In case, a policy document is irrecoverably lost, destroyed or damaged, you can obtain a simple copy of the policy by making the payment of Re.1/- only to LIC. Such a copy will serve the purpose of your obtaining details of the data pertaining to a lost policy, such as the sum assured, the insurance plan, date of maturity, etc. When the policy matures, the claim amount can be obtained on the basis of an indemnity bond. Similarly, you can also surrender a policy even if the original policy document has been lost.
However, if you need a loan against your policy, then a proper duplicate policy is necessary against the one that has been lost.
