Family › Claims after a death in the family
Life insurance claim after a death
What usually matters in this situation, and the papers to keep ready before you meet an advocate or free legal aid (call 15100).
Make my own list — free, 2 minutesYour situation
- What do you need to claim first? Life insurance
Papers to gather
- Death certificate (several attested copies)
Every claim needs it. Where: Municipality / panchayat registrar. - Your ID and KYC, and the deceased's ID
Required by all institutions. - List of accounts, policies, PF/UAN, folio and property details
Lets you claim everything; nothing is missed. Where: Passbooks, emails, tax returns, CAS statement. - Insurance policy document and claim form
Basis of the insurance claim. Where: Insurer.
You may also need, depending on your answers
- Nomination records — Simplifies the claim.
- Legal heir certificate or family tree / heirship affidavit — Needed where there is no nominee, and for pension and property.
- No-objection letters from the other heirs — Lets one person claim without a court.
- The will (original) and probate if required — Decides distribution where valid.
- Written complaint about the delay, then escalation (RBI / insurer / EPFO portal) — Deadlines are enforceable.
What the law says
RBI's 2025 directions require banks to settle deceased depositors' claims within 15 calendar days of receiving all documents, with compensation for delay. Since 1 November 2025, accounts can have up to four nominees. A nominee receives the money, but the legal heirs remain entitled to it under succession law. A succession certificate (civil court) is often needed for debts and securities when there is no nominee; a legal heir certificate is issued by the state revenue office.
General information, not legal advice.
Saboot will also ask
- Was there a nominee?
- Did they leave a will?
- Is anyone in the family disputing the claim?
Similar situations
- Bank won’t release a deceased parent’s money
- PF and pension after a family member’s death
- Transfer a deceased person’s vehicle
- Shares or mutual funds of a deceased parent
- No nominee was made — how do heirs claim?
- Nominee is refusing to share with other heirs
Sources
- RBI complaint portal — for delays in settling a deceased customer's account
- EPFO grievance portal
- Hindu Succession Act, 1956
The full guide: A family member died — bank, PF, insurance, pension and property claims · All situations