How to Claim Life Insurance After Death in India as an NRI

If the person who died held a life insurance policy in India — LIC, HDFC Life, ICICI Prudential, SBI Life, or any IRDAI-regulated insurer — the nominee or legal heir can claim the death benefit from abroad. The IRDAI Master Circular requires straightforward claims to be settled within 15 days of receiving the death certificate and nominee KYC documents.

The process is more forgiving than banking claims because insurers have dedicated death claim departments. But documentation must be precise, and a foreign death certificate adds one extra step.

Nominee Claims: The Direct Route

If the policyholder registered a nominee on the policy, the nominee files the claim directly with the insurer. No succession certificate or court order is needed.

Documents required:

• Original policy document (or a lost-policy affidavit if the physical document cannot be found)
• Death certificate — apostilled if issued abroad (FCDO paper apostille for UK-issued certificates)
• Claimant's Statement Form (the insurer's specific form, downloadable from their website)
• Nominee's ID proof (passport, Aadhaar, PAN)
• Nominee's cancelled cheque or bank account details for the payout
• FIR or police report if the death was accidental or unnatural

For deaths abroad, insurers also require a post-mortem or coroner's report if one was conducted. If the UK coroner opened an inquest, ask the insurer whether it will accept the interim Fact of Death certificate while the final report is pending.

Legal Heir Claims: When There Is No Nominee

Without a registered nominee, the claim becomes a legal heir claim. The claimant must establish legal entitlement and may need:

• A Legal Heir Certificate from a Tehsildar or Revenue Authority, OR
• A Succession Certificate from an Indian District Court

Confirm with the insurer whether the Legal Heir Certificate is sufficient or a court-issued Succession Certificate is required for the particular claim.

The IRDAI Timeline

The IRDAI Master Circular on Protection of Policyholders sets clear deadlines:

• Straightforward claims (natural death, clean documentation): settled within 15 days of receiving the death certificate and nominee KYC documents
• Claims requiring investigation: follow a separate investigation process; ask the insurer for its applicable written timeline when filing

If the insurer does not meet the applicable timeline, the claimant can escalate to the IRDAI Grievance Redressal Cell (IGMS portal at igms.irda.gov.in) or the Insurance Ombudsman.

Filing From the UK

Most Indian insurers accept claims filed by post or through their online portals. The practical process for a UK-based claimant:

1. Download the Claimant's Statement Form from the insurer's website
2. Fill it out and sign it (some insurers accept e-signatures; others require a wet-ink signature attested by a notary)
3. Gather the apostilled death certificate, nominee/heir ID, and any supporting documents
4. Send the complete package by tracked international courier to the insurer's claims department

Some insurers — particularly LIC — still prefer physical originals. If the policy was a large one, consider appointing an agent in India through a new Power of Attorney to handle the in-person follow-up.

The payout is deposited into the nominee's or legal heir's Indian bank account. Before moving the payout abroad, ask the insurer and your bank about the applicable FEMA, exchange-control, and tax requirements.

The Indian Dies in the UK guide covers insurance claims alongside the bank, EPFO, and property claim workflows, sequenced in the order they should be filed.