LIC term plans have a strong claim settlement record. decades of brand trust. often the first choice for many buyers. but comparing them effectively takes work. the premium calculator needs to be understood. the rider options need to be checked. both affect the overall cost and value.
how the premium calculator works.
The LIC premium calculator estimates the cost of a term plan based on several key personal details. A comparison involves entering the same inputs for each LIC plan and any alternative policies being considered.
The calculator typically requires the following inputs:
- Date of birth, gender, and contact details of the person to be insured
- Smoker status – non-smokers get lower premium rates
- Policy term – the number of years coverage is required
- Sum assured – the amount of coverage needed
- Premium payment term – regular pay, limited pay, or single pay
Based on these inputs, the LIC term plan calculator determines the mortality charges for providing life coverage over the policy term. Applicable taxes and cess are then added to arrive at the final premium.
key LIC term plans to compare.
LIC offers several term plans, each with different features and premium structures.
LIC Digi Term (Plan 876). This is one of the most affordable pure term plans from LIC. It offers online-only purchase, level or increasing cover options, and sum assured from ₹50 lakh to ₹5 crore. However, it offers no riders, no early exit option, and no flexibility in claim payouts. The plan is available only up to age 45 at entry and maximum maturity age is 70.
LIC Bima Kavach (Plan 887). This plan is designed for higher coverage, with a minimum sum assured of ₹2 crore and no upper limit. It offers level or increasing cover, life stage-based cover increases after marriage and children, and a maximum policy term up to age 100. However, it only offers an accidental death benefit rider and lacks critical illness or waiver of premium riders.
LIC New Tech Term (Plan 954). An online-only plan available to individuals aged 18 to 65 with Class 12 education. It offers level or increasing cover, and an accident benefit rider is available. However, it offers no critical illness, waiver of premium, or disability riders, and no premium discounts for online buyers.
LIC Yuva Term (Plan 875). Similar to Digi Term but available only through offline channels such as LIC agents and brokers.
the riders available
LIC offers limited rider options compared to private insurers.
Accident Benefit Rider. This is the most common rider available across LIC term plans. It provides an additional payout if death occurs due to an accident.
New Term Assurance Rider. This is a supplementary benefit attached to eligible non-linked policies when purchased. It adds a lump sum death benefit on top of the base policy payout. Key features include:
- Sum assured: ₹1 lakh to ₹25 lakh, with this ceiling applying across every policy held combined
- Age at entry: 18 to 60 years, with coverage ceasing at 75 years
- Term: 5 to 35 years
- Premium payment: Available in single, regular, and limited pay modes
Important limitation. A significant constraint of this rider is the ₹25 lakh maximum sum assured, which is unlikely to be sufficient for most working professionals who typically require ₹2 crore or more in life cover. Additionally, the rider cover is entirely dependent on the base policy remaining active. If premiums on the base policy become difficult to sustain, there is a risk of losing both the investment component and the life cover at the same time.
What is not available. LIC’s term plans do not offer critical illness riders, waiver of premium riders, or total permanent disability riders. These are available with many private insurers.
LIC vs private insurers. premium and features comparison.
LIC’s term plans are generally more expensive than comparable policies from private insurers for regular premium payment options. For example, at age 30, LIC Digi Term Plan charges ₹23,660, while private insurers like ICICI Iprotect Smart Plus charges ₹21,237 and Axis Max Smart Term Plan Plus charges ₹22,556 for similar coverage.
| Metric | LIC | Private Insurers |
|---|---|---|
| Claim Settlement Ratio (FY 22-25) | 98.35% | 98.66% average |
| Complaints per 10,000 Claims | 4.57 | 17.67 average |
| Rider Options | Limited (accident benefit only) | Wide range (critical illness, waiver of premium, disability) |
| Digital Experience | Basic online journey | Digital-first, often with app-based services |
The single premium option for LIC Bima Kavach is more competitively priced, charging ₹4.76 lakh compared to private insurer single premiums ranging from ₹3.89 lakh to ₹5.36 lakh. Regular payment options from private insurers tend to be more affordable.
practical comparison approach
Step 1. Use the premium calculator. the LIC website has a premium calculator. select “Buy Online” and choose the specific term plan. enter personal details like age, income, and contact details. then fill in the sum assured, policy term, and payment option. the calculator generates an indicative premium.
Step 2. Compare based on the same inputs. Use the same age, cover amount, policy term, and smoker status across all plans, including those from private insurers.
Step 3. Evaluate the riders. Check which riders are available and whether they are genuinely needed. An accident benefit rider adds extra protection, but the ₹25 lakh cap on the New Term Assurance Rider may not be sufficient for most needs.
Step 4. Consider the total cost. Compare both the annual premium and the total cost over the full policy term. Limited pay options may have higher annual premiums but lower total cost.
Step 5. Check claim settlement and complaint records. LIC has a strong claim settlement ratio of 98.35%, while private insurers like HDFC Life, ICICI Prudential, and Max Life often have ratios above 99%. LIC also has significantly lower complaint volumes per 10,000 claims.
frequently asked questions
1. What is the minimum sum assured for LIC term plans?
LIC Digi Term starts at ₹50 lakh, while LIC Bima Kavach starts at ₹2 crore. The New Term Assurance Rider starts at ₹1 lakh.
2. How does LIC’s claim settlement ratio compare to private insurers?
LIC’s claim settlement ratio is 98.35%, slightly below the industry average of 98.66%, while top private insurers often exceed 99%.
3. Are LIC term plans cheaper than private insurers?
For regular premium payments, private insurers are generally more affordable. LIC’s single premium option for Bima Kavach is competitively priced.
4. Does LIC offer critical illness riders with term plans?
No, LIC’s term plans do not offer critical illness riders. These are available with many private insurers.
5. Can the New Term Assurance Rider be added later?
No, it must be selected at the time of purchasing the base policy and cannot be added later.
