Exide Life Insurance (2025 Guide): Plans, Claims, Premium Payment, Login & HDFC Life Merger Explained
Looking for clear, up‑to‑date information on Exide Life Insurance? This all‑in‑one guide explains the brand’s integration with HDFC Life, what it means for existing policyholders, how to pay premiums, file claims, download policy documents—and how to choose the right life cover for your goals in India.
![]() |
Exide Life Insurance 2025 |
Updated: • India
Key Takeaways (TL;DR)
- Exide Life Insurance has been integrated into HDFC Life. Existing Exide Life policies remain valid; servicing now happens via HDFC Life channels.
- For existing policyholders: premiums, benefits, bonus (if applicable), and policy terms continue as per contract. Use HDFC Life’s service portals/branches for renewal, changes, or claims.
- New buyers: If you’re searching “Exide Life” for fresh purchase, you’ll find equivalent HDFC Life plans (term, savings/endowment, ULIP, child, retirement, annuity).
- Claims & servicing: Intimate claims promptly; keep KYC + policy docs handy. For escalations, use the insurer’s grievance system; for unresolved issues, use IRDAI IGMS.
- Tax: Premiums may qualify under Section 80C; death/maturity proceeds may qualify under Section 10(10D)—subject to prevailing rules.
On this page
- 1) Brand snapshot & merger update
- 2) Existing Exide Life policyholders: what changes?
- 3) Plans & categories (then vs now)
- 4) Premium payment & online services
- 5) Claim process (death, maturity, surrender)
- 6) How to choose the right plan (India‑specific)
- 7) Fine print: grace, free‑look, revival, riders
- 8) Tax benefits & documentation
- 9) Customer care & grievance redressal
- 10) FAQs
1) Exide Life: brand snapshot & merger update
Exide Life Insurance Company Limited operated in India for many years with a portfolio of term, savings, ULIP, and pension plans. The brand has been integrated into HDFC Life—one of India’s leading life insurers regulated by IRDAI. This integration means:
- Existing Exide Life policies continue as is, honoring original terms & conditions.
- Servicing (renewal, address/nominee changes, claims) now runs on HDFC Life systems and branches.
- New customers exploring “Exide Life” will be guided to HDFC Life’s current product suite.
Note: Always verify latest merger/servicing updates on the official insurer website; processes evolve with system upgrades.
2) Existing Exide Life policyholders: what exactly changes?
- Policy validity: No change. Your policy contract remains valid.
- Premium & benefits: Continue as per policy schedule. Premium amounts and due dates remain unchanged unless you endorsed changes.
- Bonuses (for participating/savings plans): As declared per policy terms; check annual bonus statements/updates.
- Service channels: Use HDFC Life’s customer portal/branch/call center for premium payments, address/nominee updates, e-statements, and claim intimation.
- Policy numbers: Exide Life policy numbers remain valid; in some cases, they are “mapped.” Keep your original number handy for servicing.
3) Plans & categories: what Exide Life offered—and what you’ll find now
Exide Life’s portfolio broadly matched the standard Indian life insurance categories. If you’re shopping today, you’ll typically find equivalent (or upgraded) options under HDFC Life:
Category | Use‑case | Key features to look for |
---|---|---|
Term Insurance (pure protection) | Income replacement for family | High cover at low premium; riders (ADB, WOP, CI); income payout option |
Savings/Endowment (participating/non‑par) | Goal‑based savings + life cover | Guaranteed benefits vs bonus participation; premium payment term (PPT); maturity options |
ULIPs (market‑linked) | Long‑term wealth creation + cover | Low charges, fund choices, switches, partial withdrawals, mortality return (if any) |
Child plans | Education corpus, premium waiver on parent’s death | WOP rider, guaranteed payouts at milestones, fund safety (if ULIP) |
Retirement/Pension | Accumulation + annuity/regular income | Deferred/Immediate annuity, income options (life, Jt life, ROP), purchase price return |
Group & Credit Life | Employer/loan-linked protection | Master policy servicing, member additions, claim support workflows |
Product names, features and eligibility vary by insurer/version. Always read the latest brochure & policy wording.
4) Premium payment & online services (post‑merger)
If you hold an Exide Life policy, you can typically renew via HDFC Life’s official payment channels:
- Online: Netbanking, UPI, debit/credit card on the insurer’s payment portal (choose “renew premium”). Keep your policy number & DOB ready.
- NACH/Auto‑debit: Set up e‑mandate to avoid missed due dates.
- Cash/Cheque at branch: Carry ID; ask for stamped receipt. Cheque/DD in favor of the insurer as instructed on the portal/renewal notice.
- Customer portal/app: Log in/register using policy details; download e‑receipt after payment.
Tip: Enable email/SMS alerts and auto‑pay to avoid lapses. If premium bounced, use revival within allowed timelines (see “Fine print” below).
Download policy & statements
- Log in to the insurer’s customer portal and navigate to Policy Documents or e‑Policy.
- For ULIPs, download Fund statements and transaction history.
- Need older copies? Raise a service request online or at a branch.
Update details (KYC, address, nominee)
- Nominee: Keep updated—this is crucial for claims.
- KYC: PAN/Aadhaar, address proof updates as per RBI/IRDAI norms.
- Mobile/email: Update to receive OTPs and policy communication.
![]() |
Exide Life Insurance (2025 Guide): Plans, Claims, Premium Payment, Login & HDFC Life Merger Explained |
5) Claim process: death, maturity, surrender (step‑by‑step)
A) Death claim
- Intimation: Inform the insurer via website, helpline, email, or branch. Keep policy number, date of death, and claimant details ready.
- Documents: Death certificate, claimant ID/address, policy copy, bank details (cancelled cheque), medical records; accidental cases may need FIR/panchnama/post‑mortem.
- Submission: Upload online or submit physically; obtain acknowledgment.
- Assessment: Insurer may ask for clarifications. Respond promptly.
- Payout: Valid claims are settled per regulatory timelines into the nominee’s bank account.
B) Maturity claim
- Before maturity, the insurer usually reaches out with instructions. Confirm KYC/bank details early.
- For participating policies, check final bonus if applicable.
- Payout is credited to the registered bank account after due verification.
C) Surrender/partial withdrawal
- ULIP: Partial withdrawal allowed after lock‑in (usually 5 years). Surrender before lock‑in leads to fund transfer to a discontinued policy fund, with charges as per policy.
- Endowment: Surrender value depends on the number of premiums paid; check special surrender value/guaranteed surrender value.
- Always review charges/tax impact with the insurer/your advisor.
Pro‑tips: (1) Keep nominee updated. (2) Store policy docs and ID proofs in a shared folder with family. (3) For complex claims, ask for a written list of required documents to avoid back‑and‑forth.
6) How to choose the right life insurance plan (India‑specific)
Good life insurance protects your family’s lifestyle, not just “ticks a box.” Use this quick framework:
Step‑by‑step framework
- Define the goal: Protection (term), guaranteed savings (endowment), market‑linked growth (ULIP), retirement income (annuity), child milestones (child plan).
- Quantify: Term cover ~15–20× annual income + loans − liquid assets.
- Tenure: Protection until retirement or liabilities end. Savings/child plans matched to goal dates.
- Paying capacity: Keep premiums within 10–15% of annual savings (not income).
- Riders: Add only what you need—WOP, ADB, CI; avoid over‑stacking.
Sample buyer personas
- Young salaried (age 28): ₹1.5–2.0 crore term cover (level term) till 60; small guaranteed savings if needed.
- Parent (age 35) with home loan: ₹2–3 crore term; child plan for education corpus; consider income payout option for spouse.
- Near retirement (age 55): Annuity for predictable income; review old endowments for maturity proceeds planning.
Compare plan brochures, policy wordings, charges (esp. ULIPs), and latest claim/complaint metrics from IRDAI reports before deciding.
7) Fine print you must know (grace, free‑look, revival, riders)
- Free‑look period: Typically 15 days (30 days for distance marketing) from policy receipt to review and cancel (terms apply).
- Grace period: Usually 15 days (monthly mode) or 30 days (other modes) to pay overdue premium without lapsing.
- Revival: If lapsed, you can apply for revival within the allowed window (often up to 5 years) with overdue premiums + interest/medical if required.
- Suicide clause: Standard industry clause applies in early policy period—read wording carefully.
- Riders: Waiver of Premium (on disability/CI), Accidental Death Benefit, Critical Illness—benefits and exclusions vary; read rider wordings.
8) Tax benefits (India)
- Section 80C: Eligible premiums (subject to limits/conditions) may qualify up to ₹1.5 lakh.
- Section 10(10D): Death/maturity proceeds may be tax‑exempt, subject to conditions prevailing at the time.
- GST: Applicable on premiums as per current rates; check if any changes impact your plan (see our GST explainer below).
Tax laws change; consult your CA/financial planner for personalised advice.
![]() |
Exide Life Insurance |
9) Customer care & grievance redressal
- Level 1: Raise a service/complaint ticket via official portal, email, helpline, or branch. Keep ticket/acknowledgment.
- Level 2: Escalate to the insurer’s Grievance Redressal Officer if unresolved within stipulated time.
- Level 3: Use IRDAI IGMS (online) for regulator‑level redressal. You may also contact the insurer‑specific Ombudsman route where applicable.
Refer the insurer’s “Contact/Grievance” page for current escalation matrix, addresses, and timelines.
Recommended reads on InsuranceHero
FAQs — Exide Life Insurance (post‑merger)
Is Exide Life Insurance still selling new policies?
No. The brand has been integrated into HDFC Life. Existing Exide Life policies remain valid; new customers can explore equivalent HDFC Life plans.
I’m an Exide Life policyholder. How do I pay my premium now?
Use the insurer’s official payment portal (now HDFC Life), customer app, or visit a branch. Keep your Exide Life policy number handy; it is usually mapped in the new system.
Will my premium or benefits change after the merger?
Your existing contract terms remain as per the policy. Premiums/benefits continue unless you formally endorse changes. Always check renewal notices and your e‑policy.
How do I file a death claim for an Exide Life policy?
Intimate the insurer via official channels, submit documents (death certificate, KYC, bank details, medical/hospital records; FIR in accidental death if needed). Valid claims are paid as per timelines.
Where can I find claim settlement ratios?
Refer to the latest IRDAI Annual Report for industry‑standard metrics like claim settlement ratio (by number and by amount). Numbers change annually—use the latest official report.
Do I still get bonuses in my participating plan?
Yes, if your policy is a participating (with‑profits) plan. Bonuses are declared as per policy terms. Check your annual statement or service portal.
Can I change nominee online?
Typically yes, via the customer portal/app. Some cases require physical forms/KYC. Keep a proof of the change request.
Does Section 80C/10(10D) still apply?
Yes, subject to prevailing Income‑tax rules. Confirm with your tax advisor for your specific plan and year.
Bottom line: If you already hold an Exide Life policy, you’re covered—your contract stands. For new purchases, explore equivalent HDFC Life plans that fit your goal (protection, savings, retirement). Keep your details updated, premiums on auto‑pay, and documents organised—so claims are quick and stress‑free when your family needs them most.
Disclaimer: This guide is for education only. Product features, service flows, and tax rules change. Always verify on the official insurer website, read your policy wording, and consult a licensed advisor/CA for personal advice.