Forgotten LIC policy? Step-by-step guide to find and claim unclaimed amounts

According to IRDAI, an unclaimed insurance amount is the money that an insurance company owes to a consumer. This includes any interest that has accrued, but hasn’t been paid because they can’t reach the person. This amount remains unpaid for more than 12 months from when it was supposed to be paid.

Any amount that remains unclaimed for over 10 years is transferred by the insurer to the Senior Citizens’ Welfare Fund (SCWF) maintained by the Government of India. As the name suggests, such funds are used for the benefit of senior citizens.

The following details are needed to check if you have any unclaimed amount in your LIC policy:
LIC policy number
Policy-holder’s name
Date of birth
PAN card

Policyholders/beneficiaries can contact the nearest branch of the concerned insurer or online (through the portal/email) with the details/documents.

According to Varun Agarwal, Business Head, Term Insurance, Policybazaar.com, the following documents would be required:
Surrender form - available in all branches
Request letter - available in all branches
Kyc documents
Neft details - cancelled cheque majorly
Original policy bond
All these documents are to be mailed/submitted at home branch

In case the nominee mentioned in the policy document is not alive, the legal heirs can contact the insurer and submit the required documents as stated in the policy documents for claim settlement.