LIC Policy Features: What You Should Know Before Buying
Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) offers a wide range of insurance policies designed to provide financial security, savings, and investment opportunities. Before purchasing a LIC policy, it is essential to understand its features, benefits, and how it aligns with your financial goals. This guide will help you make an informed decision. Key Features of LIC Policies a) Variety of Policy Options LIC offers different types of insurance policies, including: Term Insurance Plans – Pure protection with no maturity benefits. Endowment Plans – Life coverage with a savings component. Whole Life Policies – Coverage for the policyholder’s entire lifetime. Unit-Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs) – Investment and insurance combined. Pension & Retirement Plans – Financial security post-retirement. b) Flexible Premium Payment Options LIC policies come with various premium payment options: Single premium (one-time payment) Limited premium (pay for a fixed number of years) Regular premium (monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, or yearly payments) c) Loan Facility Many LIC policies allow policyholders to avail of loans against their policy’s surrender value, providing financial flexibility in times of need. d) Tax Benefits LIC policyholders can claim tax deductions under Section 80C and receive tax-free maturity benefits under Section 10(10D) of the Income Tax Act. e) Bonus and Additions Participating LIC policies offer reversionary bonuses and final additional bonuses, enhancing the overall policy value. How to Choose the Right LIC Policy a) Assess Your Financial Needs Determine whether you need pure protection, savings, retirement planning, or investment-linked insurance. b) Compare Policy Benefits Look at coverage amount, premium affordability, maturity benefits, and additional riders such as accident cover, critical illness, or waiver of premium. c) Consider Claim Settlement Ratio LIC has a high claim settlement ratio, which reflects its reliability in processing claims efficiently. d) Check Policy Terms and Conditions Understand policy exclusions, surrender value, lock-in period, and renewal options before making a decision. Pros and Cons of LIC Policies Pros: ✔ Trusted government-backed institution. ✔ Wide range of policy options. ✔ Tax benefits on premiums paid. ✔ High claim settlement ratio. ✔ Loan availability against policy. Cons: ✖ Premiums can be higher compared to some private insurers. ✖ Investment returns on traditional policies may be lower than market-linked options. ✖ Some policies have long maturity periods with limited liquidity.
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