CHICAGO (AP) – Three insurers have sued IL Treasurer Michael Frerichs over an attempt to seek records on life insurance policies.

Frerichs said Monday an audit was sought to find unpaid death benefits because returning unclaimed property is part of his office’s mission. Frerichs says beneficiaries might be unaware such policies exist. The information received would be checked against a federal death database.

The lawsuit filed last week in Sangamon County argues the Treasurer doesn’t have such authority; benefits are paid if there is a claim and proof of death.

The insurers are Chicago-basked Kemper Cor. subsidiaries: United Insurance Company of America in Illinois, Reserve National Insurance Company in Oklahoma, and The Reliable Life Insurance Company of Missouri.

Kemper said in a statement Monday that it’s paid valid claims and followed state law for years.

 

 

 

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