LIC claim documents: the complete checklist

Death claim: the core set

These are the documents LIC asks for in an ordinary death claim. "Ordinary" means death from illness, at home or in hospital, with a nomination registered and the policy in force.

• The claim form LIC prescribes, signed by the nominee in front of the branch or a designated officer
• The original death certificate issued by the municipal corporation or gram panchayat
• The original policy document. If it is lost, a duplicate application first — this alone can add weeks, so search for it before anything else
• The nominee’s identity proof, address proof and a recent photograph
• Bank account details with a cancelled cheque, for NEFT payment
• The medical attendant’s certificate and hospital records where the death followed an illness
• The employer’s certificate if the policy was part of a salary-savings or employer-employee scheme

What changes when the death was accidental

An accidental, unnatural or suicidal death requires the state’s record of the event, not just the medical record. Expect the branch to ask for all of the following in addition to the core set.

• First information report (FIR) or the police complaint
• Post-mortem report and the panchnama
• The final police investigation report, where one was filed
• The magistrate’s report or inquest findings, in cases where one was conducted
• Newspaper reports of the incident, if the branch asks for corroboration

What changes when there is no nominee

Nomination is what lets LIC pay quickly and close the file. Without it, or where the nominee died before the policyholder, LIC has to establish who is legally entitled, and that is a court or revenue process rather than an insurance one.

• A succession certificate from a civil court, where the policy is not covered by a will
• A probate of the will, where one exists
• A legal heir certificate from the revenue authority, where the branch accepts it
• A guardianship certificate plus the minor’s proof of age, where the nominee is a minor
• A family arrangement deed or no-objection certificates from other heirs, where the branch agrees to that route

Maturity claim and survival benefit

A maturity or money-back payout is simpler, but families still lose weeks by turning up without the discharge form or with a bank account whose name does not match the policy.

• The original policy document
• The discharge form or maturity claim form, signed by the policyholder
• Identity proof and PAN
• Bank details with a cancelled cheque, in the policyholder’s own name
• NACH or ECS mandate details where the payout is by electronic credit
• Form 15G or 15H, where the policyholder is eligible and wants to avoid deduction at source

Timelines, and what to do when it stalls

IRDAI’s protection of policyholders’ interests regulations require an insurer to settle a claim within 30 days of receiving the last document it needs, and to give written reasons if it needs more time. Where settlement is delayed beyond the stipulated period, interest can become payable.

In practice, a complete file on a policy older than three years is usually decided quickly. A claim within three years of issue or revival is treated as an early claim and is investigated more carefully — that is normal, not an accusation, and the branch will list any extra documents it wants.

If the claim is rejected or sits unanswered, the escalation route is: the branch manager in writing, then LIC’s grievance redressal officer, then IRDAI’s Bima Bharosa portal. Keep every acknowledgement slip — a dated receipt for your documents is the single most useful piece of paper in a delayed claim.

Fees, and the people who will offer to "handle" it

Claim forms are free. There is no legitimate charge for submitting a claim, for a nomination change, or for a policy status letter. LIC may charge a small receipted fee for a duplicate policy document, and nothing else.

Be careful with anyone who asks for a percentage of the claim, offers to "arrange" a death certificate, or wants the original policy document without a receipt. A genuine advisor helps you assemble the file and goes with you to the branch; they do not take custody of the originals or a cut of the payout.

Frequently asked questions