Investigation: Ohio not tracking insurance death benefits

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — An investigation has found the state hasn’t tracked insurance companies’ payments of death benefits to Ohio residents to see if they are getting what they are owed since a national probe revealed large insurers were holding onto billions of dollars meant for beneficiaries.

The Dayton Daily News reports insurers have made settlements Ohio and other states and paid billions to beneficiaries across the country since the national probe started by Florida’s insurance office in 2009.

The newspaper says its subsequent investigation found Ohio has collected $7.1 million in settlements from insurance companies since the national probe was launched, but has made no effort to identify how much insurers have paid directly to Ohioans.

An Ohio Department of Insurance spokesman says department files indicate no notices to beneficiaries.