The following information was provided by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners:

Untold numbers of pre-World War II insurance policies held by Jewish families have gone unpaid or unclaimed. Documentation has often been lacking, and there never has been a central agency dedicated to helping beneficiaries.

To fulfill that need, in late 1998, the United States National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) in conjunction with several European insurance companies, representatives of Jewish organizations and the State of Israel, established the International Commission on Holocaust Era Insurance Claims (ICHEIC). Subsequently, several European regulators, as well as representatives of some governments, joined the ICHEIC as observers. The Commission, chaired by former U.S. Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger, is charged with establishing a just process that will expeditiously address the issue of unpaid insurance policies issued to victims of the Holocaust. The insurance companies participating in that process have agreed to resolve the outstanding claims, which have been submitted within a two-year period.

Under the claims resolution process due to begin soon, there will be one place where interested parties can seek out information about unpaid life, education and dowry policies issued by companies participating in the ICHEIC. The Commission will investigate all claims and, if payment is due from a participating company, see that it is made. The service is provided without charge to claimants.

For this process to be successful, it is essential that Holocaust survivors and heirs try to recall whether their families may have been insured. If they have any questions, they should call the international commission at the number listed below.

To contact the International Commission on Holocaust Era Insurance Claims (ICHEIC):

April 2000 update: The ICHEIC website (find link below) now contains lists of names of pre-World War II policyholders, provided by European insurers. A last name is required to make a search. First name, last known residence and where the policy was issued are also search parameters. The lists of policyholders are not necessarily complete.

Wisconsin's Office of the Commissioner of Insurance has established a link to the ICHEIC to facilitate the claims process for Wisconsin residents. The ICHEIC's website contains a claim form and information on how to file a claim, as well as important contact and background information. The OCI is a member of the NAIC's taskforce on the Holocaust claims.

OCI News Release: WWII Holocaust Era Insurance Claims Can Now Be Filed & Settled, February 14, 2002

OCI News Release: Time Extended to File Holocaust Insurance Claims, February 22, 2002