As the NRI homecoming season nears, many non-resident Indians (NRIs) must be revisiting their financial strategies, with life insurance emerging as a key consideration. The appeal of Indian life insurance policies is growing among NRIs, thanks to their competitive premiums, comprehensive coverage, and tax advantages.
How NRIs can buy life insurance in India
The process of purchasing life insurance in India has become more convenient for NRIs, with online platforms and flexible payment options simplifying the process. NRIs can now buy policies remotely, without having to be physically present in India.
Bajaj Allianz Life and Tata AIA Life Insurance have adapted their offerings to meet the needs of overseas customers, enabling online applications and payments via NRE (non-resident external) or NRO (non-resident ordinary) accounts.
Tata AIA Life Insurance, for example, has expanded its reach by launching life insurance products through Gujarat International FinTech (GIFT) City, India’s first international financial services centre (IFSC).
This allows NRIs to access dollar-denominated policies, helping them hedge against currency fluctuations. “NRIs can explore plans, select coverage, and customise policies from anywhere in the world,” the company noted.
Here’s a look at the process
- Policies can be purchased online, through authorised representatives, or via brokers specialising in NRI services.
- Premiums can be paid using non-resident external (NRE) or non-resident ordinary (NRO) accounts, foreign bank accounts, or even international credit cards.
- Most insurers provide digital processes for documentation and verification.
- Life Insurance companies simplify medical pre-requirements for NRIs by partnering with medical centres in over 40 countries.
Advantages of Indian life insurance policies for NRIs
Indian life insurance policies offer several benefits that make them an attractive choice for NRIs. For instance, maturity proceeds and death benefits are often tax-free under Indian tax laws, a feature that might not be available with foreign insurance policies.
Indian insurers also offer flexibility in premium payment options, allowing NRIs to pay premiums in foreign currencies through their NRE or NRO accounts.
“India continues to provide ample opportunities for robust financial planning and capital growth, through various tools including life insurance, for NRIs,” said Rajesh Krishnan, Chief Operations and Customer Experience Officer at Bajaj Allianz Life.
Krishnan added, “India offers attractive premium rates for protection plans compared to what NRIs might pay for similar policies in their country of residence. Moreover, these products — ranging from savings and wealth-building life insurance plans — offer unique features, competitive returns, and convenience.”
A look at features and facilities offered by Indian insurers
Indian life insurers provide a range of features and facilities designed to meet the unique needs of NRIs.
One of their key offerings is the ‘Life Protect Supreme’ plan, which offers comprehensive protection up to the age of 100 years.
“This plan covers death and critical illness until 100 years of age, and accidental and disability protection up to 85 years,” explained a Tata AIA spokesperson.
The policy also allows for no limits on the sum assured and a minimum sum assured of $50,000. Further, investing in an Indian rupee-denominated policy allows NRIs to shield themselves from foreign currency fluctuations.
Many NRIs prefer Indian policies for estate planning, as they can direct the proceeds to specific beneficiaries, ensuring that their estate is distributed as per their wishes.
“Indian policies provide tax benefits under the Indian Income Tax Act and GST laws, making them financially advantageous for NRIs,” said Nitin Mehta, Chief Distribution Officer and Head of Marketing at Bharti AXA Life Insurance. He further noted, “Indian life insurance policies help ensure the financial security of the policyholder’s family in India, providing peace of mind, especially in case of unexpected life events.”
Mehta added that NRIs can also benefit from flexible premium payment options and comprehensive coverage.
Sourcr: CNBC TV8
Net incurred claims to net earned premium (claims ratio) of non-life insurance industry stood at 82.52 per cent during 2023-24 as against 82.95 per cent in the preceding fiscal year, as per the Irdai’s annual report.
According to the Annual Report 2023-24 of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai), during 2023-24, the non-life insurance industry underwrote a total direct premium of ₹2.90 lakh crore in India registering a growth of 12.76 per cent from previous year.
The contribution of public sector general insurers increased 8.88 per cent from ₹82,891 crore in 2022-23 to ₹90,252 crore in 2023-24. Private sector insurers, including standalone health insurers, have underwritten ₹1.88 lakh crore as against ₹1.58 lakh crore in 2022-23.
The aggregate profit of the non-life insurance sector was ₹10,119 crore as against a net loss of ₹2,566 crore in 2022-23. During 2023-24, the aggregate net incurred claims saw a 15.39 per cent increase to ₹1.72 lakh crore from ₹1.49 lakh crore.
“The incurred claims ratio (net incurred claims to net earned premium) of the non-life insurance industry was 82.52 per cent during 2023-24 as against 82.95 per cent of the previous year,” the report said. The incurred claims ratio for public sector insurers was 97.23 per cent for 2023-24 as against the previous year’s incurred claims ratio of 99.02 per cent.
The incurred claims ratio for private sector general insurers, standalone health insurers and specialised insurers were at 76.49 per cent, 63.63 per cent, and 66.58 per cent, respectively, for 2023-24 as compared to the previous year’s ratio of 75.13 per cent, 61.44 per cent and 73.71 per cent, respectively. The report also said that the life insurance industry paid total benefits of ₹5.77 lakh crore in 2023-24, constituting 70.22 per cent of the net premium.
The benefits paid on account of surrenders/withdrawals increased 15.29 per cent to ₹2.29 lakh crore in 2023-24 of which public sector life insurer accounted for 58.36 per cent. During 2023-24, a total of 18 life insurance companies reported profits. Profits of the life insurance industry grew 10.79 per cent in 2023-24 with profit after tax (PAT) of ₹47,407 crore as against ₹42,788 crore in 2022-23.
Public sector life insurers reported an 11.75 per cent increase in profits while private sector life insurers reported a rise of 5.32 per cent in profit in 2023-24. Irdai said in 2023-24, the country’s insurance penetration was at 3.7 per cent as compared to 4 per cent in 2022-23.
The insurance penetration for life insurance industry marginally declined from 3 per cent in the previous year to 2.8 per cent during 2023-24. The penetration with respect to non-life insurance industry remained the same at 1 per cent during 2023-24 as in 2022-23. There were 26 life insurers, 25 general insurers, eight standalone health insurers, 12 reinsurers and foreign reinsurance branches, and two specialised insurers, registered as on March 31, 2024.
Source : Live Mint
Traveling can be an exciting and enriching experience, but it can also come with unforeseen risks and unexpected expenses. Travel insurance is an important tool that can provide peace of mind and financial protection during your trip. Whether you are traveling domestically or internationally, travel insurance can help you deal with unexpected events such as illness, injury, trip cancellations, or lost baggage. In this article, we will explore the importance of travel insurance and how it can benefit you during your travels.
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