When a person with a life insurance policy dies, the insurer should be told as early as possible, according to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) on its policyholder information portal. This first step is called a claim intimation. It starts the death claim process.
What it is
A death claim is a request to the insurer to pay the policy benefit after the death of the life assured, the person whose life the policy covers. The request is made by the people entitled to the money under the policy, usually the nominee. A nominee is the person named by the policyholder to receive the benefit.
How it works
Step 1: Send the claim intimation
IRDAI says the intimation can be sent by the assignee or nominee under the policy. A close relative or the agent who handles the policy can also do it. An assignee is a person or entity to whom the policy rights were transferred, such as a housing loan company.
The intimation should carry basic details: the date, place and cause of death. IRDAI adds that the agent has a duty to help the family or assignee deal with the insurer and complete the formalities.
Step 2: Collect the documents the insurer asks for
The insurer responds to the intimation and asks for documents. IRDAI lists these:
- A filled-up claim form, provided by the insurance company
- A certificate of death
- The policy document
- Deeds of assignment or re-assignment, if any
- Legal evidence of title, if the policy is neither assigned nor nominated
- A form of discharge, executed and witnessed
The discharge form works like a receipt confirming the claimant has received the payment due.
What it means for you
If you are a nominee or a relative, the practical points from IRDAI’s guidance are simple. Inform the insurer early, include the date, place and cause of death, and keep the policy document and death certificate ready.
If the policy was assigned, for example to a lender, the deeds of assignment are part of the paperwork. For a maturity claim, IRDAI notes that where a policy is assigned, the amount is paid only to the assignee, who gives the discharge. The same page does not say this for death claims, so check with the insurer how an assigned policy is handled.
If nobody was named as nominee and the policy was not assigned, the insurer asks for legal evidence of title, meaning proof that you have the right to receive the money. The sources do not specify what that proof must be, so ask the insurer which documents it accepts.
This is another reason to keep nominee details current. Policyholders can read more in our guide on what a nominee is, and tell family members where the policy papers are kept.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Delaying the intimation, when IRDAI says it should go as early as possible.
- Leaving out the date, place or cause of death in the intimation.
- Not having the original policy document and any assignment deeds ready.
- Forgetting that the discharge form must be witnessed.
Do not rely on this list alone. Each insurer provides its own claim form, so ask it for the current checklist.
Maturity claims are different
A maturity claim arises when a policy reaches its end date while the policyholder is alive. IRDAI says the insurer usually sends intimation with a discharge voucher at least two to three months before maturity, stating the amount payable. The policyholder signs it, gets the signature witnessed and returns it with the original policy bond.
