ULIPULIP Plans Explained: Benefits, Charges, Returns & ULIP vs Mutual Fund Comparison
Understand ULIP plans in India - how they work, charges, returns, tax benefits, and an honest comparison with mutual funds. Find out if ULIPs are right for you.

Hum Hain Na, Khayaal Rakhne Ke Liye.
ICICI Prudential Life Insurance is a joint venture between ICICI Bank Limited and Prudential Corporation Holdings Limited (UK). It was the first Indian life insurer to list on domestic stock exchanges (2016) and manages AUM of ~₹2,46,442 crore with a Claim Settlement Ratio of 99.20%.
ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited was incorporated in 2000 and started operations in 2001. It is a joint venture between ICICI Bank Limited and Prudential Corporation Holdings Limited of the United Kingdom. In September 2016 it became the first life insurance company in India to be listed on the domestic stock exchanges — a milestone that marked the maturity of India's private life insurance industry.
The numbers are large. Claim Settlement Ratio is 99.20% (FY 2022-23) — practically every valid claim paid. Solvency Ratio is 2.09% (well above the regulator floor). The company manages Assets Under Management of approximately ₹2,46,442 crore, Sum Assured in Force of around ₹14,54,072 crore, and settled ₹1,950 crore in claims during FY 2022-23 across 11,212 death-benefit policies. ICICI Prudential operates from 514 branches across India.
The product range covers term insurance (iProtect Smart is the flagship online term plan), ULIPs, guaranteed return plans (Capital Guarantee is the leading variant), savings and endowment plans (Signature is the flagship), retirement and pension plans (Guaranteed Income For Tomorrow — Pro), child plans, and the standardised Saral Jeevan Bima cover. Riders available include Terminal Illness (free), Waiver of Premium (free), Accident Death Benefit, and Critical Illness covering 34+ illnesses.
Through Policywings, you can buy or renew any ICICI Prudential product and compare it head-to-head against HDFC Life, Tata AIA, Axis Max Life and SBI Life. ICICI Prudential is distinct from ICICI Lombard General Insurance — both are ICICI group companies but operate as separate IRDAI-licensed entities with different boards.
| Company Name | ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited |
|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2000 (ops from 2001) |
| IRDAI Registration Number | 105 |
| Headquarters | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Ownership | JV — ICICI Bank & Prudential Corporation Holdings (UK) |
| Industry | Life Insurance (Private Sector) |
| Claim Settlement Ratio (FY 22-23) | 99.20% |
| Branches | 514 across India |
| Employees | ~20,000 |
| Death Benefit Paid (FY 22-23) | ₹1,023.64 crore across 11,212 policies |
| Amount Settled (FY 22-23) | ₹1,950 crore |
| Sum Assured in Force | ~₹14,54,072 crore |
| Assets Under Management | ~₹2,46,442 crore |
| Solvency Ratio | 2.09% |
| Stock Listing | BSE & NSE — first Indian life insurer to list (Sep 2016) |
| Customer Helpline | 1860 266 7766 |
| International Customer Helpline | +91 80693 85555 |
| Customer Email | lifeline@iciciprulife.com |
Here is the full product range you can buy or renew through Policywings.
ICICI Prudential's term insurance is the simplest and usually the most important product in a household's protection plan. Cover runs for a fixed term — typically until age 85 or 99 — and pays the nominee a lump sum if the policyholder dies during the term.
The flagship plan is iProtect Smart. Entry age is 18 to 60. Premium options include Single Pay, Regular Pay and Limited Pay. Add the free Terminal Illness and Waiver of Premium riders and a paid Accidental Death Benefit / Critical Illness rider to layer protection. For most working-age adults, this is the single highest-impact insurance decision they make.
ULIPs combine insurance and market-linked investment. Part of the premium pays for life cover; the rest is invested in equity, debt or balanced funds you choose. You can switch funds during the policy term as your risk appetite or markets change.
ICICI Prudential's ULIP family is one of the most extensive in India. Lock-in is 5 years; the meaningful returns usually surface after a decade or more. ULIPs also offer tax efficiency on long-term wealth creation under Section 80C and Section 10(10D).
Guaranteed return plans assure policyholders a predetermined return on investment alongside a Sum Assured and bonuses, regardless of market conditions. The flagship plan is Capital Guarantee — entry age 18 to 70, maturity up to age 80, with 5/10-year or full-term payment options.
Use this category for goal-based saving where the timeline is fixed — children's higher education ten years out, a milestone wedding, or any other fixed-date financial goal. Returns are locked in at the time of purchase, which removes market-timing risk.
Savings and endowment plans combine life cover with a savings component. Premium splits between insurance and an investment pool that generates returns. Maturity benefits accrue if the policyholder survives the term.
Signature is the flagship — entry from 0 to 60 years, maturity at 75 or 99 years, available in Limited Pay and Regular Pay. Useful for disciplined long-term savings with a guarantee floor in place.
Retirement and pension plans provide financial stability during your retirement years through regular income or lump-sum payouts post-retirement. ICICI Prudential's flagship is Guaranteed Income For Tomorrow — Pro, with entry between ages 18 and 60 and maturity at 60 or 71, payable as one-time or in 5, 6, 7 or 10-year tranches.
For Indian salaried workers without an employer pension, this is one of the most important categories. The earlier you start, the smaller the monthly premium needed to reach a target post-retirement income.
ICICI Prudential child plans are designed specifically for a child's financial protection and future milestone funding — education and marriage being the most common targets. If the parent dies during the term, future premiums are typically waived and the plan continues to fund the child's goals.
For parents with young children, the Waiver of Premium feature is the single most important attribute — it ensures the financial plan does not collapse if the earning parent is unavailable to keep paying for it.
Policywings handles the paperwork and follow-up. Here is what happens step by step:
Inform ICICI Prudential of the policyholder's death immediately via 1860 266 7766 or your Policywings advisor.
Submit the policy number, original death certificate and a valid government ID of the nominee.
Provide FIR / post-mortem report for accidental death claims, along with medical records where applicable.
Attach KYC documents and a cancelled cheque of the nominee for direct credit.
Policywings tracks pending documents and follows up with the ICICI Prudential claims desk on your behalf.
On approval, the claim is credited to the nominee's bank account. If no nominee is designated, the legal successor receives the payout with appropriate documentation.
Customer Helpline
1860-266-7766
lifeline@iciciprulife.com
Headquarters
Mumbai, Maharashtra
Official Website
https://www.iciciprulife.com
Quick answers to the questions our customers ask most often before they buy or renew a ICICI Prudential policy.
ICICI Prudential has a wide range of plans across budgets, a high Claim Settlement Ratio of 99.20%, strong customer service with flexible payout options, and affordable premiums on its term and savings range.
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Life InsuranceEven after being a highly important financial tool, there is still a lot of confusion, assumptions, outdated advice and second-hand opinions around life insurance. As a result, many people delay buying a policy. Not because they don’t need it, but because there are so many myths around how life insurance actually works. There may also end up being underinsured or making poor choice of policy. Let’s take up the most common misconceptions and clear the air around them. Myth 1: Life Insurance Is Needed Only After a Certain Age One of the biggest misunderstandings is that you can wait till your later years to think about life insurance. Whereas, in reality: You pay lower premiums when you start early Health checks are fewer and coverage is easier to get Securing long-term protection becomes more affordable When you start early, you can lock in these benefits at a much lower cost. Myth 2: Term Insurance and Life Insurance Are the Same There are so many people who assume that all life insurance policies work just the same. But the truth is: Life insurance can consist of both savings or investment benefits A life insurance term plan is entirely focused on providing financial protection With term insurance, you can get higher coverage at lower premiums. Other life insurance plans bring together protection and savings. Remember this difference so you have realistic expectations in your head. Myth 3: Only Those Who Have Dependents Need Life Insurance Even if there is nobody who depends on your income at present, life insurance can still be very useful. It can help in covering: Outstanding loans (like home loans) Long-term financial responsibilities Future family planning An early purchase also helps in securing better terms for the future. Myth 4: Term Insurance Gives “Nothing Back” It is commonly believed that term insurance is a waste of money because the policyholders don’t get any maturity benefits. This is what happens in actual scenario: Term insurance is designed for protection only It provides high coverage at just minimal cost The benefit is in financial security and not any returns This is why a life insurance term plan is one of the most cost-effective ways in which you can protect your family. Myth 5: Life Insurance Is Too Expensive Many people miscalculate the cost of life insurance as too high. For them, it could be really surprising to know that: Premiums for term insurance can be very affordable Coverage is less costly when purchased early Online plans reduce additional charges It’s good to compare options of insurance on PolicyWings before deciding because then you can find real value for the price. Myth 6: Buying Insurance Online Is Risky Some people still hesitate to buy insurance online because they think it as it’s unsafe or just complicated. But, Online platforms offer full transparency Policies come directly from insurance providers Both documentation and policy tracking are very easy With trusted platforms like insurance on PolicyWings, you can get a clearer process and upfront details of features, premiums and benefits of the plans. Myth 7: Employer-Provided Life Insurance Would Be Enough Often, employees assume that workplace insurance will provide sufficient coverage. It’s not the case because: Employer-provided cover usually ends with the job Coverage amounts are usually limited only You don’t control the features of the policy By getting personal life insurance, you ensure continuity and adequate protection even if the career changes. Myth 8: Claims Are Always Difficult to Settle The fear that their claim might get rejected also discourages so many from buying insurance. they don’t know that: When details are disclosed honestly, claims are always smoother If all documentation is provided, it really helps The claim processes of reputed insurance providers are streamlined Just be thorough with the T&C of the policy and maintain transparency to reduce complications. Myth 9: Life Insurance Is About Death Benefits Only While protection is at the core of it, many life insurance policies also support: Long-term financial planning Savings according to your goals Planned payouts The key is to select the right plan that aligns with your objective and not just assumptions. Why is it Important to Clear These Myths When you believe these myths over facts, it can often lead to: Delayed financial planning Getting insufficient coverage Costly decisions in the later years of life Life insurance will work best for you when it is properly understood and not rushed or avoided. Only when you understand your needs and multiple compare plans you can choose the right policy. There are trusted platforms that clearly explain policy features and help you buy insurance online. Further, exploring insurance on PolicyWings can be very helpful. Conclusion All these myths we discussed around life insurance usually come from a lack of clarity. Looking for a reliable life insurance term plan or a policy that can also give savings benefits? It has to be in line with your financial goals and responsibilities. Learn, don’t assume. For help in choosing the best protection for you, refer to experts like PolicyWings.
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