Unit Linked Insurance Plans

Yes, you can buy a ULIP life insurance plan in the name of your minor child. ULIPs allow children aged 30-90 days and above to be covered under the plan. So, check the minimum entry age and if your child fulfils the minimum entry age criterion, you can insure him/her under the plan.

Usually, ULIPs are offered for a minimum period of 5-10 years and a maximum tenure up to 40 years. However, there are ULIPs which also allow lifelong coverage and continue till you reach 99 or 100 years of age.

ULIPs have a minimum lock-in period of 5 years before which you are not allowed to surrender. If you discontinue the premium after 3 years, the fund value would be transferred to a discontinued policy fund. Discontinuation charges would be deducted from the fund for the next 2 years. Once the lock-in period is over, you would be allowed to withdraw your fund value from the discontinued fund.

Enhancement of the sum assured depends on the plan’s terms and conditions. Some ULIPs allow enhancement of the sum assured during the policy tenure while others don’t. So, read your policy document to understand if an enhancement is allowed or not.

You can claim a deduction for the premium paid up to a maximum limit of Rs.1.5 lakhs under Section 80C. However, if your premium is more than 10% of the sum assured, premium up to 10% of the sum assured would be allowed as a deduction.

Yes, there is a minimum and maximum limit on the amount of partial withdrawals that you do. This limit depends on the policy. However, almost all ULIPs ensure that after the withdrawal, your fund value should be equal to at least one annualised premium.

Yes, you can buy as many ULIPs as you want. There is no restriction on the number of ULIPs that you can buy.

Yes, an additional premium is required for the rider. However, under ULIPs, you don’t have to pay the premium. The cost of the rider is deducted from the fund value as the rider coverage charge.

Some plans allow you the flexibility to avail of the death benefit in installments rather than in one lump sum. However, this benefit is plan specific and you should check your policy to find out if you can avail of the death benefit in installments or not.

No, on maturity, the fund value is paid even if it is lower than the sum assured.

Yes, some ULIPs allow coverage on a joint basis. So, check for plans which allow such coverage because not all ULIPs have this feature.

ULIPs allow different types of premium payment modes. You can pay a single premium, limited premium, or regular premium for the policy if the policy allows.

Under pension ULIPs, you are allowed to withdraw up to 60% of the accumulated fund value in lump sum. The remaining fund value should, then, be used to either buy a single premium deferred annuity plan or an immediate annuity plan.

No, the returns under ULIPs are not guaranteed. They depend on the market movement.

No, you cannot lower the charges associated with ULIPs. The charge structure is designed by the company and is applicable for all policyholders. However, if you look for plans that refund some of the charges on maturity, you can lower the effective charges deducted from your fund value.

Nomination is not mandatory. However, it is advisable to nominate an individual to receive the death benefit otherwise, if the insured dies, his/her legal heirs would have to make a claim by proving their legal status as the deceased’s heirs.

Yes, a loading is applicable if you pay monthly premiums, if you have an adverse medical history, if you smoke, etc. However, no additional premium is payable for the loading. The loading is adjusted as an increase in the ULIP charges.

If you are aged above 45 years, or if you opt for a high sum assured or if you have an adverse medical condition then you would have to undergo a health check-up before buying the policy.

Usually, ULIPs allow individuals aged up to 65 years to buy the plan. In some plans, however, the maximum entry age can be up to 70 years too.

Most ULPIs allow a sum assured of 1.25 times the top-up premiums if you are aged up to 45 years. For higher ages, the sum assured is calculated as 1.10 times the top-up premium.