Search Unclaimed Insurance Funds in India: Step-by-Step 2025 Guide
Search Unclaimed Insurance Funds
Each year, insurers remit billions of rupees in unclaimed insurance policy proceeds to the IRDAI’s Unclaimed Amounts Fund—money that rightfully belongs to policyholders or their heirs. Whether due to missed premium payments, unclaimed maturity proceeds, or undiscovered death benefits, these unclaimed insurance funds continue to sit in limbo until someone comes forward. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to search unclaimed insurance funds in India—across IRDAI’s IGMS portal, individual insurer registers, bancassurance channels, and other public repositories—and then how to file a smooth claim to recover every rupee owed.
1. Understanding Unclaimed Insurance Funds
- Definition: Funds from lapsed, matured, or death-benefit policies that remain unpaid and have been transferred by insurers to the IRDAI Unclaimed Amounts Fund (after statutory lapse periods).
- Why It Matters: Money in this fund accrues no additional benefits and is inaccessible until claimed—often running into crores of rupees collectively.
- Who Can Claim: Original policyholders (for matured or surrender value), nominees (for death benefits), or legal heirs (in absence of valid nominee).
2. Common Triggers for Funds Becoming Unclaimed
- Policy Lapse
- Premiums not paid within the grace period → policy marked inoperative → after two years, unclaimed funds transferred.
- Unclaimed Maturity
- Endowment, money-back, or ULIP policies that mature but whose proceeds go unclaimed for three years.
- Death Benefits Unpaid
- Nominees unaware of policy details or lacking documentation.
- KYC/Contact Mismatch
- Address or KYC not updated → policy communications return undelivered.
How to Search Unclaimed Insurance Funds in India
There’s no single database—so you need a multi-pronged approach:
- IRDAI IGMS Portal
- IRDAI Public Registers
- Individual Insurer Unclaimed Amounts Pages
- Bank & Postal Channels
- Government/Public-Sector Insurer Registers
Below, we’ll cover each in detail.
3. IRDAI IGMS Portal Search
- Visit https://igms.irda.gov.in/ → Search Unclaimed Amount
- Enter your name (exactly as in policies) and insurer name (optional).
- View returned list of policies/funds held under your name.
- Raise Grievance directly from the results:
- Select “Unclaimed Amount” → fill in required details → upload KYC and proof of policy (if available).
- Note the grievance ID for tracking.
Tip: You can also search by policy number or PAN for more precise results.
4. Download & Search IRDAI Public Registers
Every quarter, IRDAI publishes PDF/Excel lists of unclaimed amounts by insurer:
- Go to https://www.irdai.gov.in/ → Public Notices → Unclaimed Amounts
- Download the latest register for each insurer.
- Search (Ctrl+F) your name or partial name to locate matching entries.
- Record policy numbers and amounts, then file a grievance via IGMS or insurer portal.
5. Individual Insurer Unclaimed Amounts
Each insurer maintains its own “Unclaimed Amounts” or “Inoperative Policies” section:
- LIC: Unclaimed Maturities (PDF/Excel on LIC e-Services)
- HDFC Life, ICICI Prudential, Max Life, SBI Life: Web form or PDF list
- Smaller Insurers: Email or written request to their grievance redressal address
Steps:
- Navigate to the insurer’s website → “Unclaimed Amounts”
- Search by name / policy number
- Note details and follow their claim process (online form or email application).
6. Bancassurance & Postal Channels
Many policies are sold via banks or India Post:
- Bancassurance: SBI Life, ICICI Prudential policies sold through bank branches
- Postal Life Insurance (PLI / RPLI): Offered by India Post
How to Search:
- Bank: Visit your branch → request “List of Unclaimed Insurance Policies” under your Customer ID.
- Post Office: Ask for the “PLI Unclaimed Policies” register; provide name and PLI number (if known).
- Online Portals: Some banks/PLI schemes have online policy status search.
7. Government & Public-Sector Insurer Registers
Public-sector companies also publish unclaimed amounts:
- Oriental / United India / National Insurance / New India Assurance → check “Public Notices” on their sites
- MCA-IEPF Portal: For group-insured corporate policies transferred after seven years
Process:
- Download the latest unclaimed register.
- Search by name or policy/certificate number.
- File Claim using the insurer’s specific form or IEPF-5 (for group policies).
Step-By-Step Claim Process for Unclaimed Funds
Once you’ve identified unclaimed amounts, follow this universal workflow:
- Gather Documents
- Policy proof (bond copy or certificate)
- KYC (Aadhaar, PAN)
- Bank proof (cancelled cheque / passbook)
- Nominee proof / succession certificate (if applicable)
- Complete Claim Form
- Insurer-specific e-form or IGMS grievance form
- Provide policy number, amount claimed, and reason
- Submit
- Online: via insurer portal or IGMS
- Offline: registered post to insurer’s head office
- Acknowledge & Track
- Note reference/grievance ID
- Use insurer portal or IGMS to monitor status
- Follow-Up
- If no resolution in 30 days online (45 days offline), escalate via IRDAI GRMS or regional IRDAI office.
Documentation Checklist
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Policy Bond / Certificate Copy | Original or certified copy |
| Claim Form | Insurer-specific or IGMS grievance form |
| Aadhaar / PAN / Passport (NRIs) | Self-attested |
| Cancelled Cheque / Bank Statement | Must show IFSC, account number, and name |
| Nominee Proof / Succession Cert. | For death-benefit claims |
| Death Certificate (if applicable) | For nominee claims |
| Employer Certificate (group plan) | Service period, last salary (if group) |
Tracking & Follow-Up
- IGMS Portal: use grievance ID
- Insurer Portal: online claim tracker
- Email/SMS Alerts: ensure correct contact details
- Escalation: IRDAI GRMS (https://igrms.irdai.gov.in/) after 60 days
Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid
| Pitfall | Solution |
|---|---|
| Incorrect Name Spelling | Use exact name as in policy documents |
| Unverified KYC | Verify Aadhaar / PAN online before filing |
| Multiple Policies / IDs | Consolidate via insurer’s customer service |
| Outdated Claim Forms | Download latest forms from official portals |
| Missing Nominee Details | Always maintain updated nominee records with insurer |
FAQ
Q1: Can I claim an unclaimed fund after 5 years?
Yes—IRDAI retains unclaimed amounts indefinitely; you simply need the original details and valid KYC to file.
Q2: Do insurers charge a fee?
No—the claim process is free. You may incur notary or courier charges only.
Q3: How long does IGMS take to resolve?
Typically 30–45 days if your documents and policy details are complete.
Conclusion & Next Steps
Locating and reclaiming unclaimed insurance funds in India requires persistence—but the payoff can be substantial. By systematically searching IRDAI’s IGMS and public registers, insurer-specific portals, bancassurance channels, and government repositories, you ensure no dormant fund goes unnoticed.
👉 Ready to recover your unclaimed insurance funds?
Our Rightfully Yours Claim Support team will handle every step—from policy search and document collection to grievance filing and follow-up—so you get your money back quickly and hassle-free.
Get Expert Help to Search & Claim Your Unclaimed Insurance Funds