Review Summary
Claim Ratio: 84.55% (#12)
Bonus Rate: Highest (Endowment)
Best For: High Returns
Our Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐
National Life Insurance offers the highest endowment bonus rate in Nepal — Rs. 63–85 per 1,000 sum assured per year, no other insurer matches it. Its claim settlement ratio of 84.55% ranks #12 of 14 in FY 2081/82 — a significant decline from 93.40% the previous year. National Life is the right choice for buyers who prioritise bonus accumulation over claim ratio.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | National Life Insurance Company Limited |
| NEPSE symbol | NLICL |
| Type | Private — Nepali-owned |
| Regulator | Nepal Beema Pradhikaran (NIA) |
| Claim ratio FY 2081/82 | 84.55% — NIA Rank: #12 of 14 |
| Claim ratio FY 2080/81 | 93.40% (significant decline ▼) |
| Entry age | 0 – 65 years |
| Policy terms | 5 – 30 years |
| Riders | Accident, Critical Illness, Disability |
Claim Settlement Ratio — #12, Significant Decline
National Life’s 84.55% in FY 2081/82 places it twelfth among Nepal’s 14 insurers — a sharp decline from 93.40% the previous year. This is the most important caveat for any buyer considering National Life: its claim ratio fell by 8.85 percentage points in a single year. The cause of this decline is not disclosed in NIA’s published data, but the scale of the drop is significant enough that buyers prioritising claim reliability should compare it carefully against top-ranked alternatives before committing.
Plans Available (FY 2081/82)
Endowment — Amrit Barsha
Nepal’s highest endowment bonus plan. Pays sum assured plus accumulated bonus at maturity, or to nominee on death.
- Bonus rate: Rs. 63–85 per 1,000 SA/year — highest endowment bonus in Nepal
- Estimated annual premium (Rs. 25L, age 30, 20yr): ~NPR 122,400
- Riders: Accident, Critical Illness, Disability
- Loan & surrender: Yes (after 3 years)
Term — Term Plan
Pure life protection. Covers death outside Nepal. Maximum coverage for minimum cost.
- Estimated annual premium (Rs. 50L, age 28, 20yr): ~NPR 17,600
Whole Life — Whole Life Plan
Coverage until age 100. Pays sum assured at end of premium term; life cover continues. Bonus: Rs. 63–85/1,000 SA/year.
ULIP — ULIP Plan
Market-linked returns. Not suitable for risk-averse buyers or those within 10 years of their goal date.
Money Back — Money Back Plan
Periodic liquidity payouts at defined intervals. Bonus: Rs. 45–70/1,000 SA/year.
The Bonus Advantage — National Life vs All Competitors
National Life’s endowment bonus (Rs. 63–85/1,000 SA/year) is the highest in Nepal. The practical difference over 20 years on a Rs. 25 lakh policy:
| Company | Endowment Bonus (avg) | Est. 20yr Bonus (Rs. 25L) |
|---|---|---|
| National Life | Rs. 74/1,000/yr | ~Rs. 37 lakh |
| Nepal Life | Rs. 70/1,000/yr | ~Rs. 35 lakh |
| LIC Nepal | Rs. 68/1,000/yr | ~Rs. 34 lakh |
| Sanima Reliance (lowest) | Rs. 52/1,000/yr | ~Rs. 26 lakh |
Bonus estimates based on midpoint of declared ranges. Past bonus rates do not guarantee future declarations.
Premiums by Age — Endowment (Rs. 25L, 20yr)
| Age | Est. Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| 25 | ~NPR 122,400/yr |
| 30 | ~NPR 123,800/yr |
| 35 | ~NPR 126,200/yr |
Who Should Choose National Life?
Choose National Life if:
- You want the highest endowment bonus in Nepal (Rs. 63–85/1,000/yr) — no other insurer matches this range
- You are up to 65 years old — above-average maximum entry age
- You want a 30-year policy term
- You want Critical Illness rider — not available from all 14 insurers
- Bonus accumulation matters more to you than claim settlement ratio ranking
Consider alternatives if:
- Claim settlement ratio is the primary criterion — Asian Life (98.85%), Sun Nepal Life (98.71%), Prabhu Mahalaxmi (98.33%), and Himalayan Life (98.09%) all rank significantly higher
- The large year-on-year decline (93.40% → 84.55%) concerns you — monitor in the next NIA annual report before committing
Use our Compare Plans tool to put National Life’s Amrit Barsha plan against any other insurer for your exact age and sum assured.
If you are not sure which plan is best for you, Discover Your Perfect Insurance Plan
Data source: NIA Annual Report FY 2081/82, Schedule 14 & 15. Plan names from NIA product registry (verified April 2026). Premiums are estimates. Claim ratios are amount-based (NPR Crore per NIA Schedules 14 & 15); per-company claim settlement counts are not separately published — only an industry-wide total is available. Full disclaimer →
