On the day a family loses someone, paperwork is the last burden anyone wants to carry. This article is written in advance, for the day that may come, so that those left behind can make a death claim without confusion.

Step 1: notify the insurer promptly

When the life assured dies, the beneficiary should notify the insurer as soon as possible — through the agent, the hotline, or a branch. Notifying early lets the insurer advise on the documents that apply to the particular case and begin the process straight away. Policies generally set a time frame for notification, so do not let it pass.

Step 2: prepare the main documents

The documents usually required are:

  • The insurer's death claim form
  • The original death certificate, or a certified copy
  • A copy of the deceased's house registration (stamped as deceased) and identity card
  • The policy document (if it cannot be found, tell the insurer — this is not an obstacle to the claim)
  • Identification for every beneficiary
  • In cases of unnatural death or accident, the police daily record and the autopsy report are usually required as well

The actual list varies by case. Ask the insurer for the list that fits your situation most closely.

Step 3: the insurer's assessment

The insurer checks the validity of the contract and the cause of death against the policy conditions. In ordinary cases with complete documents, the assessment is usually quick, and the law sets a time frame for payment once the full documents have been received [check the latest information]. Where death occurs in the early years of the contract, the insurer may examine the case more closely under the rights the law gives it. That is a normal process and does not mean the claim will not be paid.

What beneficiaries should know

The death benefit is paid directly to the named beneficiary and generally does not pass through the estate administration process. If there is an outstanding policy loan, the insurer deducts it before paying the balance. Where a beneficiary is a minor, there are additional steps involving a legal guardian.

What you can prepare today

What the life assured can do in advance for those they leave behind is to tell someone close what policies exist, where they are kept, who the agent is, and to check that the named beneficiaries are current. Those five minutes of information remove an enormous burden from the family on the hardest day.

In short

A death claim follows a clear process: notify early, gather the documents, and the process carries on from there. If the family needs help along the way, the agent looking after the policy has a duty to assist until the process is complete. Do not hesitate to ask for help.