What Documents Required for Term Insurance – Everything You Need to Know in 2025

When applying for term insurance in 2025, understanding what documents required for term insurance can save you time, avoid delays, and increase your chances of fast approval. Whether you’re just starting your application or preparing to file a claim, having the right paperwork ready is essential.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through term insurance application requirements, the documents needed for a life insurance policy, and what insurers expect at every stage—from applying to claiming benefits.

Let’s break it down in simple terms.

📌 What Is Term Insurance and Why Documentation Matters?

Term insurance is a type of life insurance that provides financial protection for a fixed period (like 10, 20, or 30 years). If the policyholder passes away during the policy term, their nominee receives the sum assured.

But to get that coverage—or claim it—insurance companies need to verify that:

• You’re who you say you are

• You meet eligibility standards

• You’re not hiding any medical or financial details

This is why documentation is the backbone of the term insurance process.

✅ Documents Needed for Term Insurance Application

Here’s a complete checklist of what you’ll need when applying for term insurance in India:

1. Proof of Identity for Term Insurance

Accepted documents include:

• Aadhaar Card

• PAN Card

• Passport

• Voter ID

• Driving License

👉 Why it matters: Identity verification for insurance ensures the policy is issued to the right person.

2. Age Proof for Term Life Insurance

You must prove your age to determine eligibility and calculate premiums.

Common age proof documents:

• Birth Certificate

• 10th/12th Marksheet

• Passport

• PAN Card

• Aadhaar Card

👉 Pro Tip: Always use a document where your date of birth matches other submitted forms.

3. Address Proof for Life Insurance

Your permanent and current address should be clearly stated in these accepted documents:

• Aadhaar Card

• Utility Bills (Electricity, Water, Gas – not older than 3 months)

• Passport

• Rental Agreement

• Bank Statement with address

This helps the insurer in communication and KYC compliance.

4. Proof of Income for Life Insurance

This is one of the most important KYC documents for term insurance and is used to determine how much coverage you are eligible for.

Accepted income documents:

• Salary slips (last 3-6 months)

• Latest Income Tax Returns (ITR)

• Form 16 (for salaried professionals)

• Bank statements (last 6 months)

• CA-certified financials (for self-employed individuals)

👉 Income verification helps assess the risk and coverage amount you’re eligible for.

5. Medical Documents for Term Insurance

Many insurers require medical reports as part of their risk assessment documents for life insurance.

You may need to provide:

• Previous medical history reports

• Blood test, ECG, or other lab results

• Reports from full-body checkups (especially if opting for high coverage)

👉 Some insurers arrange free medical tests at your doorstep or designated labs.

6. Photographs and Signature Proof

• Recent passport-size photos

• Scanned or physical signature proof (as required by the insurer)

These are needed for policy documentation and future verification.

📂 Required Documents for Term Insurance Claim

In unfortunate situations where a claim must be made, here’s what your nominee will need:

1. Original Policy Document

This is the official term insurance contract document that confirms your coverage.

2. Death Certificate

Issued by a municipal authority or hospital. This proves the insured’s passing.

3. Identity and Address Proof of Nominee

To verify who is claiming the amount.

4. Bank Details of Nominee

Cancelled cheque or bank passbook copy for payment processing.

5. Medical Records (if death was due to illness)

Hospitals often issue discharge summaries and treatment documents that may be required.

6. Police FIR/Post-mortem Report (for accidental or unnatural deaths)

Essential for accident-related claims.

👉 Note: Faster claims happen when documents are submitted promptly and completely.

🧾 Summary Table: Document Checklist

🧠 Real-Life Example: Why Correct Documents Matter

Example: Ravi, a 35-year-old IT professional in Pune, applied for a ₹1 crore term plan. During his application, he submitted incomplete income proof. As a result, his coverage was capped at ₹50 lakhs.

Lesson? Submitting accurate documents upfront saves time and ensures you get the right cover.

In another case, a nominee’s claim was delayed for weeks because the death certificate had a spelling mismatch with the policy name.

✅ Always double-check details before submission.

🛡️ Term Insurance Eligibility Documents: Who Needs What?

Your profession, age, income level, and medical history will determine which documents you’ll be asked to submit.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Salaried individuals: Salary slips, Form 16, ID proof, medical tests

• Self-employed: ITR, CA audit reports, business proof, ID, address

• NRIs: Passport copy, visa/residency documents, NRE account proof

• Senior citizens (50+): Extensive medical screening documents

📥 Insurer Document Submission Process

Online Application

Most insurers in 2025 let you upload documents directly on their portal. Ensure files are:

• In PDF or JPG format

• Under the specified file size

• Clear and legible

Offline Submission

For those who prefer face-to-face service, documents can be submitted at a branch or via authorized agents. Always ask for a submission receipt.

✅ Tips to Speed Up Approval

• Use Aadhaar-based eKYC for quicker ID and address verification

• Opt for pre-medical checkups if required—it avoids last-minute delays

• Upload documents during working hours for faster backend processing

• Cross-verify all personal details across forms and documents

• Save digital backups of every file you submit

❓FAQs: Term Insurance Documentation in 2025

1. What documents are required for a life insurance policy application?

You’ll need identity proof, address proof, age proof, income proof, and sometimes medical test results.

2. Are medical tests mandatory for term insurance?

Not always. Some low-cover policies are issued without tests, but high sum assured plans often require medical tests for term insurance.

3. What is the claim process documentation needed after death?

Nominees must submit the original policy document, death certificate, their ID/address proof, and medical or legal documents depending on the cause of death.

4. What are KYC documents for term insurance?

PAN or Aadhaar (ID), utility bill or Aadhaar (address), and income proof like salary slips or ITRs qualify as KYC documents.

5. Can I submit documents online?

Yes. Most insurers now support online applications with secure document upload portals.

6. Is Aadhaar enough as ID and address proof?

Yes, Aadhaar is accepted for both purposes. But insurers may still ask for secondary proof in certain cases.

7. How do insurance companies verify documents?

Through backend KYC databases, manual review, and sometimes in-person verification by agents.

🏁 Final Thoughts

If you’ve been wondering what documents required for term insurance, now you know—it’s all about identity, eligibility, income, and honesty.

Submitting the right documents at the right time can help you get covered faster and ensure your family doesn’t face issues while claiming benefits.

Term insurance isn’t just a piece of paper—it’s peace of mind. So treat the documentation seriously, and you’ll reap the benefits when it matters most.