Axis Max Life Insurance

Axis Max Life Insurance

Aapke Sachche Advisor.

Axis Max Life Insurance (formerly Max Life) is India's largest non-bank private-sector life insurer. It is a joint venture between Max Financial Services (80%) and Axis Bank (20%), with a 99.65% Claim Settlement Ratio and AUM of ~₹1,50,836 crore.

About Axis Max Life

Axis Max Life Insurance Company Limited was incorporated in 2000 and is a joint venture between Max Financial Services (80%) and Axis Bank (20%). The company was originally branded Max Life Insurance and was rebranded to Axis Max Life Insurance on 13 December 2024, following deeper integration with Axis Bank's bancassurance network. The underwriting entity, IRDAI licence and existing policies remained unchanged through the rebrand.

Axis Max Life is the largest non-bank private-sector life insurer in India. Claim Settlement Ratio is 99.65% — one of the highest in the industry. Total Death Benefit Paid stood at ₹1,242.15 crore in the latest published year. Solvency Ratio is around 1.9 (172% in some reports). Assets Under Management for FY 2023-24 were ~₹1,50,836 crore and Total Sum Assured was ~₹17,79,409 crore. The company has served 32 lakh+ customers since inception and operates from 269+ offices.

The product range covers term insurance (Smart Secure Plus and Smart Total Elite Protection are the flagship variants, with entry up to age 65 and maturity up to 85), ULIPs, guaranteed income plans (Smart Wealth Plan, Smart Wealth Advantage Guarantee, Capital Guarantee), child plans and retirement plans. Key features include a premium holiday option (up to 2 breaks per financial year), Special Exit Feature (zero-cost exit after defined milestones), Voluntary Top-Up with fresh underwriting, and nominee-choice payout in lump sum, monthly income or combination.

Through Policywings, you can buy or renew Axis Max Life products and compare them side by side against HDFC Life, Tata AIA, ICICI Prudential and SBI Life. Premium tax benefits are available up to ₹1,50,000 under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

Axis Max Life key numbers

Claim Settlement Ratio99.65%
Branches269+ offices
Founded2000
IRDAI Registration104

Axis Max Life at a glance

Company NameAxis Max Life Insurance Company Limited
Year Founded2000
Renamed13 December 2024 (from Max Life)
IRDAI Registration Number104
HeadquartersNew Delhi
OwnershipMax Financial Services 80% & Axis Bank 20%
IndustryLife Insurance (Private Sector)
StatusLargest non-bank private-sector life insurer in India
Claim Settlement Ratio99.65%
Customers Served32 lakh+ since inception
Total Death Benefit Paid₹1,242.15 crore
Assets Under Management (FY 23-24)~₹1,50,836 crore
Total Sum Assured (FY 23-24)~₹17,79,409 crore
Solvency Ratio~1.9 (172%)
Offices269+ across India
Customer Helpline1860 120 5577 (Mon-Sat, 9 AM-6 PM)
WhatsApp Support+91 74283 96005
NRI Helpline+91 11 71025900 / +91 11 61329950 (24/7)
Customer Emailservice.helpdesk@axismaxlife.com

Types of insurance plans from Axis Max Life

Here is the full product range you can buy or renew through Policywings.

Term Insurance

Term insurance from Axis Max Life is the cornerstone of household protection planning. The flagship plan is Smart Secure Plus — entry from 18 to 65, maturity up to 85, with a Premium Holiday Option, Voluntary Top-Up and Special Exit Feature that lets you exit at zero cost after defined policy term milestones.

Smart Total Elite Protection is the higher-cover variant for buyers needing larger sum assured at the same affordable premium structure. Both plans include a Nominee Choice Payout that lets your family receive the death benefit as a lump sum, monthly income or a combination — useful for ensuring ongoing income replacement rather than a single payout the family must manage.

Smart Secure PlusSmart Total Elite ProtectionReturn of Premium variant

Investment & ULIP Plans

ULIPs and investment-linked plans combine life insurance with market-linked wealth creation. Smart Wealth Plan and Smart Wealth Advantage Guarantee are the flagship variants, with Capital Guarantee providing a market-linked upside plus a guarantee floor.

These plans are appropriate for 10-year+ horizons and benefit from tax efficiency under Section 80C and 10(10D). The 5-year lock-in keeps you disciplined; meaningful returns typically emerge after a decade.

Smart Wealth PlanSmart Wealth Advantage GuaranteeCapital GuaranteeOnline Savings Plan

Guaranteed Income & Savings Plans

Guaranteed income and savings plans from Axis Max Life provide predictable returns and disciplined long-term saving. Use these for goal-based saving with a fixed timeline — children's higher education, milestone purchases or income replacement during a planned career break.

Maturity benefits are guaranteed at the time of policy purchase, so market volatility doesn't affect the outcome. For risk-averse buyers, this is often a better category than ULIPs for goals with rigid timelines.

Smart Wealth PlanGuaranteed Income PlansSmart Savings

Retirement & Pension Plans

Retirement and pension plans from Axis Max Life build a corpus during working years and pay regular post-retirement income. For salaried Indians without an employer pension, this is one of the most important plan categories to start early.

Annuity options include lifetime annuity, joint-life annuity for spouse continuation, and return-of-purchase-price variants. The earlier you start, the smaller the monthly premium needed for a given target income.

Guaranteed Lifetime Income PlanSaral PensionSmart Pension

Child Plans

Axis Max Life child plans are built around two outcomes: protect the parent's life, and ensure the funds for the child's education and milestones remain in place regardless of what happens to the parent.

If the parent dies during the term, premiums are typically waived and the policy continues to fund the child's goals at maturity. For families with young children, this is one of the highest-impact products available.

Shiksha Plus SuperFuture Genius Education PlanOnline Savings Plan

Benefits of choosing Axis Max Life

  • Claim Settlement Ratio of 99.65% — one of the highest in Indian life insurance.
  • Largest non-bank private-sector life insurer in India.
  • Smart Secure Plus offers Premium Holiday Option (up to 2 breaks per financial year).
  • Special Exit Feature with zero-cost exit after defined policy term milestones.
  • Voluntary Top-Up option for additional cover at discounted market rates.
  • Nominee Choice Payout: lump sum, monthly income, or combination.
  • Grace Period of 30 days yearly / 15 days monthly for premium payment.
  • Tax savings up to ₹1,50,000 under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act 1961.

Why choose Axis Max Life

  • 99.65% Claim Settlement Ratio (one of the highest in the industry).
  • ₹1,242 crore in Total Death Benefit Paid demonstrates settlement commitment.
  • Largest non-bank private-sector life insurer in India.
  • 32 lakh+ customers served since inception.
  • Strong solvency and AUM signal financial reliability.

Awards & recognition

Digital Enterprise of The Year — BFSI (ET CIO Awards 2024)#2 in India's Top Insurers — Best Customer Experience (CuES Report)ICAI Excellence in Financial Reporting 2023Gold — Customer Engagement 2024 (ACEF Global)Great Place to Work Award 2024Industry Leadership — Best Customer Experience (5th ET NOW Summit)Gold — 'Sharma Ji Ka Beta' Social Media Campaign (ET Shark 2024)Bronze — Paid Search Marketing (The Abbys 2024)Recognised amongst India's Most Sustainable Companies (3rd Times Now Global Summit)

Axis Max Life insurance products

How to file a Axis Max Life claim

Policywings handles the paperwork and follow-up. Here is what happens step by step:

  1. 1

    Notify Axis Max Life of the policyholder's death or policy maturity via 1860 120 5577 or your Policywings advisor.

  2. 2

    Submit the policy number, original death certificate and nominee identity proof.

  3. 3

    Attach FIR / post-mortem report for accidental death claims and medical records where applicable.

  4. 4

    Claim is reviewed by the company team. Settlement is typically within 24 hours for non-investigated claims with complete documents.

  5. 5

    Policywings tracks the file and follows up with the claims desk on your behalf.

  6. 6

    Approved claims are disbursed to the nominee. If no nominee is designated, payout goes to the legal heir with appropriate documentation.

Axis Max Life contact details

Axis Max Life — Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions our customers ask most often before they buy or renew a Axis Max Life policy.

Axis Max Life offers a grace period of 30 days from the premium due date for yearly mode and 15 days for monthly mode. The policy stays in force during the grace period.

Other insurance companies you may consider

More on Life Insurance

Hand-picked reads on life insurance to help you decide with confidence.

Life Insurance in India: Types, Benefits and Why You Need ItLife Insurance

Life Insurance in India: Types, Benefits and Why You Need It

Introduction You can’t predict life but it’s always possible to secure the financial future of your family with life insurance. It is a very reliable financial protection that supports your loved ones in case something unexpected happens to you. Many people delay buying it when it should be a priority. They mistake it for being complicated, expensive or unnecessary (when young). From a practical standpoint, the right life insurance term plan should ideally be chosen early. This will be one of the most sensible financial decisions you make. Also, now, you can have all the convenience to buy insurance online. Here, we will discuss all the important details around it so that you know why it matters and what you must do. What Is Life Insurance? In simple terms, it is a deal between you and an insurance company. You will pay a regular premium for which the insurer pays a fixed amount to your nominee in case of your unfortunate death during the term of the policy. In fact, some policies even offer benefits to you if you survive the policy period. But basically, the purpose of life insurance is to protect your dependents from facing financial hardship after you. It will be correct to say that not just money, life insurance also protects people. Why Buy Life Insurance? If you take a look at the financial structure in India, you will notice that there are heavy responsibilities on individuals. In most of the households, everything depends on one or two earning members. In case there is a sudden loss of income, it can be such a challenge to handle everything whether it’s daily expenses or long-term goals. This is how life insurance helps: It replaces lost income for the family Settles loans like home or personal loans Funds education and marriage of children Dependents don’t have to exhaust their savings Provides peace of mind during uncertainties Types of Life Insurance in India We have life insurance available in different forms so that people can pick the most suitable as per their stage of life, goals and responsibilities. While each one serves a different purpose, ultimately, they all are designed to offer financial protection. Let’s learn about the types of life insurance plans: Term Life Insurance A life insurance term plan offers complete protection for a specific period like 20 or maybe 30 years. Usually, this is the first and vital life insurance policy that people buy. Nominee gets a lump sum if the policyholder passes away during the policy term Policyholders won’t get any maturity benefit if they survive This is the most affordable way to obtain a high life cover Term Insurance with Return of Premium (TROP) This is for those who want protection along with a way to create savings. Provides life cover throughout your policy term Returns all the premiums you have paid if you survive the term Because you get it all back, premiums are higher than regular term plans Unit Linked Insurance Plan (ULIP) This plan combines life insurance with market-linked investments for greater benefits. Great for long-term financial goals and investors that have a moderate risk taking capacity. A portion of the premium goes for life cover The rest of the amount is invested in equity or debt funds The returns you get depend on market performance Endowment Plan It offers both insurance and savings and is are preferred by those who want guaranteed benefits The plan pays the sum assured on death or maturity Disciplined savings are encouraged Returns are stable but generally lower Money Back Policy These plans provide regular payments during the term and are ideal for those who need funds at different stages of life. You get regular survival benefits at fixed intervals You keep getting life cover throughout the term Helps in meeting planned expenses Whole Life Insurance This offers coverage for almost the entire lifetime and is best for people who want lifelong financial protection. Usually provides coverage up to 99 or 100 years of age Nominees get guaranteed payout The premiums are higher compared to term plans Child Insurance Plan This helps you secure your child’s future. It makes sure that their goals stay protected even in difficult times. Helps in supporting education and important milestones Premium is waived off if the parent passes away The structure is mostly as that of an endowment or ULIP Retirement or Pension Plans They focus on offering financial stability after retirement and help maintain monetary independence in the golden years. Helps in building a nice retirement fund You receive regular income after retirement There may also be annuity or deferred payout options Group Life Insurance Plan These plans are usually offered by employers and are very useful. However, they should not be a replacement for individual life insurance. Covers all the employees under a single policy Basic life cover is provided at low cost Coverage usually ends with the employment Key Benefits of Having Life Insurance Besides providing financial support after death, life insurance offers many other major benefits like: Dependents get financial security Tax benefits under existing laws Policyholders get peace of mind for the Support is provided during essential life milestones Adequate coverage provides protection against inflation With a well-chosen policy, you can make sure that the lifestyle of your family remains stable even in when you are no longer there. How Much Life Insurance Coverage Do You Need? Coverage is not a random estimate. It has to be according to your financial responsibilities. Here’s a simple approach: Yearly income × 10 to 15 Also add in outstanding loans Future goals like education and marriage Subtract your existing savings This will give you a good a realistic and effective cover amount that you must consider. Why Buying Life Insurance Early is a Good Idea Many people assume that it’s too early to buy life insurance and often delay it. However, postponing it often leads to higher premiums and you have just limited choices

Written bySagar NarangPublished onDecember 18, 2025
Life Insurance Retirement Plans (LIRP): A Smart Way to Grow WealthLife Insurance

Life Insurance Retirement Plans (LIRP): A Smart Way to Grow Wealth

Introduction After years of working so hard and saving & planning for everyone else, your retirement years have to be just about you, no? It’s finally time to live on your own terms. However, the question is whether your savings alone would be enough to help keep up with inflation or emergencies. Now, imagine getting the best of life insurance protection and long-term investment growth together. This is possible with Life Insurance Retirement Plans (LIRPs). This retirement insurance plan ensures your loved ones are protected even after you and your money keep growing for the years ahead. Whether you’re just starting your financial journey or you’re close to your retirement, an LIRP offers a structured and tax-efficient way to create financial freedom for the years when you should be relaxing. Read on to know how it works! What is a Life Insurance Retirement Plan (LIRP)? It’s an efficient retirement insurance plan that provides both life coverage and savings. In this, you are required to pay regular premiums. A part of it goes toward your life cover and the remaining gets invested to build more money over time. All this accumulated amount can be later used as your regular income during retirement. Basically, an insurance for retirement is combined with a financial plan that continues to safely grow your wealth. How Does a LIRP Work? LIRP is a flexible and long-term tool for dual benefits. Here’s how this brilliant retirement insurance plan functions: Payment of Premium: You pay a fixed monthly or annual amount. Dual Purpose: The insurance company gives part of the premium to life insurance and invests the remainder. Cash Value Growth: The investment part of your plan grows into cash value over time and it’s also tax-free for as long as it stays invested. Withdraw or Borrow: Once enough savings have grown, you can withdraw or borrow from this amount to fund your retirement years. Death Benefit: In case something unfortunate happens to you, your family still receives a death benefit. Benefits of a Life Insurance Retirement Plan When it comes to offering advantages, the retirement insurance plan goes beyond a traditional life insurance policy. Here’s how: Double Benefit of Protection + Savings It offers life cover for your loved ones and a steadily growing savings fund for you. Ultimately, there will be financial relief during and after your working years. Tax-Deferred Growth The invested amount continues to grow without any immediate tax deductions. You will only be charged taxes when you withdraw. Hence, your investment compounds efficiently. Withdrawal Flexibility The regular pension schemes put a limit on when and how much you can withdraw. But with insurance for retirement, you have more control. You can always access your funds when needed. Guaranteed Returns with Low Risk LIRPs are great for those who prefer stability over risk. They offer predictable returns and keep your capital protected. This is a very reassuring feature of retirement insurance for seniors. Lifetime Coverage You continue to enjoy life cover benefits even after getting retired. If you see it, you secure financial support for your family while your savings also continue to grow. Why LIRP is Becoming Popular in India Today, both life expectancy and healthcare costs are rising and this is pushing people to plan ahead. When you have a retirement insurance plan, it creates a financial shield for you that protects you from the stress of market fluctuations. A lot of people in India are opting for these plans because: They come with the dual advantage of protection and wealth creation. The payout amount is flexible and can be used for both healthcare purposes and regular living expenses. The attraction of the plan increases even more with the tax benefits under Sec 80C and 10(10D). In a nutshell, a LIRP assures that you have sufficient savings for yourself, which has always been a matter of concern among retirees. LIRP vs. Traditional Retirement Plans While both options help you prepare for retirement, they don’t work the same way. Here’s a quick comparison that highlights how LIRPs are different from traditional plans: Feature Life Insurance Retirement Plan (LIRP) Traditional Pension/Retirement Plan Protection Double power of life cover + savings The usual focus is only investment Returns Depending on the plan, it could be market-linked or fixed Fixed and often lower Tax Benefits You get the advantage on both premiums and maturity Limited tax benefits Flexibility You are allowed to make partial withdrawals or take loans Limited access to the funds Ideal For Those who want long-term growth and safety Individuals who don’t prefer risk Who Should Consider a LIRP? These individuals can trust the Life Insurance Retirement Plan and go for it: Working professionals: Those who want to start their savings journey early. Business owners: The ones who prefer flexible investment options. Retirees or near-retirees: People who seek low-risk income along with life cover benefits. Parents or couples: LRIP is very useful for planning long-term family security. In fact, it’s also an excellent choice for those who want retirement insurance for seniors. Why? Because the returns are constant and risk exposure is minimal. Important Things to Do Before Buying Before you decide to go on with a retirement insurance plan, do consider these points: Carefully go through the terms of the policy, charges involved and the lock-in period. Compare the offerings of different insurers. Also pay special attention to their claim settlement ratios. Calculate how long you can keep your money invested to make the most out of the plan. Check if your preferred policy will help you with your future financial goals. It’s totally fine if you have a little extra time before selecting a plan. At least there won’t be any confusion later and you’ll be covered for life. Conclusion A Life Insurance Retirement Plan (LIRP) is a very smart way to build financial independence. It actually keeps you secure through every stage of life. Whether you’re starting early in your career or planning closer to retirement,

Written bySagar NarangPublished onNovember 11, 2025

Explore: Investment & Planning

Broaden your view with a quick read on investment & planning.

Which is Better: Term Insurance or Traditional Life Insurance?Term Insurance

Which is Better: Term Insurance or Traditional Life Insurance?

Introduction Life insurance is hands down one of the smartest steps you can take to secure your family’s financial future. However, the one big question is whether to go for a life insurance term plan or choose from traditional life insurance plans (endowment or whole life policies). People usually find them similar since they’re both part of life insurance but they really work very differently. While one plan is all about providing protection, the other combines double benefits of insurance and savings. For most of us, i could be really confusing to pick between both the options. So let’s make it simple for you to understand and decide. What is a Term Insurance Plan? A life insurance term plan is the most straightforward form of insurance out there. You just need to pay regular premiums and if something happens to you during the policy term, the insurance company will give your family a fixed sum assured. The key points about term plans are: Premiums are low but coverage is high. There’s no maturity benefit. Basically, if you survive the policy period, you don’t get any money back unless you have signed up for the “return of premium” plan. Ideal for those who want maximum financial protection but can’t pay a lot. For example, you may be just but with a life insurance term plan you already have coverage worth ₹1 crore for just ₹10,000 per year. Honestly, this makes your family’s lifelong security cheaper than a Netflix subscription. What is Traditional Life Insurance? Traditional life insurance plans offer protection and savings both. Under plans like endowment or whole life policies, you pay regular premiums. In return, along with life cover, some part of your money also gets invested or saved. As the term ends, you or your family receives a maturity benefit. Important points about traditional plans: The policyholders get both insurance cover and savings/investment returns. For the same amount of coverage, premiums are higher compared to term plans. These plans are highly preferred by those who seek sure-shot returns along with insurance. Now for getting ₹1 crore coverage in a traditional plan, you might pay ₹1,00,000 yearly or even more, which is much higher than a life insurance term plan. Quick Comparison Between Term Insurance and Traditional Life Insurance Feature Life Insurance Term Plan Traditional Life Insurance Plans Coverage Low premium but high cover Lower cover but high premium Premium Typically affordable (₹10k–15k for ₹1 crore) It’s expensive (₹1 lakh+ for ₹1 crore) Savings/Investment Only protection and no returns Insurance with savings both Maturity Benefit None. Though you might get with return of premium plan Yes, you get maturity value or bonuses Flexibility Simple and easy to understand More complex and less flexible Best For People who seek maximum security for their family People who prefer cover + savings both Advantages of Term Plans High Coverage at Low Cost: For a small and affordable premium amount you get a large cover which is perfect if you want to protect your family’s lifestyle. Easy to Understand: There are no hidden conditions or difficult investment terms. Just a simple insurance. Flexibility: To add more protection, you can also buy riders like critical illness cover or accidental death benefit. Peace of Mind: It feels great to know that your family is financially secure even if you’re not around. Limitations of Term Plans You do not get anything (no returns) if you survive the term. You need to invest separately to build your wealth. Advantages of Traditional Life Insurance Insurance + Savings: You get the best of both worlds- protection and future savings. Guaranteed Returns: Plans like endowment and whole life policies are known to provide assured maturity benefits. Good for Conservative Investors: Traditional life insurance plans are a safe choice compared to the risky market-linked products. Limitations of Traditional Life Insurance Very high premiums for providing such low coverage. Returns are not that great compared to other investment options available like mutual funds or PPF. Often, there are tricky terms, conditions and bonus rules that may just confuse the buyers. But Which is Better for You? Ok, so the answer mainly depends on your goals. You must choose a life insurance term plan if: You seek maximum financial protection for your loved ones. You are young and looking for high coverage but at a low cost. You don’t want to combine insurance and investment. You want to invest your money separately like in mutual funds, stocks or maybe FDs. You must choose traditional life insurance plans if: You want a safe savings option with built in insurance. You want to receive guaranteed maturity benefits. You don’t want to separately manage investments. You don’t mind lower coverage but want steady returns. Let’s take an example of two people. Person A buys a life insurance term plan for ₹1 crore. He pays ₹12,000 premium per year and invests the rest of his money (₹88,000) in other avenues (mutual funds and FDs). 20 years later, besides having full protection, he has also built wealth from investments. Person B buys a traditional life insurance plan with ₹1 crore coverage where he gives a premium of ₹1 lakh annually. While he does get insurance and guaranteed returns at maturity, he doesn’t have the flexibility to invest his funds separately. At the end of 20 years, Person A has both a high cover and a considerable investment. However, person B does have cover but only a smaller fixed maturity benefit. Common Misconceptions People Have “Term plans are a waste because you don’t get money back.” Well, you can think of it like car insurance. Here, you pay to get peace of mind. If nothing happens, it’s already good news! “Traditional plans always give the best returns.” Not always. While returns are safe but they are also lower compared to other investment tools. “I should only choose one.” Actually, you can also combine both. Get a term plan for protection and maybe

Written bySagar NarangPublished onNovember 13, 2025