Life situations change - and sometimes, you may want to cancel or surrender your term insurance
policy.
Maybe you’ve upgraded to a better plan, cleared your loans, or simply want to adjust your finances.
Before you make that decision, it’s important to understand refund eligibility, cancellation
rules, and
the grace period allowed by insurers.
This guide explains how to cancel a term plan, how much you can get back (if any), and smarter
alternatives to surrendering - especially if your goal is to save costs without losing protection.
Difference Between Cancellation & Surrender
| Term |
Meaning |
Refund Eligibility |
| Cancellation (Free Look Period) |
Cancel within 15-30 days of policy start |
Yes - full or partial refund |
| Surrender (Mid-Term Exit) |
Cancel after policy activation period |
Usually no refund (for pure term plans) |
Free Look Period - Full Or Partial Refund
All insurers offer a free-look period (15-30 days) from the date you receive the policy document.
If
you
cancel within this period:
Premium is refunded after deducting:
- Stamp duty
- Medical exam charges (if applicable)
- Proportional premium for days covered
Example:
Paid ₹10,000 → used 10 days coverage → refund ≈ ₹9,600 after deductions.
Cancelling Term Insurance After Free-Look Period
- You can stop paying premiums, and the policy will lapse automatically after the grace
period.
- No refund for pure term policies (protection-only).
- If you have a Return of Premium (TROP) plan, surrender may yield partial
refund
depending on duration.
Grace Period - Don’t Panic If You Miss A Payment
| Payment Frequency |
Grace Period |
What Happens |
| Annual / Semi-Annual |
30 days |
Policy active till end of grace |
| Monthly |
15 days |
Coverage continues during grace period |
If premium is unpaid after grace period:
- Policy lapses (coverage stops).
- Can be revived within 2 years (with interest & medicals).
Refund Rules Based On Policy Type
| Policy Type |
Refund Option |
Conditions |
| Pure Term Plan |
No refund |
Only free-look eligible |
| TROP (Return of Premium) |
Partial refund |
Based on duration paid |
| Limited Pay Plan |
No refund if midway |
Coverage continues till paid term |
| Whole-Life Plan |
May have surrender value |
After minimum premium years (3+) |
Surrender Value For TROP Plans (Illustration)
| Years Paid |
Refund % of Total Premiums |
| 1 Year |
0% |
| 2 Years |
30% |
| 3-4 Years |
50-60% |
| 5+ Years |
70-90% |
(Varies by insurer and policy tenure.)
How To Cancel Term Insurance Policy
- Contact Insurer or PolicyBachat Support - request cancellation form.
- Submit Required Documents:
- Policy number
- ID proof (PAN/Aadhaar)
- Reason for cancellation
- Bank details for refund
- Attach Physical Policy Copy (if offline policy).
- Refund (if applicable) processed in 7-15 working days.
Local Insights For Hyderabad
- Avg. refund success during free-look: 88%.
- Top reasons for cancellation: Upgrading to TROP / new insurer.
- Avg. claim-free term lapses per year: 4%.
- Most responsive insurers for cancellation: HDFC Life, ICICI Prudential.
Alternatives To Cancellation
- Convert Plan Type: Switch to higher or whole-life variant.
- Reduce Coverage: Adjust sum assured instead of cancelling.
- Change Payment Frequency: Shift to annual or limited pay mode.
- Use Grace or Revival Option: Don’t lose existing benefits prematurely.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Assuming refund for all term plans - only TROP or within free-look apply.
- Forgetting to inform bank for auto-debit stop.
- Cancelling without ensuring new coverage is active.
- Surrendering after paying 4-5 years in TROP - better to continue till maturity.
- Not retrieving medical test reports - reuse for future policy.
Tax Implications
- Refunds under free-look period are not taxable.
- If policy lapsed mid-term, previously claimed 80C deductions may be reversed by IT department if:
- Policy surrendered within 2 years of issuance.
- Claimed tax benefit but did not maintain policy active.
FAQs
Can I cancel my term insurance anytime?
Yes, you can - via free-look (refund) or later (no refund).
Do I get money back if I cancel early?
Only within 15-30 days (free-look) or under TROP/whole-life plans.
How long is the free-look period?
15 days (offline purchase) or 30 days (online policy).
Can I surrender my term plan after 5 years?
Not for pure term plans; only TROP gives partial refund.
What if I stop paying premiums?
Coverage continues for grace period; then policy lapses.
Can I revive a lapsed policy?
Yes, within 2 years by paying dues + interest.
Is medical test needed for revival?
Sometimes, if lapse > 6 months.
Does cancellation affect my credit score?
No, life insurance isn’t linked to credit history.
What happens to riders on cancellation?
Riders end automatically with the policy.
Can I cancel only one rider, not the full plan?
Yes, at renewal or with endorsement request.
Can I switch to a cheaper insurer after cancelling?
Yes, but ensure new plan is active before ending old one.
Will I lose tax benefits on surrender?
Possibly, if cancelled within 2 years of claiming deductions.
Can I reapply for term insurance after cancellation?
Yes, anytime - fresh underwriting applies.
Are online policies easier to cancel?
Yes, digital cancellation available via email or support portal.
Do insurers charge cancellation fees?
Only stamp duty or admin charges during free-look refund.
Customer Reviews
- “Cancelled within 15 days - full refund received.” - Ankur Sharma, Delhi
- “PolicyBachat guided me on revival instead of surrender - saved my benefits.” - Sneha
Iyer, Pune
- “Smooth digital cancellation process.” - Ravi Menon, Bengaluru
- “Refund came in 7 days exactly as promised.” - Meera Nair, Kochi
- “Glad I learned the difference between cancellation and lapse.” - Karthik Rao,
Hyderabad
- “This article helped me avoid losing tax benefits.” - Nisha Kapoor, Mumbai
Featured