Life insurance proceeds usually pass to a named beneficiary, thus bypassing probate. Property passes a few different ways, such as by deed, title, will (probate), and beneficiary.
Since life insurance passes directly to the beneficiary, it is a private transaction and not subject to public records scrutiny.
This is a good reason to make sure your beneficiary designation includes a contingent beneficiary, so that the proceeds don't default to your estate, thus actually becoming a part of the probate process.
Life insurance does not usually go through probate. If it is left to a person, charity, or group, it bypasses probate. However, if the beneficiary is the estate, or if all the beneficiaries are deceased, the proceeds of the policy will go to the estate, and thus, go through probate.
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Since life insurance passes directly to the beneficiary, it is a private transaction and not subject to public records scrutiny.
This is a good reason to make sure your beneficiary designation includes a contingent beneficiary, so that the proceeds don't default to your estate, thus actually becoming a part of the probate process.