directly. If the paper trail is cold, use the free NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator Service, which searches all licensed U.S. life insurers simultaneously.
Is the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator really free?
Yes. The NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator Service is completely free for consumers. There is no charge to submit a search request, and insurance companies cannot charge fees for responding to matches. Be wary of third-party services that charge fees for “lost policy searches” — the NAIC’s official tool does the same thing at no cost.
How long does the Policy Locator search take?
Insurance companies have up to 60 days to respond if they find a matching policy. Many respond faster, but the 60-day window is the industry standard. If no company responds within 90 days, it’s likely no matching policy was found — though it’s worth rechecking financial records for any missed clues.
What information do I need to use the Policy Locator?
You’ll need the deceased person’s full name, date of birth, date of death, and Social Security number. You must also be a designated beneficiary, executor, or legal representative of the deceased’s estate to receive match results directly from insurance companies.
Can I use the Policy Locator to find my own living policy?
No. The NAIC Policy Locator Service only searches for policies on deceased individuals. If you’re a living policyholder trying to locate your own forgotten coverage, contact your state insurance department or review your financial records for premium payment evidence.
How much money goes unclaimed in life insurance each year?
While nationwide figures vary, Tennessee’s $107 million recovery in a single year illustrates the scale of the problem. Millions of dollars in life insurance benefits go unclaimed annually across the U.S. simply because beneficiaries don’t know policies exist. The NAIC Policy Locator is the primary tool for closing this gap.
What if I need help with a life insurance claim?
If you’ve located a policy but need help navigating the claims process, contact the TDCI Consumer Insurance Service Division at 1-800-342-4029 (Tennessee residents) or your state’s insurance department. LifeQuotesWeb.com also provides free guidance on beneficiary claims and policy comparisons for those seeking new coverage.
Need life insurance coverage for your family? Compare life insurance quotes from top-rated carriers in minutes — free, no obligation, and ensure your loved ones never have to search for benefits you intended them to receive.
