IC-38 Life Insurance — Important MCQs (Part 2)
Questions 51–100 — Click Show Answer for the correct option and brief explanation.
51Which of these is a non-participating life insurance policy?
- A.Participating endowment
- B.With-profits whole life
- C.Non-participating term assurance
- D.Money-back participating plan
Answer: C
Non-participating contracts do not receive bonuses from insurer surplus.
52What is a 'money-back' policy?
- A.Policy that pays periodic survival benefits and balance at maturity
- B.Term plan with no maturity
- C.ULIP only
- D.Group policy
Answer: A
Useful for liquidity; total benefits may be lower than equivalent pure endowment sums.
53Which is true about assignment of life policy?
- A.Nomination transfers policy ownership
- B.Assignment transfers rights/ownership to another person
- C.Assignment cancels the policy
- D.Assignment is illegal
Answer: B
Commonly used as collateral for loans.
54Which is NOT typically a charge in ULIP?
- A.Fund management charge
- B.Mortality charge
- C.Commission charge to nominee
- D.Policy administration charge
Answer: C
ULIP charges include mortality, fund management, admin and others; commissions to agents are separate.
55What does 'vesting' of bonuses mean?
- A.Declaration of bonuses annually
- B.Bonuses becoming part of guaranteed benefits (vested) after declaration
- C.Revoking bonuses
- D.None of the above
Answer: B
Distinguishes future contingent surplus from already vested additions.
56Which of the following actions can an insurer take during underwriting?
- A.Refuse cover
- B.Load premium
- C.Accept with special terms
- D.All of the above
Answer: D
Underwriting seeks to price and control risk appropriately.
57What is 'grace period' typically used for?
- A.Extra time to pay overdue premium without policy lapsing
- B.Time to file claim
- C.Period to change nominee
- D.Time to surrender policy
Answer: A
Commonly 30 days for monthly premiums; specifics in policy.
58Which is true about 'paid-up' status?
- A.Policy benefits increase
- B.Sum assured reduces proportionally after premiums stop but policy continues
- C.Policy lapses immediately
- D.Nomination is cancelled
Answer: B
Paid-up rules depend on policy type and number of premiums paid.
59Which tax benefit relates to life insurance premium paid?
- A.Section 80C
- B.Section 115BB
- C.Section 194A
- D.Section 10(10D)
Answer: A
Maturity proceeds may be exempt under section 10(10D) if conditions met.
60What is 'surrender value' composed of?
- A.Guaranteed surrender value + vested bonuses (if any)
- B.Only premiums paid
- C.Only future bonuses
- D.Only loan outstanding
Answer: A
Applies when policy voluntarily terminated after minimum premium-paying years.
61Which is a typical exclusion in life insurance?
- A.Death due to suicide within specified initial period
- B.Death due to natural causes after 10 years
- C.Maturity payment
- D.Bonus declaration
Answer: A
Exact clause depends on product wording and regulation.
62What is 'revival' of a lapsed policy?
- A.Renewing a policy at expiry automatically
- B.Restoring cover by paying overdue premiums and meeting insurer conditions
- C.Converting to another insurer
- D.Stopping future premiums
Answer: B
Procedure/period specified in policy and regulator guidelines.
63Which one describes 'rider' in life insurance?
- A.Core policy benefit
- B.Optional add-on benefit purchased for extra premium
- C.Administrative fee
- D.Tax deduction
Answer: B
Riders should be read carefully for exclusions and limits.
64What is the effect of 'loan against policy' on death benefit?
- A.No effect
- B.Death benefit reduced by outstanding loan and interest
- C.Loan cancels policy
- D.Nominee receives loan amount separately
Answer: B
Borrowing facility subject to limits and interest as per policy terms.
65Which is a feature of unit-linked insurance plans (ULIPs)?
- A.Guaranteed returns
- B.Investment linked to funds and market performance
- C.No mortality charge
- D.Not an insurance product
Answer: B
Policyholder bears market risk; charges can affect returns.
66What is 'nomination' primarily intended for?
- A.Assigning ownership rights
- B.Designating person to receive benefits on death
- C.Changing policy terms
- D.Tax planning
Answer: B
Nominee receives proceeds but legal rights can involve heirs under law.
67Which of these is a 'benefit illustration' in life insurance?
- A.Document showing historical returns only
- B.Projection of possible future benefits under different scenarios
- C.Premium receipt
- D.Claim form
Answer: B
Not a guaranteed promise, but an explanatory projection required by regulators for transparency.
68Which is true about 'contestability period'?
- A.Insurer can contest claims indefinitely
- B.Initial period (e.g., 2 years) during which insurer may investigate misstatements
- C.Related to surrender only
- D.Applies only to group policies
Answer: B
After contestability ends, insurer typically cannot reject claims for misstatements except in cases of proven fraud.
69What is 'single premium' life policy?
- A.Policy with one-time lump sum premium payment
- B.Monthly premium plan
- C.Policy without sum assured
- D.Group policy
Answer: A
Suitable for investors wanting to fund a policy upfront.
70Which document proves policyholder’s ownership and terms?
- A.Proposal form only
- B.Policy document (policy bond)
- C.Premium receipt only
- D.Agent’s business card
Answer: B
Always retain policy documents and statements for reference and claims.
71Which is true about 'group life insurance'?
- A.Issued to individuals only
- B.Issued to a group under a master policy (e.g., employer and employees)
- C.Never provides death benefit
- D.Always non-insurance
Answer: B
Administration differs from individual policies; portability limited.
72What is 'terminal bonus' in participating policies?
- A.Periodic interim bonus
- B.One-time addition payable at maturity or claim
- C.Penalty for late premium
- D.Nomination fee
Answer: B
It is in addition to reversionary bonuses where declared by insurer.
73Which is a key duty of an insurance agent?
- A.Misrepresent product features
- B.Advise and sell suitable products while disclosing material facts
- C.Guarantee investment returns
- D.Withhold policy documents
Answer: B
Regulatory code prescribes agent behavior and disclosures.
74What is 'reversionary bonus'?
- A.Interim loan
- B.Annual bonus added to sum assured in participating policies
- C.Penalty for surrender
- D.Claim rejection
Answer: B
They increase the benefit payable at maturity or death depending on vesting.
75Which is an example of exclusion commonly found in life policies?
- A.Death from specified hazardous activities unless disclosed and accepted
- B.Payment of maturity
- C.Nomination acceptance
- D.Policy issue
Answer: A
Disclosure is critical; surcharges or exclusions may apply for risky occupations/hobbies.
76Which of the following increases life insurance premium?
- A.Younger age
- B.
- C.Shorter term
- D.Lower coverage
Answer: B
Underwriting assesses multiple risk factors when pricing premium.
77What is 'policyholder's equity of surrender'?
- A.Right to demand company profits
- B.Amount policyholder receives if policy surrendered after minimum period
- C.Loan offered by insurer
- D.Nominee entitlement
Answer: B
May be lower in early years due to surrender penalty and acquisition costs.
78Which is NOT correct about 'free look period'?
- A.Allows cancellation after issuance
- B.Applies only when policy delivered to insured
- C.No refund allowed at all
- D.Insurer may deduct stamp duty/expenses from refund
Answer: C
Regulators prescribe minimum free look durations and refund rules.
79Which is true about 'bonus reversionary'?
- A.Paid only on lapse
- B.Declared periodically and added to policy benefits
- C.Only for ULIPs
- D.Equivalent to surrender value
Answer: B
They increase guaranteed benefits in participating plans.
80Which describes 'insurable interest' at the time of policy inception?
- A.It is not required
- B.Proposer must have financial or emotional interest subject to loss on death of insured
- C.Only insurer needs interest
- D.Nominee must have insurable interest
Answer: B
Prevents wagering contracts and protects insurer from moral hazard.
81What is 'sum assured' related to in a policy?
- A.Total premiums paid
- B.Amount guaranteed to be paid on claim or maturity (as per contract)
- C.Tax liability
- D.Policy term
Answer: B
May be enhanced by bonuses in participating policies.
82Which is true about 'policy revival' documentation?
- A.No documents required
- B.May require proof of insurability/medical evidence depending on period lapsed
- C.Only nomination proof required
- D.Only agent signature required
Answer: B
Insurer policies differ; check revival conditions in policy contract.
83What does 'IRDAI' primarily ensure?
- A.Regulation and promotion of insurance business and protection of policyholders
- B.Banking regulation
- C.Stock market supervision
- D.Currency issuance
Answer: A
IRDAI also prescribes consumer protection norms and agent qualifications.
84Which is correct about 'claim intimation'?
- A.Not required
- B.Must be given promptly to insurer as per policy to start settlement process
- C.Only needed after 1 year
- D.Only for group policies
Answer: B
Notification procedures and documentation listed in policy must be followed.
85Which is a reason for claim rejection during contestability?
- A.Non-disclosure of material fact at proposal
- B.Nominee change
- C.Policy surrender
- D.Payment of premium
Answer: A
Insurer investigates proposals and may decline if material facts withheld.
86Which is true about 'policy renewal'?
- A.Applies only to single premium policies
- B.Refers to paying next premium to keep policy in force for another term
- C.Always automatic without payment
- D.Never possible
Answer: B
Some products have limited renewal options; premium schedule defined in policy.
87What is 'policy administration charge'?
- A.Charge for managing and administering the policy by insurer
- B.Penalty fee only
- C.Tax collected by government
- D.Claim settlement fee
Answer: A
In ULIPs, admin charges reduce fund value; in traditional plans they may be part of premium structure.
88Which of these is included in 'death benefit'?
- A.Sum assured only
- B.Sum assured plus vested bonuses and any applicable riders
- C.Only surrender value
- D.Only loan amount
Answer: B
Exact inclusions depend on policy terms and rider definitions.
89Which is the main purpose of 'risk classification' by insurers?
- A.To group policies by premium only
- B.To assess and price different levels of risk fairly
- C.To deny all risky applicants
- D.To increase policy term
Answer: B
Allows sustainable pricing across risk pools.
90Which best describes 'mortality table'?
- A.Table of premium rates only
- B.Statistical table showing probability of death at each age used for pricing
- C.List of insured persons
- D.Claim form index
Answer: B
Insurers use updated mortality tables to reflect changing life expectancy.
91Which is an advantage of term insurance?
- A.Low premiums for high cover during term
- B.Guaranteed maturity amount
- C.Bonuses
- D.Loan facility always high
Answer: A
Best for income replacement; no maturity in typical term plans.
92What is 'acquisition cost' in insurance context?
- A.Cost to insurer for issuing and acquiring the policy (commissions, admin)
- B.Claim payment only
- C.Tax paid by policyholder
- D.Premium refund
Answer: A
These costs often result in lower early surrender values.
93Which is true about 'grace period' and death during that period?
- A.Insurer automatically rejects claim
- B.Insurer may settle claim after deducting overdue premium
- C.Policy is void
- D.Nothing happens
Answer: B
This protects policyholder family despite delayed premium payment.
94What is the main aim of a 'surrender value' regulation?
- A.To deny policyholders any return
- B.To ensure fair compensation to policyholders on voluntary termination after minimum years
- C.To increase premiums
- D.To change nomination
Answer: B
Surrender values reflect guaranteed and vested elements like bonuses.
95Which of the following is true about 'bonus declaration'?
- A.Bonuses are guaranteed for non-participating plans
- B.Bonuses in participating plans depend on insurer surplus and are not guaranteed
- C.All policies receive equal bonuses
- D.Bonuses are tax penalties
Answer: B
Past performance does not guarantee future bonuses.
96Which is correct about 'information privacy' for policyholders?
- A.Insurers must keep customer information confidential and follow data protection rules
- B.Insurers can freely sell data without consent
- C.No privacy obligations exist
- D.Only agents handle data privacy
Answer: A
Policyholder consent and secure handling are essential for trust and compliance.
97What is 'policy illustration' used for?
- A.To hide costs
- B.To show projected benefits, premiums and charges under various scenarios
- C.To process claims
- D.To change nominee
Answer: B
Regulators often mandate standardized illustrations for transparency.
98Which is true about 'trusts' and life policies in nominee/assignment context?
- A.Trusts cannot be assigned policy benefits
- B.Policy benefits can be assigned to a trust; legal and tax consequences follow
- C.Nominee is always the legal owner
- D.Assignment to trust is illegal
Answer: B
Assignment changes ownership rights; documentation required and tax rules apply.
99Which practice helps avoid moral hazard in life insurance?
- A.Allow unlimited assignment without notice
- B.Require insurable interest at inception and contestability periods
- C.No underwriting
- D.Guaranteed claim without checks
Answer: B
These measures ensure genuine insurance relationships and deter wagering contracts.
100Which is true about 'policyholder servicing' obligations of insurers?
- A.Insurers have no service obligations
- B.Insurers must provide clear information, timely claims settlement and grievance redressal as per regulations
- C.Only agents handle servicing
- D.Servicing is optional
Answer: B
Good servicing enhances trust and compliance with consumer protection standards.