LIC Nomination: Why It Matters and How to Update It
Why the nominee on your LIC policy deserves more attention than it usually gets.
What a Nominee Actually Does
A nominee is the person LIC pays the claim amount to in the event of the life assured's death. It is not necessarily the same as your legal heir under succession law — which is exactly why getting it right, and keeping it updated, matters.
Common Life Events That Should Trigger an Update
- Marriage (many people initially nominate a parent, then need to update after marriage)
- Birth of a child
- Death of a previously named nominee
- A change in your relationship with the current nominee
What Happens Without a Valid Nominee
If there is no valid nominee on record, the claim amount is generally payable to the legal heirs as per succession law — a process that is typically longer and more complex than a straightforward nominee-based claim, and can add significant delay and paperwork for a grieving family.
How to Update Your Nominee
This typically involves submitting a nomination request form to LIC's servicing branch along with your policy details — a simple process that's easy to defer indefinitely if you don't set a reminder to do it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, LIC generally allows multiple nominees with specified shares, subject to current rules.
After any major life event (marriage, childbirth, death of a nominee), and otherwise as part of a periodic policy review every few years.
Have a Question About Your Own Situation?
General guides are a starting point — share your specifics for a considered answer.