What Happens if the nominee of a Term Insurance Plan Dies?

A nominee is an important part of a term life insurance plan who receives the benefits when the insured dies. But, do you know what happens to a term plan if the nominee of the policy dies? Let’s find out.

Every financial planning or investment has a nominee or beneficiary who is appointed to receive the benefits of the plan. By appointing a nominee the insured wants to make sure that the benefits of the investment are gained by the person of their choice after their death. In a term insurance plan, the nominee is the person who receives benefits in the event of sudden death of the insured during the plan term. But, have you ever considered a scenario where the nominee of the policy dies before the life assured. What happens to the policy in that case? Can you rename another nominee during the policy tenure? What will happen if the nominee of the term plan is not declared.

Let’s understand the above questions in different scenarios.

What happens to the term policy if the nominee of the plan dies during the tenure of the policy?

In case the nominee of the policy dies before the life assured, the nominee process no longer stays valid. In this case the life assured can modify the selection. However, in case the nominee pass away after the insured but before getting the claim money, the benefit amount is offered to the lawful heir.

Thus, it is advised to update the nomination whenever required to avoid any kind of dispute so that the amount is received by the person who needs it the most when you are not there with the person.

Is it possible to change the nominee in term plans in the middle of the policy term?

Yes, term insurance plans allow you to change the nominee of your term insurance during the policy tenure. If you change nominee, the new nomination supersedes all the earlier nominees and makes them invalid.

Who can be selected as a Nominee? 

Anyone of your family members can be selected as a nominee who is monetarily reliant on you and whose life will be affected monetarily in your absence or in case of your sudden death. However, you cannot propose distant relatives or non-family members.

For example, suppose you bought a policy when you were young and not married and you made your aged father the legal heir. Later, your father died due to old age. So, now you have to change the nominee after his death so that there is no legal hassle later in case of your sudden demise.

Can Minors be appointed as nominees?

Yes, minors can be appointed as nominees of term insurance plans. As such, most people buy term insurance to safeguard the future of their children to financially secure them and their career goals. However, till the child is below 18, he/she is not allowed to manage the funds. In such cases, a guardian called custodian is appointed till the child is 18 years old.

6 features of nominee benefits under best term insurance plans in India

1. Affordable premium rates
2. Easy to buy
3. Premium Waiver benefit
4. Non-working spouse cover
5. Growing life coverage
6. Claim payout option

What happens if the nominee of the term plan is not declared?

If the policyholder hasn’t declared the nominee at the time of buying the policy and  has not nominated anyone, there are legal procedures that can be followed to avoid any legal tussle in the future. In such a scenario, the mother or father of the policyholder along with the spouse or the son is regarded as the class 1 legal heirs to the policy benefits and are eligible to claim it.

On the other hand, if the policyholder has not declared a nominee and has left a will, the fund distribution takes place as per the 1925 Indian Succession Act.