Life Insurance Claim Process and Required Documents

Life is unpredictable, so we buy insurance to protect ourselves and our loved ones from the financial consequences of unexpected events. When the policyholder passes away, the beneficiaries of their life insurance policy can claim the death benefit, the sum of money the insurer pays out. However, filing a life insurance claim can be daunting, especially if you're grieving and unsure what to do. In this article, we'll guide you through the Life Insurance claim process and the required documents in India, so you can be prepared when the time comes.

There are three main types of life insurance claims: 

There are three main types of life insurance claims — maturity, death, and riders. Beneficiaries will receive life insurance payouts in the case of the policyholder's untimely demise. Here is a list of claims one can make under Life Insurance.

Here are the steps to file a death claim.

Step 1: Written claim intimation

The beneficiary must immediately inform the insurer of the claim. Insured's name, policy number, death site, date, claimant's name, etc. The beneficiary can obtain a claim notification form by contacting the insurance company directly, submitting an online request, or visiting any of the insurer's local offices. The beneficiary must provide the following details.

You can get a claim notification form from your insurance agent or advisor or visit your local insurance agency. You should also check your insurance company's website to see if the claim intimation form is available for download.

Step 2: Submit a claim form by filling it out

In the event of your untimely demise, your insurance provider would most likely ask for the following types of paperwork. 

Documents required for a policyholder's natural death include the following.

In the event of an accident

Death due to a medical condition

For a smooth claim settlement, be sure to submit all necessary paperwork. The nominee must submit documents such as a death certificate, proof of the insured's age, the original policy, etc. The insurance provider has 30 days from receiving the necessary documentation to issue a final decision on the policyholder's claim. 

There could be a situation, however, that necessitates more research on the part of the insurance provider. In this scenario, the time limit for the insurance company to resolve the claim is six months from the date it was notified of the claim in writing.

The insurance company will make a final payment to the policyholder on the policy's maturity date. Bonuses and incentives are added to the sum assured to determine the final payout amount.

The insurance firm notifies the policyholder by issuing a bank discharge form. Include the original policy document, a government-issued photo ID, a cancelled check, and a copy of your bank passbook when sending the form back to the insurer. 

Documents required

Insurance Riders can be added to a standard life insurance policy to increase coverage. A claim process depends on the rider in question. For example, medical history documentation, including a record of the first diagnosis, a report from a doctor, etc., is required for the Critical Illness Rider. A copy of the police report, a certificate of disability signed by the attending physician, medical information, etc., are all necessary for the accidental disability rider.

A rider is an ancillary benefit to a basic insurance policy for which the policyholder pays a higher premium. A life insurance policy can be supplemented with a wide range of riders, including those that cover critical sickness, accidents, hospitalisation costs, premium waivers, and more.

Settling a death claim also applies to claims related to riders, such as Accidental Death Benefit Rider, Premium Waivers, etc. Submitting the required documentation, such as a copy of the policy and a properly filled-out claim form, will help in a smooth claim settlement.

Giving your insurance company as much detail as possible can help them issue your policy and handle claims quickly. Submitting correct documents in time is extremely important.

. Some of the paperwork is necessary to finalise a claim, while other pieces of paper are situation-specific necessities. The following are some of the most important aspects of the required paperwork for a life insurance application or claim.

Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on industry experience and several secondary sources on the internet, and is subject to changes.