FAQs

What is my Policy Number and Client ID?

The policy number consists of nine digits and can be found at the right hand side of the first premium receipt of your policy document.

This is a unique identification number that distinguishes your policies from other policies and will remain unchanged throughout the lifetime of the policy.

Remember to quote the policy number every time in your correspondence, as it helps us to locate your records for reference.

Whereas, the client ID consists of ten digits, which is located at the left hand side of the first premium receipt of your policy document. This ID remains unique if you have more than one policy with us.

This provides an alternative to your policy number. Easy to remember one client ID, if you have more than one policy number.

Are Policy Conditions different for all policies?

Every policy is taken for different types of needs; therefore the conditions for your policy will vary according to the Plan and Term of the policy.

Policy document consist of a. Your Personal Details, b. First Premium Receipt and c. Your Policy Details. Hence it is important that you read the policy document and understand the policy conditions. The details like annual premium for your policy, the premium payment term and the term of the policy, the maturity date of the policy, the maturity value of the policy are mentioned in the policy document's' Your Policy Details' page.

The policy features are stated in the policy value provisions. Request you to refer to the policy value provisions depending upon your requirement you may avail the features offered.

What is CIP/TPIN? How can it be generated?

Customer Identification Pin (CIP) is the unique 10-digit number, wherein you can perform transactions and view your policy details by logging into the portal.

Transaction Pin (TPIN) is the password to your CIP number, consisting of 4-digits number.

Just one CIP/TPIN is required to access all your policy status.

You can generate the CIP/TPIN from our Website, just enter relevant information depending on the role. Click here, to register for CIP.

Transactions you can perform on the portal, using your CIP/TPIN;

• Change or update your contact details and email ID.

• Change the mode of your policy.

• Switch of funds and Premium redirection.

• Pay your premiums online (even for policies which are lapsed).

• Generate the reinstatement quote.

• Download tax certificate (for claiming tax benefits).

• Download account statement.

• Subscribe to e-statement (Paint the earth Green, by going green!).

What if I lose my Policy documents?

Kindly make a thorough search before concluding that you have lost the policy document. Look for the same within your residence, among your investment papers, at your office and even with your agent to whom you might have entrusted the document for some reason.

It could have been even pledged with us/any other financial institution for availing a loan by you. We retain the policy document when you go in for a loan against the policy. Make sure that the document you are searching is not one that has already been assigned to us, or to another financial institution.

If the policy document is partially destroyed due to natural causes like, fire, flood, etc, the remaining portion may be returned as evidence of loss of policy to us, while applying for a duplicate policy.

In case you are sure that the policy document is untraceable due to unknown causes, there is a simple procedure to comply with while applying for the duplicate policy at the branch that services your policy. You may submit an Indemnity bond executed on a stamp paper of Rs 200/- duly signed by you (policy owner) along with the below requirements.

• Self-attested Address proof (validity 6 months), also to be attested by BSLI authorized signatory.

• Self-attested Identity proof also to be attested by BSLI authorized signatory.

Your Contact Address & Number – Keep Us Posted without Fail

Your address is very important for us. Without your latest address we would not be in a position to contact you for any service offering. We would not like to keep any benefit that is due to you pending for want of this very important information. Whenever you shift residences, please inform the new address to us. Otherwise any communication we send to you, like premium notices, discharge vouchers for maturity and survival benefits etc., will get delayed in reaching you

To change your address, you may submit a Policy service request form to any of our branches, along with the below requirements;

• Self-attested Address proof (validity 6 months), also to be attested by BSLI authorized signatory.

• Self-attested Identity proof also to be attested by BSLI authorized signatory

You can update your contact numbers and email addresses on our website using your CIP / TPIN.

How do I change my name?

Do let us know in case of any change of name by providing a copy of the gazette notification or a copy of the marriage certificate in case of change in name due to marriage. For all other request with significant name change, a copy of the gazette notification is required. Certified true copy (ies) of the supporting document should also be enclosed.

In case of a correction in name, please enclose a copy of any of the following:

	Passport
	PAN Card
	Voter's Identity Card
	Driving license

You may submit a Policy service request form to any of our branches along with the above stated requirement(s).

What is Nomination? And how do I nominate?

Nomination enables speedy processing of claims ensuring that your loved ones get hassle free-access to the policy benefits in their hour of need.

Nominee is possible where owner and insured is the same person.

You may nominate more than one person under a policy; however percentage wise nomination is not permitted. You may also change/add nominees anytime during the tenure of the policy.

A minor can be nominated, however for all such nomination an appointee who is a Major need to be appointed.

Click here for the Nomination form to be used for fresh/addition/change of nominee. The form should be completely filled in all respects.

What is Assignment? How do I assign the policy?

Assignment is a means whereby the beneficial interest, rights and title under a policy get transferred from assignor to assignee. Insurance Act, 1938 recognizes only one mode of transfer of ownership of an insurance policy i.e., assignment under Section 38 of the Act.

Assignor is the policy owner who transfers the title of the policy and assignee is the person who derives the title to the policy from the assignor.

To assign the policy you can fill the Assignment form and submit to any of our branches along with the below requirements.

• Original Policy contract/document.

• Photograph of the proposes/new policy owner Not required in case of assignment to banks/Financial Institutions for loan.

Note: In case of assignment to banks /Financial Institutions for loan the following documents are required;

Identity Proof

• Passport

• PAN card

• Voter's Identity card

• Driving license

• Letter from any recognised public authority or public servant verifying the identity and residence of the customer

Residence Proof (last 3 months)

• Telephone bill

• Bank account statement

• Electricity bill

• Ration card

• Letter from any recognized public authority.

Income Proof (only in case of the total annual premium contribution for all the policies attached to the assignee id is Rs. 1 Lakh or above. Policies where assignee is owner and payee or just payee need to be considered for this calculation).

Can the ownership of the policy be changed in case of unfortunate death of policy owner?

Yes, you need to fill up the Deed of Relinquishment form along with the below mentioned requirement/s;

• Change in ownership form

	Deed of relinquishment DOR should be notarized on a Rs.200 stamp paper
	Death certificate
	Photograph of the proposed policy owner
	Proof of identity of the proposed policy owner
	Proof of residence of the proposed policy owner
	Proof of Income of the proposed owner.

Note: The income proof is required only in case of the total annual premium contribution for all the policies attached to the assignee id is Rs. 1 Lakh or above. Policies where assignee is owner and payee or just payee need to be considered for this calculation.

When to Pay the Premiums?

Remember to pay your premium in time i.e. on the due date mentioned in the policy document. Birla Sun Life Insurance sends renewal notice one month prior to your due date. However there may be postal delays / issues leading to non receipt / delay in receipt of renewal notice.

Does my policy immediately lapse if I don't make a premium payment on the due date?

In case you have not paid the premium within the due date there is still time for you to make the payments without payment of interest on the premium. This period is called the grace period.

The grace period for policies where the premium payment mode is monthly is 15 days from the due date. (For plans issued from September 01, 2010)

The grace period for policies where the premium payment mode is quarterly, half-yearly or yearly is one month but not less than 30 days.

What are the premium payment options available for me?

Online payment - Make an online payment on our website - www.birlasunlife.com.

ECS / Direct Debit – Make regular premium payment debit from your bank account by registering for ECS / Direct Debit. To download the form Click here.

Direct Debit from credit card – Enroll your credit card and avail the benefit of SIP. To download the form Click here.

Branch Office - You can pay your premiums at our branch by cheque or cash.

Suvidhaa – Make a cash payment upto 49000 in closest Suvidhaa outlet. To know the list of Suvidhaa stores across pan India please Click here

Bill Junction / Bill Desk – You can also authorize your premium payments online through Bill Desk / Bill Junction.

NEFT - NEFT is a secure way of making premium payment on the bank's website.

How is the facility of ECS availed? And how many days will it take to get the ECS to get activated?

Activating the ECS facility is a one-time activity. The policyholder should fill up the Auto Debit Form and get it verified and certified by the Bank where the Bank Account is maintained. The Mandate form should be sent to the nearest BSLI branch with an original cancelled cheque.

It takes 30 days for the first time.

What does this service cost me?

When will the premium amount get debited?

Do I get the receipt for my auto premium payments?

Can I cancel this facility if once availed?

When does a policy lapse?

A policy lapses when the policy holder fails to pay the premium even within the grace period. In this case, the policy loses all its benefits.

What are the requirements for revival of life policy?

You may revive the policy depending upon when you approach us for revival of the policy

Less than 180 days of lapsation	Amount as Per Reinstatement Quotation

Between 181 to 365 days of lapsation	Amount as Per Reinstatement Quotation

Certificate of Insurability Duly filled and signed

Note: Further requirements can be called

Between 366 to 730 days of lapsation

Amount as Per Reinstatement Quotation

Certificate of Insurability Duly filled and signed

Medicals depending upon the Sum at Risk

Note: Rs. 100/- per revival is charges and reserve the rights to increase this charge at any time in the future, subject to a maximum of Rs. 1000/- per revival.

How do I change the frequency of payment on my policy?

The feature of Change in frequency is allowed and varies from product to product. For more details on the applicability for your policy, you are requested to refer to your policy contract.

The requirements for Change in frequency are as under:

Update the new frequency on our website using your CIP/TPIN.

Policy service request form duly signed by the policy owner.

Call on the call centre to take the request for change of frequency.

Note: If mode of the policy needs to be changed to Monthly, then the method should be ECS, Direct Debit or Credit Card.

Can I Increase my Sum Assured during my policy tenure?

Yes you may increase the sum assured (plan specific) by submitting following things

A Letter written and signed by the Policy owner.

• Fresh Application copy

• Premium amount

• All medical and other applicable underwriting requirements.

Can I decrease my Sum Assured during my policy tenure?

Yes you may decrease the sum assured (plan specific) by submitting following things

A Letter written and signed by the Policy owner.

Original policy document.

Note: The reduction in sum assured will be effective the next policy monthiversary date coinciding with or immediately following the date of receipt of the above requirements. Eg: In case policy issue date is 24/01/2009, then 24th of every month is referred to as monthiversary.

Can I add any Rider(s) during my policy tenure?

Yes you may add any rider (plan specific) by submitting following things

• A Letter written and signed by the Policy owner.

• Illustration

• Rider Premium

• Certificate of insurability

Note

• Rider can be added only after completion of the first Policy year.

• Rider cannot be added if life insured is minor

• Riders are not allowed for NRI customers

• Addition of rider is subject to Underwriting decision

Can I delete any Rider(s) during my policy tenure?

Yes you may delete any rider (plan specific) by submitting following things

• A Letter written and signed by the Policy owner.

• Original policy document.

Note

• For Unit linked Plans: The deletion of rider will be effective the next policy monthiversary date coinciding with or immediately following the date of receipt of the above requirements. e.g.: In case policy issue date is 24/01/2009, then 24 of every month is referred to as monthiversary.

• For Term Plans: Deletion of rider can be effected only on the Policy anniversary date.

Deletion of rider is allowed only after completion of the first Policy year.

What are payouts?

Payouts refer to Availing loan on your policy, Partial withdrawal from your policy or Surrender/Closure of your policy.

How the loan is availed on my policy?

You may take a loan against your policy once it has acquired a surrender value. Please refer to your Policy document for details minimum and maximum loan. We shall charge interest on the outstanding loan balance at a rate declared by us from time to time based on then prevailing market conditions.

What is partial withdrawal?

Partial withdrawal of a policy implies withdrawal of only a part of the funds of your policy. The applicable norms for partial withdrawal may differ for every product. Please refer policy document for details.

When to avail maturity benefit?

When the policy term is complete, you can avail the maturity benefits.

For Non Pension Policies you can also transfer your maturity proceeds towards the initial premium of a new policy.

For Pension Policies you can also transfer 1/3rd of your vesting benefit amount towards the initial premium of a new policy.

Can I surrender my policy?

After you pay premiums for at least three consecutive years (for plans issued prior September 01, 2010) and five consecutive years (for plans issued on or after September 01, 2010), your policy acquires a surrender value and you can surrender the policy.

Term Plan and Health plan, cannot be surrendered. You can stop making premium payment in case you do not want to continue with the policy.

What are the requirements of payouts?

You may submit a Payout form(for Loan, Withdrawal and Maturity) or Policy Cancellation form (for Surrender) for availing payouts.

Please ensure that below requirements are met for availing payouts;

• Duly filled Payout/Cancellation form.

• Original policy document (except in case of Withdrawal).

• KYC (In case of any change in address).

• Self attested valid photo ID proof signed by authorized BSLI personnel.

• Original cancelled cheque with pre-printed name and account number or

• Bank passbook/statement with pre-printed name and account number duly attested by authorized BSLI personnel.

Note - 1: In case the payout request is submitted by any person other than the policy owner, the photo id proof of that person is also required.

Note - 2: Direct transfer/ RTGS not available for NRE accounts. If the customer needs to deposit the cheque into his NRE account then he should provide a letter from the bank / copy of bank statement to prove that the payment towards premiums have been done through a NRE account to enable us to issue a repatriation letter.

What is the difference between switch and redirection?

A switch will enable you to shift the existing units of your unit-linked policy into a new fund and will not change your future premium allocation. A premium redirection will enable you to change your allocation for all the future premiums of your policy. However, your existing units will not be shifted into a new fund.

To switch or redirect or both you may;

Update the fund details on our website using your CIP/TPIN

Switch form duly signed by the policy owner.

Call on the call centre to take the request for change of fund details.

How will the Net Asset Value (NAV) be calculated for my servicing requests?

The Net Asset Value (NAV) is applicable at the time of valuation/purchase. It is calculated as the value on the day you make a transaction request (provided it is a working day).

What is Top – Up premium? Can I make a top payment?

Top Up premium is the additional amount/s paid by you within a policy year over and above the annual policy premium. The Top Up premium can be paid along with the Top Up at any of our branches.

Please refer to your Policy document for details on charges/minimum and maximum amount of Top Ups.

Top up premium shall have a lock in period of three years (for plans issued prior September 01, 2010) and five years (for plans issued on or after September 01, 2010) from the date of payment of that top up premium.

Top ups are not allowed during the last three years (for plans issued prior September 01, 2010) and five years (for plans issued on or after September 01, 2010) of the policy contract.

What is Advance Premium? Can I claim tax benefit on advance premium?

Any advance premium which is received over and above the annual premium is termed as annual premium.

Advance premium will be invested in the funds only when the premium is due and at the then prevailing rates.

Tax benefit under section 80C under Income Tax Act 1961 will be applicable only in the year of premium payment.