1. Inform the Insurance Company

Contact the insurer as soon as possible on their toll-free number or inform them over email. It is always preferable to inform the insurer directly over a call to initiate the process.

2. Claim Intimation

The beneficiary or the claimant while lodging a claim with the insurance company needs to share all the important details like –

• The Policy Number
• Name of the policyholder
• Place of death
• Name of the insured
• Name of the claimant

If the life insurance policy has been purchased offline, then the insurer will provide a claim intimation form at the time of the policy purchase.

If it is an online insurance policy, it is simple to apply for the claim form online.

3. Claim Processing

In case of an accidental or natural death, the beneficiary or the nominees need to submit all the supporting documents to the insurance company as a part of the claim process.

The claim support team will evaluate the insurance documents and claim declaration, and will validate the same. In some cases, they might ask to the beneficiary submit a few other documents.

4. Documents to be submitted

• The original copy of the insurance policy
• The claim form and the death certificate of the deceased person
• If someone other than the assignee or the nominee makes the claim, the insurance company can ask for the legal title of succession.
• Deeds of assignment, if any
• Discharge form signed by witnesses
• Supplementary documents like post-mortem reports, hospital certificate and doctors certificate (if required)
• The investigation report in case of police inquiries

5. Approval and Pay-out

• Once all the documents have been submitted, and the insurance company has looked into the veracity of the claim thoroughly, the claim will be settled by the insurer.
• The life insurance company can ask for the beneficiary’s bank details – a canceled cheque or a copy of the bank account passbook, which has been attested by the bank authorities.
• For nominee's identity proof, a copy of passport, Voter identity card, PAN card, Aadhar card etc. need to be submitted.
• Generally, the claim settlement process takes 30 days. But once it is approved, the insurer immediately makes the payout.
• Some insurers make the payments through the Electronic Clearance Service or ECS, which is an alternative method to make bulk payments.

Aforementioned are the basic set of documents that are required to process a claim.

• Here are few other documents that the insurer can ask for (if need be) –
• Employer’s certificate
• Some other forms or reports to support the investigation or verification