Life insurers pay $262 million after NY probe
Apr 23, 2012, 3:48 PM
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) – New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says life insurance companies have paid more than $262 million to more than 32,000 consumers nationwide after an investigation of unpaid benefits.
The state Department of Financial Services probe found many insurance companies regularly received a list of recent deaths from the Social Security Administration but didn’t use them to check whether family members had filed benefits claims. As a result of the investigation, New York demanded that companies check for unclaimed funds and contact beneficiaries.
Following that order in July, insurers reported they cross-checked about 90 million records and made payouts. Cuomo said Monday that a new regulation will require cross-checks in the future.
The state also launched a website where families can search for unpaid benefits on life insurance policies. It’s at NYPolicyFinder.com.
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