The assignee or nominee under the policy can do this. So can any close relative or the agent who handles the policy.

The claim intimation should contain information like the date, place and cause of death. The insurance agent has the duty to help the life assured's family/ assignee to deal with the insurance company to fulfil the formalities for a claim.
The insurance company will respond to this intimation and will ask for the following documents:

• Filled-up claim form (provided by the insurance company)
• Certificate of death
• Policy document
• Deeds of assignments/ re-assignments if any
• Legal evidence of title, if the policy is not assigned or nominated
• Form of discharge executed and witnessed

Other documents such as medical attendant's certificate, hospital certificate, employer's certificate, police inquest report, post mortem report etc could be called for, as applicable.

Source: IRDA

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