Unit Linked Insurance Plan:
Unit Linked Insurance Plan (ULIP) is type of insurance product, which gives policy holders both insurance and investment under same plan. A part of the premium is utilized to provide insurance cover to the policy holder while the remaining portion is invested in various equity and debt schemes (depending upon chosen plan). Policy holders can select the type of funds (debt or equity) or a mix of both based on their investment need and appetite.
Next Gen – ULIP Version 2:
Thanks to internet, insurance companies are now selling directly to customers and this helped in bringing cost down by eliminating middle man commissions.
Some low cost ULIPs which are directly available online are Aviva i-Growth, Bajaj Allianz Future Gain and Edelweiss Tokio Wealth Accumulation.
Some new ULIPs have lower costs than what many mutual funds charge. It makes sense to invest in the new and much-improved version of ULIPs. As ULIPs have longer lock-in (of five years), fund manager have at least five years, and returns can be higher considering a longer view. Plus they add risk cover also which mutual funds don’t have. Like Wealth Accumulation Accelerated cover (WAAC) from Edelweiss Tokio Life is already 5 star rated by MorningStar
Invest for long run:
One advice for investor, even if new plans have lower costs, don’t invest for smaller term (2-3 years). Stay invested for at least 10 years.
