Legal Tips

Death Claims in Life Insurance

Document Date: 01-Mar-2011

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions on the topic "Death Claims in Life Insurance"

1. I made a nomination under the Co-operative Societies Act for my wife to receive the moneys payable under my life policy, in the event of my death. When I die, does my wife need to apply for grant of probate or letters of administration before submitting a claim?
2. If I do not make such a nomination and do not give my insurer written notice of my will under S. 61(9)(c) of the Insurance Act, who will be able to submit a claim for the policy moneys?
3. What documents should a claimant bring along in order to submit a claim?
4. Do my nominees need to apply for the Grant of Probate or the Letter of Administration?

Please note that the Nomination of Beneficiaries framework has been changed with effect from 1 September 2009.  Click here for the link to Frequently Asked Questions

1. I made a nomination under the Co-operative Societies Act for my wife to receive the moneys payable under my life policy, in the event of my death. When I die, does my wife need to apply for grant of probate or letters of administration before submitting a claim?
   
   No, it is not necessary. We will pay all the policy moneys to your wife without the need to produce the grant of probate or the letters of administration.
   
   

Top

2. If I do not make such a nomination and do not give my insurer written notice of my will under S. 61(9)(c) of the Insurance Act, who will be able to submit a claim for the policy moneys?
   
   If there are no nominees, a person who is considered a proper claimant can submit a claim. In the case of a will for which written notice was not given to the insurer under S. 61(9)(c) of the Insurance Act, a proper claimant would be the person who claims to be entitled to the policy moneys as executor. This would mean the person named as executor in the deceased policyholder's will. If there is no will, a proper claimant would be the deceased's spouse, parent, children, brother, sister, nephew or niece.
   
   NTUC Income will settle the claim up to $150,000 to a proper claimant without the grant of probate or letters of administration. NTUC Income will pay the balance of the policy moneys above $150,000 to the proper claimants after the Estate Duty Clearance Certificate (for deaths occurring before 15 February 2008) or the grant of probate or letters of administration (for deaths occurring on or after 15 February 2008) have been obtained & submitted to NTUC Income.
   
   

   Top

3. What documents should a claimant bring along in order to submit a claim?
   
   The claimant needs to bring along the death claim form (completed by next of kin), death certificate of the insured person (original or certified true copy), proof of relationship eg. marriage or birth certificate, NRIC(s), Birth Certificate(s) or Passport(s) of the claimant, copy of nomination form (if any) and the will, if the deceased left one behind.
   
   If the grant of probate or the letters of administration have been extracted, this should be submitted with the claim.
   
   

Top

4. Do my nominees need to apply for the Grant of Probate or the Letter of Administration?
   
   No.
   
   However, where there is no nomination, the Grant of Probate or the Letter of Administration is necessary for claims above $150,000. We will pay up to $150,000 of the policy moneys to the proper claimant without the need to produce the Grant of Probate or the Letter of Administration. The balance of the policy moneys above $150,000 will be paid to the Executor or Administrator after the Grant of Probate or the Letter of Administration has been submitted.