How to claim life insurance from multiple insurers

Nothing could be more unfortunate than losing your loved-ones. While it’s hard to assuage emotional loss, if the deceased had adequate insurance, financial loss could be managed to a great extent. However, documentation could be a challenge if you have to produce death certificates at different institutions. We received following query on Money9 Helpline:

My husband died last month due to Covid-19 and he had three life insurance policies from different companies. All of them are asking to provide original death certificate and discharge summary. The issue is that I have already submitted these documents to my husband’s employer to claim office insurance benefit. What are my options? How do I claim coverage from each insurer?

– Sarita Kashyap

We approached Shailesh Kumar, Insurance Head & Co-Founder, Insurance Samadhan, to address the query:

Expert view

First, please accept our condolences. This problem is faced by many beneficiaries where deceased had multiple insurance policies.

For the benefit of all, let us elaborate the importance of documentation for the insurance company as well as the beneficiary of insurance policies:

Insurance company – Each insurance company is independent of others and has to comply with all documentation for each policy. Though claim officers may empathise with you but still would insist for all desired documents. The insurance company is like a gatekeeper of the public funds deposited by all policyholders. The insurer has to ensure that no one takes undue advantage of the system of insurance. That is why they take extra care in due diligence. In case of normal death, they need documents as listed below:

Death certificate – beneficiaries can take at least 20 printouts from the Registrar office. Each copy is considered original. Many states are offering digital registration and printouts can be taken. Each insurer would need Death Certificate.

Hospital/doctor certificate – Each case needs to be supported with the cause of death through attending Hospital / Doctor report . Hospitals issue only one original document hence family must take at least 20 copies of Hospital / Doctor papers and get them certified by the hospital. If deceased had health insurance, then the original documents would be sent to Health Insurance Provider and the family will be left with no papers.

KYC papers of deceased and beneficiary – Please keep copies of KYC documents like Aadhaar / PAN / Passport of deceased and beneficiary both. Each Insurer would demand that.

Bank papers – Insurers need bank details of beneficiary so that the money can be transferred.

Insurance document – Each insurer needs insurance document as well. In case it is lost then indemnity needs to be signed as per the format available with the insurance company.

In case of unnatural death, the additional documentation needed is of FIR and post mortem report.

Beneficiary – Each beneficiary needs to understand that it is the duty of the insurer to pay insurance claim to the right person. This is the reason why they demand all these documents. Please prepare a file for all documents so that it is convenient for you. Do not get irritated with the staff at the insurance company because they will be doing their duty.

In your case, documents will be desired by all insurers. You should visit the employer of your husband to collect copies of the document submitted. The office would surely understand and would cooperate with you. Death certificate can be downloaded from the system if it has been digitised else you will have to visit the Registrar office for additional copies.