How to Claim Life Insurance After a Death in Malaysia

If your loved one had a life insurance or takaful policy, making a claim is one of the most important things to do after their passing. Many families miss out on significant payouts simply because they didn't know the policy existed, didn't know how to claim or let the process overwhelm them.

This guide walks you through exactly what to do, step by step.

---

First — find out if a policy exists

Before you can claim, you need to know what your loved one was insured under. Start with Allay's Insurance Check — we reach out to 15 life insurers and takaful providers in Malaysia on your behalf, so you don't have to repeat the same painful details over and over again. You can also:

Check their personal documents and files at home

Check their email inbox for policy documents or premium payment receipts

Check bank statements for premium deductions

Contact their employer's HR department for any group coverage

Contact their agent if you know who it was

---

What you will generally need

Requirements vary slightly between insurers but the core documents are consistent across most providers:

Standard documents:

Death Claim Form — available from the insurer or their website

Certified True Copy of the death certificate

Certified True Copy of the deceased's MyKad

Certified True Copy of the claimant's MyKad

Proof of relationship to the deceased — marriage certificate if you are the spouse, birth certificate if you are a child or parent

Direct credit form — for payment to be made directly to your bank account

If there is no nomination on the policy:

Grant of Probate or Letter of Administration is required before the claim can be paid out

For accidental death:

Police report

Post mortem report

Toxicology report if applicable

Any newspaper coverage of the incident if relevant

For death that occurred overseas:

Confirmation letter from the National Registration Department (JPN)

Certified True Copy of the deceased's full passport

---

Step by step — how to make the claim

Step 1 — Notify the insurer

Contact the insurance company as soon as possible after the death. You can do this by phone, email, through the insurer's mobile app, through the deceased's agent, or by visiting the nearest branch. Most major insurers in Malaysia have dedicated claims teams.

Step 2 — Obtain the claim form

The insurer will provide a Death Claim Form. This can usually be downloaded from their website or collected at a branch. Fill it in accurately — any errors or omissions can cause delays.

Step 3 — Gather your documents

Collect all the required documents listed above. Most documents will need to be certified true copies — these can be certified by a Commissioner of Oaths, a lawyer, or in some cases the insurer's own staff.

Step 4 — Submit the claim

Submit the completed form and all supporting documents to the insurer. Most major insurers now offer online claim submission in addition to in-person or postal submission.

Step 5 — Wait for processing

Once all documents are received and verified, most insurers process the claim within 10 to 14 working days. Delays can occur due to incomplete documentation, policy investigations or beneficiary disputes. If there is a delay, contact the insurer directly to understand the reason and what additional documentation may be needed.

Step 6 — Receive payment

Upon approval, the death benefit is paid directly to the nominated beneficiary's bank account. If there is no nomination, payment is made to the estate once the relevant legal authority — Grant of Probate or Letter of Administration — has been obtained.

---

A note on nominations

A nomination is the person the policyholder designated to receive the death benefit. If your loved one made a valid nomination, the payout goes directly to that person without needing to go through the estate administration process. This is significantly faster and simpler.

If there is no nomination, the death benefit forms part of the estate and can only be released once the estate administration process is complete — which can take months or longer.

This is one of the most common reasons life insurance payouts are delayed. If you are the policyholder reading this, ensuring your nomination is up to date is one of the most important things you can do for your family.

---

Group insurance through employers

If your loved one was employed, their employer may have provided group life insurance or group takaful coverage as part of their employee benefits. This is separate from any personal policy they may have held.

Contact the employer's HR department as soon as possible to find out what coverage was in place and how to make a claim. Group insurance claims typically go through the employer rather than directly to the insurer.

---

Common reasons claims are rejected or delayed

Incomplete documentation — missing documents are the most common cause of delay. Get everything together before submitting.

Lapsed policy — if premiums were not paid and the policy had lapsed before the death occurred, the claim may not be valid. Check the policy status with the insurer.

Suicide clause — most policies exclude claims where death is due to suicide within the first year of the policy.

Non-disclosure — if the policyholder failed to disclose a pre-existing medical condition when taking out the policy, the insurer may have grounds to void the policy within the first year.

No nomination — without a valid nomination, the claim cannot be paid directly and must wait for estate administration to be completed.

---

How long does the payout take

For straightforward claims with complete documentation, most insurers process and pay out within 10 to 14 working days. Complex cases — those involving accidental death, overseas deaths, policy investigations or no nomination — can take significantly longer.

---

Frequently Asked Questions