How to claim amount from LIC if you don’t know who is claimant?

Many LIC policyholders or their family members are unaware that an insurance policy may have an unclaimed amount lying with the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). This can happen when a maturity benefit, survival benefit, death claim, or premium refund is not collected by the rightful beneficiary.

If you don’t know who the claimant is or whether a nominee has been registered, don’t worry. This guide explains the entire process step by step.

What Is an Unclaimed Amount in an LIC Policy?

An unclaimed amount is money that LIC has already made payable but has not been collected by the eligible person. This may include:

• Maturity claim proceeds

• Death claim amount

• Survival benefits

• Money-back policy installments

• Premium refunds

• Policy surrender value

• Other policy-related payments

These amounts remain with LIC until they are claimed by the rightful person.

Step 1: Check Whether the Policy Has an Unclaimed Amount

The first step is to verify whether any amount is pending against the policy.

You can do this by visiting LIC’s official Unclaimed Amount Search facility and entering the available policy details.

You may be required to provide:

• LIC Policy Number

• Policyholder’s Name

• Date of Birth

• PAN Number (if available)

If you do not have the policy number, you should contact the servicing LIC branch with the policyholder’s personal details.

Step 2: Identify Who Is Eligible to Claim the Amount

The eligible claimant depends on the status of the policy.

Case 1: The Policyholder Is Alive

If the policy has matured and the policyholder is alive, the policyholder is generally the rightful claimant.

They can submit the required documents and receive the payment directly.

Case 2: The Policyholder Has Passed Away

If the insured person has died, the claim can normally be made by:

• The registered nominee

• The legal heir (if no nominee exists)

• The assignee (if the policy was legally assigned to another person or institution)

LIC verifies its records before releasing any payment.

Step 3: Find Out Whether a Nominee Exists

Many families do not know whether a nominee was registered.

In such situations:

• Visit the servicing LIC branch.

• Provide the policyholder’s details.

• Carry proof of identity and relationship.

• Submit the death certificate if the policyholder is deceased.

LIC officials will verify their records and guide the eligible claimant.

For privacy reasons, LIC does not disclose nominee details to unrelated individuals.

Step 4: Gather the Required Documents

The documents required may vary depending on the type of claim.

Generally, you should keep the following ready:

Identity Proof

• Aadhaar Card

• PAN Card

• Passport

• Voter ID

Address Proof

• Aadhaar Card

• Utility Bill

• Passport

• Driving Licence

Policy Documents

• Original Policy Bond (if available)

• Policy Number

• Premium Receipt (if available)

Bank Details

• Cancelled Cheque

• Passbook Copy

• Bank Account Details

• IFSC Code

Death Claim Documents

If the policyholder has died, LIC may require:

• Original Death Certificate

• Claim Form

• Medical Records (if applicable)

• Hospital Documents (where applicable)

Step 5: If There Is No Nominee

Sometimes the policyholder may not have appointed a nominee.

In that case, the legal heirs may have to submit additional documents such as:

• Legal Heir Certificate

• Succession Certificate (if required)

• Probate of Will (where applicable)

• Family Tree Certificate (in some cases)

• Indemnity Bond (if requested by LIC)

LIC will examine the documents before deciding who is legally entitled to receive the claim amount.

Step 6: Visit the Servicing LIC Branch

Once the documents are ready:

1. Visit the servicing LIC branch.

2. Submit the claim application.

3. Attach all supporting documents.

4. Obtain an acknowledgement receipt.

5. Keep copies of every document submitted.

If any document is missing, LIC will inform you accordingly.

Step 7: Verification by LIC

After receiving your application, LIC verifies:

• Policy status

• Nominee details

• Identity of the claimant

• Authenticity of documents

• Legal entitlement

If everything is found satisfactory, the claim is processed for payment.

Step 8: Receive the Claim Amount

After successful verification, LIC transfers the amount directly to the claimant’s registered bank account through electronic payment.

The processing time depends on the completeness of the documents and the nature of the claim.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I claim an LIC amount without knowing the nominee?

Yes. If you are a legal heir or an eligible family member, LIC will verify its records and guide you through the claim process.

Can LIC tell me who the nominee is?

LIC generally shares nominee-related information only with eligible persons after proper identity and relationship verification.

What if the original policy bond is lost?

You should immediately inform LIC. The branch will explain the procedure for obtaining a duplicate policy bond or processing the claim based on available records.

Is the policy number mandatory?

Having the policy number makes the process easier. However, LIC may also trace the policy using the policyholder’s personal details, subject to verification.

What happens if there is no nominee?

The legal heirs can still claim the amount by submitting the required legal documents and completing LIC’s verification process.

Tips for Faster Claim Settlement

• Keep all LIC policy documents safely.

• Ensure that nominee details are updated whenever necessary.

• Inform family members about the existence of insurance policies.

• Update your mobile number, email address, and bank details with LIC.

• Submit clear and complete documents to avoid delays.

• Always retain copies of every document submitted.

Conclusion

Claiming an unclaimed LIC policy amount is a straightforward process when you follow the correct steps. Even if you do not know who the claimant or nominee is, LIC has a structured verification process to identify the rightful beneficiary.

By collecting the necessary documents, approaching the servicing branch, and completing the verification process, eligible claimants can receive the benefits without unnecessary complications.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or financial advice. LIC may revise its procedures, documentation requirements, or claim settlement guidelines from time to time. Always verify the latest requirements with the nearest LIC branch or through LIC’s official website before submitting a claim.