Do Families Of Stampede Victims Get Term Insurance Claims? The Rules Explained

Last Updated:June 04, 2025, 20:46 IST

To initiate the claim process in case of "accidental death", the nominee or family of the deceased should immediately inform the insurance company

Most insurance companies treat deaths in a stampede under the "Accidental Death" category.

What was meant to be a moment of euphoria turned into chaos on Wednesday, June 4, when a stampede erupted outside Bengaluru’s iconic Chinnaswamy Stadium during Royal Challengers Bangalore’s IPL 2025 victory celebrations. At least 7 people lost their lives after thousands gathered to catch a glimpse of the players.

However, the question now lies if the bereaved families of the victims will receive an insurance claim.

Most insurance companies treat deaths in a stampede under the “Accidental Death" category. This classification is crucial, as accidental deaths are usually covered by standard term insurance policies. The key factors are that the death must be “sudden" and “unnatural" – both boxes ticked in the case of a stampede triggered by a panicked crowd surge.

When Can An Insurance Claim Be Rejected?

However, not every accidental death is guaranteed to result in a successful claim. Insurance companies reserve the right to deny payouts if the policyholder was involved in activities deemed dangerous or unlawful. For instance, deaths resulting from riots, unauthorised gatherings, or while violating public safety laws could be excluded, depending on the fine print.

Similarly, insurers typically don’t cover deaths under circumstances such as suicide, intoxication, or violations of policy conditions. Hence, even though a stampede is generally considered accidental, every case is evaluated on its own merits.

How to File a Claim

When tragedy strikes, timing and paperwork can be critical. To initiate the claim process, the nominee or family of the deceased should immediately inform the insurance company. Required documents generally include:

• The original policy document
• Death certificate
• First Information Report (FIR)
• Post-mortem report (if applicable)
• Identity proof of the claimant

Insurance companies scrutinise these documents to verify both the cause of death and the policy’s active status at the time of the incident.

In cases where the policy’s terms are ambiguous or the claim is contested, seeking help from a certified insurance advisor or legal expert is advisable. These professionals can interpret policy language, assess eligibility, and guide families through appeals if necessary.

The Chinnaswamy Stadium tragedy is not just a call for better crowd management but also a stark reminder for individuals to thoroughly understand the fine print of their insurance policies. In moments when life takes a tragic turn, clarity over insurance claims can offer a small measure of relief to grieving families, provided the paperwork is in order and policy conditions are met.

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