** This article has been revised from its original version which was published on December 11, 2019.

Our estate administration lawyers understand how frustrating it is to locate documents after a loved one has passed. Luckily, we can provide New York estate administration resources in your time of need. If you have diligently searched through your deceased loved one’s financial records, tax returns, personal possessions, and safe deposit boxes, and you still can’t identify and locate their life insurance policies and annuity contracts, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) may be able to help you.

Search Request Form

As a consumer, you can submit a search request form to the NAIC at no charge. The form is simple and can be completed and submitted on the NAIC website. You will need some information, including:

• Your deceased loved one’s full legal name (and any prior legal names)
• Last known address (and any prior addresses)
• Date of birth
• Date of death
• Social security number
• Veteran status
• Your relationship to the deceased loved one

Since NAIC is a national service, your search request will cover the entire United States, not just the state where your deceased loved one resided at the time of their death.

How the Process Works

Upon receipt of your search request, the NAIC will contact the participating life insurance and annuity companies with your inquiry. Each company will search its records to determine whether your deceased loved one owned any life insurance policies or annuity contracts with them. If the companies have information about any life insurance policies or annuity contracts in the name of your deceased loved one, they will contact you directly, provided you are the designated beneficiary, executor, or administrator authorized to receive the information. Please note that the companies may request additional information and documents, such as a certified copy of the Certificate of Death and the Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration appointing you as executor or administrator.

What Happens If You Don’t Receive a Response?

If you don’t receive a response from any of the participating life insurance or annuity companies within ninety (90) business days of your search request submission to NAIC, it most likely means that you’re not the designated beneficiary, aren’t authorized to receive the information, or that the participating companies didn’t locate any life insurance policies or annuity contracts in the name of your deceased loved.

The following contact information will be useful to conduct your NAIC search request for life insurance policies and annuity contracts in the name of your deceased loved one:

National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)

Life Insurance Policy Locator Service

1100 Walnut Street

Suite 1500

Kansas City, MO 64106-2197

Service Desk

(816) 783-8500

8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (CT)

Monday – Friday

https://eapps.naic.org/life-policy-locator

We Can Help

At Russo Law Group, P.C., we understand how difficult it is to cope with the death of a loved one while trying to navigate the New York estate administration process. Our estate administration lawyers provide professional services to guide you through the process and ease the burdens of an executor or administrator.

When starting or reviewing your New York estate plan, it’s important to consult with and retain experienced estate planning lawyers. The knowledgeable and compassionate team at Russo Law Group, P.C., provides professional estate planning and elder law services. Take advantage of our comprehensive website as well as our free seminars and webinars to learn more about how Russo Law Group, P.C. provides peace of mind. Please contact our law firm to speak with one of our experienced elder law and estate planning attorneys today at 1 (800) 680-1717.