Check a company or agent yourself
The short version
Before you buy, confirm three things using free official tools: the company is licensed in your state, its financial-strength rating is solid, and the agent holds a real license. Every link below goes to a government or industry source, not to us and not to a sales page. We collect nothing when you use them.
1. Is the company licensed in your state?
An insurer must be licensed (called "admitted") in your state for your policy to be backed by that state's guaranty association, the safety net if the company fails. Two official ways to check:
| Tool | Who runs it | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| NAIC Company Search | National Association of Insurance Commissioners | Confirms a company's official name and gives a complaint record. Names can look alike, so match the exact company on your paperwork. |
| Your state insurance department | Your state's Department of Insurance | The authority that licenses companies and agents in your state. Its site confirms licensing and handles complaints. |
2. How financially strong is the company?
Financial-strength rating is a letter grade from an independent agency that estimates how able a company is to pay claims for decades. AM Best is the oldest and most widely used in insurance.
| Tool | Who runs it | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| AM Best rating search | AM Best (independent rating agency) | The current financial-strength rating for a specific company. It's free, but AM Best asks you to set up a free account to view the full rating. |
Ratings use different scales, so an "A" from one agency isn't the same as an "A" from another. Read each rating on its own scale, and check the date, ratings change.
3. Is the agent licensed?
Anyone who sells you a policy should hold a life insurance producer license in your state. The surest check is your state insurance department, which lists licensed producers. You can also ask the agent for their National Producer Number and confirm it there.
Look up an agent at your state department →
4. Looking for a policy someone left behind?
If you think a relative had life insurance but you can't find the paperwork, a free official service asks participating companies to search their records.
Use the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator →
Sources
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners — Company Search, Policy Locator, state department directory, and consumer glossary (naic.org).
- AM Best — Best's Credit Rating Center (ratings.ambest.com).
Last updated: July 23, 2026