Review Summary
Claim Ratio: 89.94% (#10)
Bonus Rate: Highest (Whole Life)
Best For: Budget & Safety
Our Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐
Rastriya Jeevan Beema holds a unique position in Nepal’s insurance market: it is the only government-owned life insurer, backed by the Government of Nepal. It is not listed on NEPSE. Its claim settlement ratio of 89.94% ranks #10 of 14 — but this number tells only part of the story. Rastriya Jeevan Beema offers the cheapest endowment and term premiums in Nepal, the highest whole life bonus rate in Nepal, and a level of institutional permanence that no private insurer can match.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Rastriya Jeevan Beema Company Limited |
| NEPSE symbol | Not listed (Government-owned) |
| Type | Government — Nepal Government owned |
| Regulator | Nepal Beema Pradhikaran (NIA) |
| Claim ratio FY 2081/82 | 89.94% — NIA Rank: #10 of 14 |
| Claim ratio FY 2080/81 | 88.53% (improving ▲) |
| Entry age | 16 – 60 years |
| Policy terms | 5 – 25 years |
| Riders | Accident, Disability |
Plans Available (FY 2081/82)
Endowment — Endowment Plan
- Bonus rate: Rs. 60–85 per 1,000 SA/year — second highest in Nepal
- Estimated annual premium (Rs. 25L, age 30, 20yr): ~NPR 122,100 — cheapest endowment in Nepal
- Loan & surrender: Yes
Term — Term Plan
- Estimated annual premium (Rs. 50L, age 28, 20yr): ~NPR 16,100 — cheapest term in Nepal
Whole Life — Whole Life Plan
Bonus: Rs. 65–90/1,000 SA/year — highest whole life bonus in Nepal.
ULIP — Jeevan Vriddhi
Market-linked returns.
Money Back — Money Back Plan
Bonus: Rs. 42–68/1,000 SA/year.
The Government Backing Factor
Nepal’s 13 private insurers are regulated by NIA and backed only by their shareholders. Rastriya Jeevan Beema is backed by the Government of Nepal. In practice, this means three things:
- Zero insolvency risk: A government-owned insurer does not go bankrupt. Private insurers can and do face financial stress. Rastriya Jeevan Beema cannot.
- No NEPSE exposure: Private insurer performance can be influenced by shareholder pressure and market dynamics. Rastriya Jeevan Beema operates outside this pressure.
- Claims processing: Government bureaucracy means claims can be slower than private insurers — this is the realistic trade-off.
The 89.94% claim ratio is the metric where Rastriya Jeevan Beema trails many of the market’s top performers. For policyholders who prioritise premium cost, bonus accumulation, and institutional permanence over claim processing speed, the trade-off is clear.
The Premium and Bonus Case
| Metric | Rastriya Jeevan | Best Private Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Endowment annual premium (Rs. 25L, 20yr, age 30) | ~NPR 122,100 | ~NPR 122,400 (National Life) |
| Term annual premium (Rs. 50L, 20yr, age 28) | ~NPR 16,100 | ~NPR 16,400 (Reliable Nepal) |
| Whole Life bonus rate | Rs. 65–90/1,000/yr | Rs. 63–85/1,000/yr (National Life) |
| Endowment bonus rate | Rs. 60–85/1,000/yr | Rs. 63–85/1,000/yr (National Life) |
| Claim ratio FY 2081/82 | 89.94% (#10) | 98.85% (Asian Life, #1) |
Rastriya Jeevan Beema wins on price and whole life bonus. It loses significantly on claim ratio. Choose based on which factor is more important for your situation.
Policy Listing & Premium Estimates
| Plan Type | Plan Name | Baseline Sum Assured | Term | Bonus Rate | Estimated Annual Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endowment | Endowment Plan | NPR 25 Lakh | 20 yrs | Rs. 60–85/1,000 | NPR 113,100 |
| Term | Term Plan | NPR 50 Lakh | 20 yrs | — | NPR 18,600 |
| Whole Life | Whole Life Plan | NPR 25 Lakh | 20 yrs | Rs. 65–90/1,000 | NPR 98,600 |
| ULIP | Jeevan Vriddhi | NPR 25 Lakh | 20 yrs | Market-linked | NPR 83,100 |
| Money Back | Money Back Plan | NPR 25 Lakh | 20 yrs | Rs. 42–68/1,000 | NPR 121,500 |
Who Should Choose Rastriya Jeevan Beema?
Choose Rastriya Jeevan Beema if:
- You want the absolute lowest premium for endowment (~NPR 122,100/yr) or term (~NPR 16,100/yr) in Nepal
- You want a whole life policy with the highest bonus in Nepal (Rs. 65–90/1,000/yr)
- Government backing and zero insolvency risk matter more to you than claim settlement speed
Consider alternatives if:
- Claim settlement ratio is the primary criterion — Asian Life (98.85%), Sun Nepal Life (98.71%), Prabhu Mahalaxmi Life (98.33%), and Himalayan Life (98.09%) are all significantly higher
- You need entry below age 16 — Rastriya Jeevan Beema does not cover minors
- You need a policy term beyond 25 years or Critical Illness rider coverage
Compare Rastriya Jeevan Beema on our Compare Plans tool.
Data source: NIA Annual Report FY 2081/82. 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 →
