Term Insurance after Death

TeamAckoJul 14, 2024

Term Insurance is a type of life insurance plan that offers a death benefit to the policyholder’s beneficiaries in case the policyholder passes away during the policy duration. For this coverage, the policyholder has to make a payment of a fixed amount known as the premium amount on a timely basis. In case of a policyholder's demise, the family members will have to raise a claim to avail the sum assured. This article will tell you all about how to claim Term Insurance

Contents

• Stepwise process explaining how to claim Term Insurance after policyholder’s death
• What happens if the policyholder survives the term?
• What are the types of deaths covered by Term Insurance plans?
• What are the documents required to file a claim after a policyholder's death?
• What are the reasons for the insurance claims to get rejected?
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Stepwise process explaining how to claim Term Insurance after policyholder’s death

Here’s a list of steps that are needed to be followed by the beneficiary to claim the death benefits after the death of the policyholder. Note that this is an overview, exact steps and the process will depend upon the insurer.

Step 1: Notifying the insurer 

• This is the first step that the beneficiaries have to do in order to claim a death benefit. 

• The beneficiary can use the customer service number, or visit the branch or email to the respective insurance provider to inform the demise of the policyholder. 

• The beneficiary will be requested to disclose the name, latest address, date of birth and reason for the death of the policyholder. The name, contact details, and how the beneficiary is related to the policyholder has to be also cleared out. 

• Not just that, the beneficiary is also expected to know the policy number (which will be found in the policy documents) and other relevant documents needed to file a claim. In some cases, the insurance provider may ask for an original death certificate to validate the death.

• Notification regarding the death of the policyholder, has to be made within the time limit set by the insurance company. However, this limit may differ from company to company. The time limit followed by most of the insurance companies is usually 30 days from the date of death of the policyholder. 

Step 2: Fill out and submit the death claim form

• The death claim form has to be duly filled in all aspects, with regard to name, age, reason for death of the policyholder and other relevant information as required by the insurance company. 

• Keeping all the necessary documents in hand, will ease the process of filing the death claim form. 

• If there are no beneficiaries assigned, then the claimant has to provide a proof to state that they are legally entitled to receive the claim.

• Once all the necessary details are filled in, it is time to submit the form. The beneficiaries can submit the form, either by heading to the home branch where the policy was issued or through online mode, if available.

Step 3: Submit all the relevant documents

• All the required documents requested by the insurance provider must be submitted to continue the claim process. 

• The documents needed will depend on the kind of death undergone. 

• These documents typically include the original or a certified copy of the death certificate, the policy document, any medical records related to the cause of death, and proof of identity and relationship of the beneficiary to the deceased. 

• It's essential to gather these documents as promptly as possible to avoid delays in the claim process. If the death was due to an accident, additional documents, such as a police report or an autopsy report, might be required. 

• Each document helps substantiate the claim, ensuring the insurance provider has all the facts needed to evaluate the claim. Careful attention to completing this step thoroughly can significantly smooth the subsequent processing and evaluation stages.

Step 4: Evaluation of the claim by the insurance company

• Once the insurance company receives all the documents needed, they will start with the process of evaluating and analysing the documents. 

• The insurance company will verify all the documents submitted, which might include medical reports, police records and other necessary documents. 

• The evaluation process of each kind of death will be different. For example, detailed investigation time may be required if the policyholder has died within 3 years of buying the policy.

• It is at this stage when the insurance company will decide if the claim had to be settled or rejected. If the claim is accepted, the insurance company will payout the death benefit. If not, the reason for the rejection will be stated.

Step 5: Settlement of the death Claim

• After the claim has been accepted, the insurance company will settle the claim amount to the beneficiary either in lump sum or in instalments, with regard to terms and conditions. 

• This claim amount will then be deposited to the bank account of the beneficiary directly.

• Beneficiaries must understand the tax implications of receiving a death benefit, which can vary depending on local laws. Beneficiaries should also be prepared for any potential financial planning required once the funds are received. 

• This might include consulting with financial advisors to ensure the money is managed wisely, potentially setting up trusts or investments, and considering how the funds can best contribute to the beneficiary's long-term financial stability and goals.

What happens if the policyholder survives the term?

If the policyholder outlives the term, no payouts will be made (unless there’s a Return of Premium add-on as a part of the coverage) and the policyholder will have to renounce the coverage. This is because standard term life insurance is designed primarily to provide financial security to the policyholder's beneficiaries in the event of the policyholder's untimely death during the policy term. Therefore, if the policyholder is still alive when the policy expires, the insurance coverage ends, and no payout is issued.

However, some term life insurance policies have an optional feature, the Return of Premium (ROP). This add-on benefits those seeking a safety net if they outlive their policy. With an ROP feature, all or a part of the premiums paid during the term are returned to the policyholder if they survive the policy period. It's important to note that policies with ROP typically cost more than those without this option due to the potential for the insurance company to return the premiums.

Once the policy term ends and if the policyholder does not have the ROP feature, they must decide whether to purchase another policy to continue life insurance coverage or forego it. This decision often depends on the individual's life circumstances at that time, such as financial responsibilities, dependents, and overall health.

What are the types of deaths covered by Term Insurance plans?

Not all kinds of death are allowed to be claimed under the Term Insurance plan. Here’s a generic list of deaths which will and which will not be covered in Term Insurance plans, exact list will depend upon the exact policy’s terms and conditions.
Deaths covered under Term Insurance plans

• Natural death/medical condition

• Accidental Death 

• Deaths due to pre-existing diseases (declared at the time of buying the policy)

• Deaths due to critical illness

• Health-related death

• Deaths due to COVID-19

• Death by suicide

Deaths not covered under Term Insurance plans

• Death due to indulging in illegal activity

• Deaths due to pre-existing diseases (not declared at the time of buying the policy)

• Death due to driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs

• Self-inflicted injuries

• Death due to suicide

• Death due to indulging in hazardous activities

• Death due to taking part in adventurous sports (if not informed while purchasing the policy or don't have a respective add-on)

• Death due to childbirth or complications in pregnancy

• Death due to sexually transmitted diseases (like HIV)

• Death due to intoxication

• Natural disaster

What are the documents required to file a claim after a policyholder's death?

These are the set of documents that are to be submitted by the beneficiaries in order to claim for the benefits of the Term insurance, disregarding the type of death met.

• Original policy documents

• Correctly filled claim form

• Original death certificate, either signed by the medical practitioner or issued by the government civil authority

• Statement from the beneficiary, with regards to details about themselves and the policyholder.

• Identity proof of the beneficiary (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, PAN Card, Passport, etc.)

• Age proof of the policyholder

• Cancelled cheque and NEFT mandate 

Not just these, there might be additional documents required as per the cause of death.

Case 1: If the policyholder had died due to medical illness

In this case, the insurance company would require documentation substantiating the medical cause and history. This typically includes:

• Doctor’s Statement: This is a formal document from the physician who last treated the policyholder. It outlines the medical condition that led to the death, including critical details about the diagnosis, treatment timeline, and the ultimate cause of death.

• Proof of Treatment: Hospital records or treatment notes provide evidence of the medical care the policyholder received. These documents should include details about the admission to the hospital, medical tests conducted, treatments administered, and the duration of the treatment.

Case 2: If the policyholder had died due to accident or unnatural death (murder, etc.)

In cases of death resulting from an accident or unnatural causes, the documentation required is more extensive, often involving legal and police reports:

• Registered Copy of the FIR (First Information Report): This is a crucial document filed with the police detailing the circumstances of the accident or incident leading to death. The FIR initiates legal proceedings and is a primary document used to establish the facts of an accident or crime.

• Post-mortem Report: Also known as an autopsy report, this document is prepared by a forensic pathologist. It provides a thorough analysis of the cause of death, showing whether it was due to external injuries, trauma, or other factors typically associated with unnatural deaths.

• Police Investigation Report: This report compiles the findings of the police investigation into the death. It includes witness statements, circumstances of the incident, and conclusions from the police on how the death occurred.

What are the reasons for the insurance claims to get rejected?

When filing an insurance claim, policyholders and beneficiaries must understand the common pitfalls that might lead to a claim being rejected. Here are the various reasons why an insurance claim might not be approved:

• Contradicting information

• Falsifying Information

• Delay in premium payment

• No mention of the nominee

• Undisclosed medical records

• Undisclosed previous/existing insurance policies

• Lapsed Policy

• Contradicting Information: This occurs when the information provided in the claim form conflicts with the details initially provided when the policy was taken out or with documentation submitted at other times. For example, if the cause of death in a claim contradicts medical records or an autopsy report, the insurer might reject the claim due to inconsistencies.

• Falsifying Information: Providing false information to an insurance company is a severe offence and can lead to the rejection of a claim. This might include lying about the policyholder's health status, the circumstances of death, or any other pertinent details that would affect the insurer's decision to cover the risk or pay the claim.

• Delay in Premium Payment: Insurance policies stipulate that premiums must be paid regularly to keep the insurance active. If there are missed payments and the policyholder still needs to arrange for a grace period or reinstatement of the policy, any claim filed under such a lapsed policy is likely to be rejected.

• No Mention of Nominee: If the policy does not have a nominated beneficiary or the nominee's details need to be updated or mentioned, it can complicate the claims process. This oversight might delay or even result in the rejection of the claim, as the insurer may need to verify who is legally entitled to receive the claim amount.

• Undisclosed Medical Records: If a policyholder fails to disclose significant medical conditions or previous health issues when purchasing the insurance, the company may view it as non-disclosure or misrepresentation. This is particularly critical if the undisclosed condition is related to the cause of death, leading to potential claim rejection.

• Undisclosed Previous/Existing Insurance Policies: Not disclosing other existing insurance policies can be seen as an attempt to over-insure, which can be a red flag for fraud. Insurers often require information about other policies to assess the policyholder's total coverage and evaluate the risk accurately.

• Lapsed Policy: A policy lapses when the premiums are not paid within the specified time, leading to the termination of the policy's benefits. A claim made under a lapsed policy will only be entertained if the policy is reinstated, which usually requires paying all overdue premiums and undergoing any additional underwriting procedures required by the insurer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here’s a list of FAQs associated with how to claim Term Insurance after a policyholder's death.

Are there tax benefits for the premium amount paid by the policyholder for a Term Insurance Plan?

Yes, the policyholder can avail tax exemption up to one and a half lakh rupees as per applicable terms and conditions. 

Can I get money back if I survive the term in Term Insurance plan?

If you have opted for a Return Of premium rider, then you will be qualified to get back the premiums paid.

Will I be able to take a loan on the Term Insurance Plan I opted for?

No, since such plans do not offer a cash value component at the time of maturity.

Can the nominee be changed after the policy has started? 

Yes, you can change the nominee of your term insurance policy at any time during the policy term. To do this, you must fill out a nominee change form and submit it to your insurance company. Keep a copy of the updated nomination form for your records.

Is there a waiting period for term insurance policies? 

Yes, most term insurance policies have a waiting period, typically lasting from a few months to a couple of years from the start of the policy. During this time, certain causes of death (like suicide or certain natural causes) may not be covered. Always check your policy details for the specific waiting period terms.

Can I increase the sum assured during the policy term? 

Some insurance policies offer the flexibility to increase the sum assured, typically after significant life events such as marriage or the birth of a child. However, this feature varies by insurer and policy, and additional underwriting might be required. You can check out the ACKO Life Flexi Term Plan, a unique plan offering flexible coverage per your changing lifestyle! 

Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on industry experience and several secondary sources on the internet, and is subject to changes.

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