Use this website to find loved one's life insurance policies after death

The state has a new way to help Ohioans track down life insurance policies or annuity contracts for deceased family members.

The Life Insurance Policy Locator is a free service operated by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

The Ohio Department of Insurance has offered a similar program for more than 10 years, but the transition to the new national search platform provides a more comprehensive search tool. The new service became available Jan. 1.

"Our goal is to make sure consumers of Ohio receive any benefits they're due," said Jana Jarrett, assistant director of consumer affairs for the department.

Previously, consumers who have contacted the state about a life insurance policy were sent forms to complete and return.

Now, consumers will complete and submit the work online.

Ohio was one of the first states to launch its service.

It came after several life insurance companies were accused of not doing enough to determine whether policyholders had died and to locate their beneficiaries.

Ohio has been able to connect thousands of people to benefits worth more than $11 million since it began the service, according to the department.

The service through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners allows beneficiaries, executors or legal representatives of a deceased person to connect with insurance companies in search of policies.

Insurers search their records after receiving a request. They will contact the individual who made the request only if there is a match.

Insurers participate in the program voluntarily.

Typically, any match is made within 90 business days.

The locator can be found at the department's website, www.insurance.ohio.gov, or at https://eapps.naic.org/life-policy-locator/#/welcome.

Anyone with questions about the service can call the department at 1-800-686-1526.

[email protected]

@BizMarkWilliams

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