Replacing a lost policy document
The policy is a contract with LIC, recorded in LIC’s own records. Losing the printed bond does not cancel it, does not reduce the sum assured, and does not prevent a claim. What it does is slow things down at exactly the points where the document is asked for — a loan, a surrender, or a claim.
So this is worth fixing before you need it, not at the moment you need it.
When this applies
- The policy bond is lost, destroyed, or damaged beyond use
- You need to take a loan, surrender, or assign the policy, all of which call for the original
- You are organising documents so that your family can actually find them
What is typically required
A starting point, not a definitive list — LIC's exact requirement can vary by branch and by the specifics of your policy. Confirm before you travel.
- An application for a duplicate policy document
- An indemnity bond, which LIC may require to be on stamp paper and sometimes with a surety
- Identity and address proof
- The policy details — number, plan, and commencement date, if you have them from a premium receipt or a statement
- A fee, and in some cases a newspaper advertisement or a police complaint depending on the circumstances of the loss
The order to do it in
- 1Gather whatever policy details you still have — a premium receipt, a bank statement showing the debit, or an old statement will usually be enough for LIC to identify the policy
- 2Apply to the servicing branch for a duplicate, with the indemnity bond and identity documents
- 3Complete any additional requirement LIC specifies for your case
- 4LIC issues the duplicate, which has the same standing as the original
- 5Store it somewhere your family can find it, and tell them where
What has to go through LIC directly
A duplicate policy document is issued by LIC, and the indemnity requirement is theirs to set. KNATRA can help you identify the policy and assemble the application, but the issue itself is LIC’s.
Watch out for
- Do this before a claim, not during one. A family filing a death claim while also chasing a duplicate document is being asked to do two hard things at once.
- If you cannot find the policy number at all, a bank statement showing the premium debit is usually enough for LIC to trace it. Do not assume an untraceable document means an untraceable policy.
Common questions
- Can I still claim if the LIC policy document is lost?
- Yes. The policy exists in LIC’s records regardless of whether you hold the printed bond, and a claim is not forfeited by losing it. LIC will normally require an indemnity in place of the original, which is a delay rather than a bar — which is why getting a duplicate issued in advance is worth doing.
- How do I find my LIC policy number if I have lost everything?
- A bank statement showing the premium debit, an old premium receipt, or LIC’s own records traced from your name, date of birth and address will usually identify it. Approach the branch you believe issued it, or ask your advisor to trace it for you.
Need this done rather than explained?
Full servicing assistance — preparing the paperwork, following it up with the branch, and chasing it to completion — is for policies bought or serviced through KNATRA. If your policy is with another agent or was bought directly from LIC, everything on this page still applies to you, and you are welcome to ask for help with a specific case.