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Quick answer: NRIs can generally buy term insurance from Indian insurers, but each insurer sets its own approved country list, underwriting, medical process and claim paperwork. Where you live, how the medical is done, how you pay the premium and how your family will claim from abroad are the points that differ most from a resident policy. This guide is a checklist of questions to put to an insurer, not a recommendation of any product.
This is general information and not insurance, tax or legal advice. Insurer terms, IRDAI rules and tax provisions change, and most points below come from insurer and comparison pages. Read the policy wording and ask the insurer in writing before you buy. This guide is independent, quotes no premiums, and has not been reviewed by an insurance or tax professional.
Who can buy
- NRIs, persons of Indian origin and OCI cardholders can generally buy, with a typical age range of about 18 to 65, though it varies by insurer. Underwriting depends on age, country of residence, income and documents.
- Insurers keep their own approved country lists. One guide says everyone outside two named countries is eligible, and another says there is no single restricted list, so confirm yours.
- OCI and PIO applicants may need extra documents at some insurers, and practice is not uniform.
- Eligibility, underwriting, premium and claims are governed by each company’s own terms. LIC, for example, uses a separate non resident questionnaire (see LIC’s form).
Medical tests from abroad
Insurers handle the medical in different ways: during a visit to India, at an empanelled doctor or lab abroad, or by tele medical in some countries. A tele medical may be limited to people with a clean history or low risk countries. Ask the insurer which route it offers for your country, and what it will do if you cannot come to India.
Paying the premium
- Premiums are paid in rupees from an NRE, NRO or FCNR(B) account, or remitted from abroad. See the NRE vs NRO guide and the guide to opening an NRI bank account.
- Several insurer pages say the source of the premium decides whether the benefit can later be sent abroad. Money from an NRE account or a foreign remittance is generally repatriable, while money from an NRO account is subject to the NRO limit (see Tata AIA and Kotak Life). Confirm the rule with your bank, and see the guide to sending property sale proceeds abroad.
- Foreign currency policies have FEMA rules of their own. Ask a specialist.
Claims, from your family’s side
- Standard claim papers are the claim form, the policy, the death certificate, the claimant’s ID, bank details and medical or hospital records.
- If death happens abroad, expect attestation, translation or extra verification of overseas documents. Whether an apostille or consular attestation is required varies by insurer, so ask the insurer which one it accepts.
- The claim is made in India with the insurer and paid usually to the nominee’s Indian account.
- IRDAI’s 2024 master circular on protecting policyholders is reported to set about 15 days for a death claim that needs no investigation and 45 days where an investigation is needed, counted from intimation of the claim, with interest for late settlement. Older wording and some insurer pages speak of 30 days from receipt of all papers. Read your policy and the circular itself (see the IRDAI master circular, the circular text and IRDAI). The insurer may ask for more documents, so send complete papers.
Give your family a folder with the policy number, the insurer’s claims contact, the nominee details and a note of where documents are. See the NRI Will and succession guide for wider planning.
Tax in outline
- Deduction for premiums under the old section 80C and the exemption of the death benefit under section 10(10D) work on the same conditions as for residents, including the limit on premium as a share of the sum assured for policies issued after April 2012 (see HDFC Life).
- These benefits only help if you have taxable income in India and file there. Section numbers changed under the Income-tax Act, 2025, which applies from 1 April 2026, so ask your accountant for the current provisions and whether the old regime benefits still apply to you. See the NRI income tax return guide.
- This guide gives no advice on tax in your country of residence.
What to disclose
Expect questions on your country and years of residence, planned visits to India, foreign travel, occupation (some roles such as offshore, oil and gas or military are treated as higher risk), tobacco and medical history. Answer fully. A wrong answer can cause a claim to be refused.
How an NRI policy differs from a resident one
| Point | For an NRI |
|---|---|
| Country | Insurers keep approved country lists. Some countries are excluded. |
| Medical | Logistics depend on where you are. |
| Premium | Paid in rupees from an NRI account or by remittance, with FEMA rules. |
| Benefit abroad | Repatriation depends on how the premium was funded. |
| Claim | May need attested overseas documents. |
Questions to ask an insurer, in writing
- Is my country of residence on your approved list?
- Where and how will my medical be done?
- Which accounts can pay my premium, and what does that mean for repatriating a claim?
- What documents will my family need if I die abroad, and in what form?
- What happens to the policy if I move country or return to India?
- Who handles claims for NRI policies, and how can my family reach them?
If you are planning to return, see the guide to returning to Navi Mumbai. Choose a licensed adviser for product comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an NRI buy term insurance in India?
Generally yes. Insurers set their own approved country lists, age limits and underwriting. Check yours.
Do I need to travel to India for the medical?
It depends on the insurer. Some arrange medicals abroad or by tele medical in certain countries. Ask in writing.
How do I pay the premium from abroad?
In rupees from an NRE, NRO or FCNR(B) account, or by remittance. The source can affect whether the claim can be sent abroad.
How does my family claim if I die abroad?
The claim is made in India. Expect the death certificate and attested or translated overseas documents. Ask the insurer what it accepts.
Are the tax benefits available to NRIs?
The premium deduction and the death benefit exemption work on the same conditions as for residents, but only help if you have taxable income in India. Section numbers changed in 2026, so ask an accountant.
Is this a recommendation?
No. This is a checklist. It does not rate any insurer or product.
Sources
| Point | Source |
|---|---|
| Regulator | IRDAI and IRDAI master circular |
| Insurer examples | LIC non resident questionnaire, Tata AIA and Kotak Life |
| Tax | HDFC Life |
Reviewed on 30 October 2026. Insurer pages and IRDAI texts change, and this topic needs review by an insurance, FEMA and tax professional before you rely on it. This guide has not been reviewed by one.
NaviMumbai.com is an independent information site and is not affiliated with any government body.
