Covid 19 Death In Family: 4 Probable Insurance Covers You Can Claim Against

In a once in a generation pandemic event for which we weren't prepared we have seen untimely death of our near and dear ones. And while the personal loss cannot be made up for, if these people happened to be covered under some or the other scheme, nominee or the heir can benefit. Here we try to dig on all such covers which can be claimed by the legal heir or nominee, whatever may be the case:

1. EPF related EDLI claim:

For an employed individual (if you are EPF subscriber), in view of the pandemic, the government has enhanced maximum coverage under EDLI or Employees' Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme to Rs. 7 lakh. This is the maximum sum assured payable. And beyond February 14, 2020, a minimum sum assured of Rs. 2.5 lakh shall be payable to the nominee. Remember the upward hike in maximum sum assurance payable of Rs. 7 lakh shall become applicable prospectively from the date of such notification i.e. from April 29, 2021.

Notably, in respect of the minimum cover, the notification was released in February 2018 and had a validity of 2 years, so to reinstate that a fresh order has been notified.

Who can make this EDLI claim?

In respect of the deceased family members who were in service in various organizations during the 12 months prior to the month in which they met unfortunate death, nominee can claim the benefit by filing form Form V IF.

For more details on making the EDLI claim Read here.

2. Claim against term insurance and other life insurance policies:

If the deceased was insured by some health or term plan or any other insurance plan for that matter, you can make a claim by submitting some of the required documents.

Documents required to make life insurance claim in India:

1. Death certificate
2. Policy document
3. Submitted claim form
4. In case the policy is not nominated then legal evidence for the title
5. Form of discharge executed and witnessed

There could be other documents that can also be asked such as hospital certificate, employer's certificate, police inquest report and medical attendant certificate.

3. Claiming health insurance:

This can be a employee group health insurance cover or an individual cover. But in respect of health insurance, your proactive efforts will be counted upon. Say, if your any close relative happens to be diagnosed with Covid 19 and you know he or she is covered under the Employer group health insurance scheme, you can before starting off with the treatment may admit the concerned in the network group of hospital and tell the insurer of him or her undergoing the said treatment. Then if all things are in place, the insurer and the hospital will likely take care of the issue and necessary financial assistance will be rendered.

Documents required to claim health insurance in India

• Employee Id and company details shall be sought for by the insurer
• Person making the claim will be asked of his or her relation with the concerned
• Filled claim form
• Medical documents such as test, diagnostic reports, emergency reports etc.
• Doctor's prescriptions'
• Discharge summary
• Complete item-wise bill upon discharge

4. Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY):

This scheme was launched in May 2015 and if you have also met with the loss of someone in family due to Covid 19 or due to some other exigency, you as a nominee or legal heir can make a claim of Rs. 2 lakh under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana. This insurance scheme was for all bank account holders in the age bracket of 18-50 years.

Details about the scheme:

For this your near and dear one who has confronted death must have paid for this policy in the year 2020-21. This is as the scheme is one-year renewable scheme and becomes due every year in June for premium repayment. The premium payable for this policy is Rs. 330 per year. This claim is also available in case of murder or suicide.

How to file for claim against Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana for Rs. 2 lakh?

As the insured is generally the bank account holder i.e. the purchase of the PMJJBY policy is done from the insured's bank account, the claim is also made through the bank route. It is to be noted that claim can be made 45 days post the enrolment in the policy. Say if a death happens before 45 days of enrolling the scheme then the claim shall not be available to the nominee. But this condition is waived in case of accidental death claim.

Now for claiming the proceeds, the heir or the nominee need to inform the bank of the casuaty and the claim that is being sought. So that you do no miss on the payments for reasons such as delay in complying with all the requirements.

Documents required to claim PMJJBY benefit

• Duly filled claim form
• Death certificate
• Discharge receipt
• Cancelled cheque leaf etc.
• Now after you submit the details with the required document to your bank, the bank would need to make a claim with the concerned insurer within 30 days from submission of the claim to the bank.

Can you still buy the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana Policy?

If you have not been paying for this insurance then you can still enroll for it and premium shall be paid on a pro-rata basis.

Time line when PMJJBY is purchased Premium to be paid

Time line when PMJJBY is purchased	Premium to be paid
June, July & August	Annual premium of Rs 330 is payable
September, October and November	3 quarters of premium at Rs 86; i.e. Rs. 258 is payable
December, January and February	2 quarters of premium at Rs, 86 i.e. Rs 172 is payable
March, April and May	1 quarterly premium at Rs 86 is payable

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