LIC Bima Diamond Plan

 The Bima Diamond Plan from Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) is a with-profit, limited premium payment, non-linked, money-back, life insurance policy. This policy provides members a range of benefits including a death benefit, a survival benefit, maturity benefit, and payment of loyalty additions. In addition, in case the policyholder is in need of funds during the policy tenure, he/she also can avail a loan against the policy.

The insurer will decide the premium amount on a case-by-case basis, as per the policy tenure, sum assured, and other factors. Customers purchasing this policy can also opt to avail LIC’s Accidental Death and Disability Benefit Rider and/or LIC’s New Term Assurance Rider. Tax benefits as per the prevailing Income Tax laws will be applicable.

Eligibility - Who is the Bima Diamond Plan for?

Insurers have a pre-defined eligibility criteria that you need to meet in order to purchase the plan.

Parameters	Criteria for eligibility
Minimum age at entry	14 years
Maximum age at entry	16-Year Policy Term: 50 years 20-Year Policy Term: 45 years 24-Year Policy Term: 41 years
Maximum age at maturity	16-Year Policy Term: 66 years 20-Year and 24-Year Policy Term: 65 years

Sum Assured and Premium Range - What you get and what it costs?

Sum Assured

Sum Assured is the basic amount payable by the insurer to the policyholder or nominee, before the addition of bonuses. Policy buyers will have to choose the sum assured at the inception of the policy.

Minimum Sum Assured	Rs.1 lakh
Maximum Sum Assured	Rs. 5 lakh

Premiums*

You will have to pay your insurer a certain premium amount on a regular basis to avail the policy coverage. Listed below are a few details related to your policy tenure and premium payments.

Policy Tenure	16 Years 20 Years 24 Years
Premium Payment Tenure	10 Years 12 Years 15 Years
Premium Payment Mode	Yearly Half-Yearly Quarterly Monthly

*Premiums vary based on age, location, plan term, GST, and other factors.

Plan Coverage - What LIC’s Bima Diamond Plan covers?

Death Benefit	If the policyholder passes away during the first 5 years, the insurer will pay the Death Sum Assured to the nominee. If the policyholder passes away 5 years, the Death Sum Assured and Loyalty Additions will be paid.
Survival Benefit	Survival benefits will be paid on the completion of certain policy years, as per the policy tenure. 16-Year Policy Term: 15% of the Sum Assured will be paid at the completion of the 4th, 8th, and 12th year. 20-Year Policy Term: 15% of the Sum Assured will be paid at the completion of the 4th, 8th, 12th, and 16th year. 24-Year Policy Term: 12% of the Sum Assured will be paid at the completion of the 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, and 20th policy year.
Maturity Benefit	The maturity benefit will be paid at the end of the policy tenure with loyalty additions. For policy tenure of 16 years, 55% of the sum assured will be paid as the maturity benefit. For policy tenure of 20 and 24 years, 40% of the sum assured will be paid.

Riders/Add-On Plans – Additional coverage under LIC’s Bima Diamond Plan

Policyholders who wish to enhance their level of coverage or benefits payable in case of an eventuality can also opt for LIC’s Accidental Death and Disability Benefit Rider and LIC’s New Term Assurance Rider. You will have to note that your Rider Sum Assured cannot be more than the sum assured of your base policy.

Exclusions - What the Bima Diamond Plan doesn’t cover?

If the policyholder passes away due to committing suicide within 1 year of purchasing the policy, the insurer will return 80% of the overall premiums paid. In comparison, if the policyholder commits suicide within 1 year of reviving the policy, the insurer will pay the Surrender Value of the policy or 80% of the premium paid, based on which is higher, to the nominee.

Other Key Features – Free-Look Period, Surrender Value, Grace Period, etc.

Free-Look Period	You can return the policy within 15 days, if you don’t find the policy terms and conditions satisfactory.
Loan against Policy	If the policy has acquired a surrender value, one can avail a loan against the policy.
Surrender Value	One can surrender the policy if a minimum of at least 3 years’ premiums have been paid. The insurer shall pay the higher of the Guaranteed Surrender Value or the Special Surrender Value.
Paid-Up Policy	If the policyholder has paid 3 years’ premiums but not the subsequent premium, the policy will be converted into a paid-up policy.
Policy Revival	Lapsed policies can be revived within 2 years of the date of policy lapse. You will need to pay the unpaid premiums with interest to revive your policy.
Rebates	Rebates can be availed if one opts for a yearly or half-yearly mode of payment, and also for opting for a sum assured over Rs.2 lakh.
Grace Period	Yearly, Half-Yearly, Quarterly Mode of Premium Payment: 30 days Monthly Mode of Premium Payment: 15 days
Loyalty Additions	Loyalty Additions will be paid along with the death benefit, provided at least 5 policy years were completed, or along with the maturity benefit. Loyalty Additions can also be paid with the Special Surrender Value.

Tax Benefits – How you can save with LIC’s Bima Diamond Plan?

Individuals can claim tax benefits under Section 80C and Section 10(10D) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Tax laws can change with time, and hence you will have to ensure that you consult with a tax advisor.

Other Benefits of opting for LIC as your Insurance Provider

• Premium Payment: You can pay your premiums through online or offline channels. On LIC’s website, premiums can be paid via credit/debit card or net banking. You can also pay it at the insurer’s branch, Axis bank, or Corporation bank branch. Payment can also be done through Franchisees or Merchants that are listed on the insurer’s official website.
• Customer Service: Based on where you reside, you can view the address, contact number, and email ID of a branch in your city.
• Range of Plans: LIC offers a range of both individual and group insurance policies. Individual insurance plans include endowment plans, pension plans, unit linked plans, micro insurance plans, etc.
• Branch Locator: If you need to speak with a representative at the insurer’s branch, you can locate a branch closest to you directly through the insurer’s website.

Why you should buy the Bima Diamond Plan from LIC?

The Bima Diamond Plan from LIC offers significant monetary benefits to policyholders, thus helping them secure the lives of their dependents. In addition to a comprehensive risk cover, the policy also guarantees a death/maturity benefit and payment of survival benefits at regular intervals, which can help one plan for future milestones. In addition, the insurer also pays loyalty additions along with the benefits.

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) was established decades ago in order to provide life insurance solutions to the Indian population. The company has a wide reach, with a number of branches across India. For FY15-16, LIC has reported a claim settlement ratio of 98.33%, which one of the highest claim settlement ratios in the country that financial year. The company offers competitive insurance solutions and has set the benchmark for the life insurance industry time and again.