Term Insurance

ICICI Prudential iProtect Smart Her: Review & Features

Subhashish Banerjee

Written by Subhashish Banerjee

Insurance Writer

Gaurav Bhat

Reviewed by Gaurav Bhat

IRDAI-Certified Expert at Ditto

SP0738578124

Certified
ICICI Prudential iProtect Smart Her: Review & Features

Overview

ICICI Prudential iProtect Smart Her is the women-focused proposition available under ICICI Pru iProtect Smart Plus (UIN 105N205V06). However, it is marketed as a separate standalone term insurance product. The plan offers three variants: Life, Life Plus, and Life Rebalancing (not currently live).

Key Features and Benefits

  • 15% Lifetime Discount: Female policyholders receive a guaranteed 15% discount on life cover premiums throughout the policy term.
  • Premium Break Benefit: Lets eligible policyholders pause premium payments when needed, such as during pregnancy, while keeping the policy benefits active.
  • Additional Discounts: The online discount is up to 5% lifetime, while the salaried discount is offered for the first-year only (15% for limited pay and 12.5% for regular pay).
  • Health and Wellness Benefits: Provides value-added health and wellness services worth up to ₹92,100.
  • Terminal and Accidental Protection: Includes inbuilt terminal illness protection and options to increase coverage for accidental death.

Women often prioritize everyone’s financial security except their own. Traditional term plans may offer protection, but do they address women’s unique financial and health needs? This is where women-focused term insurance plans, such as those offered by ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, come into the picture. 

So, what makes these plans different, and how well do they address women’s evolving needs? In the next few minutes, we’ll explore iProtect Smart Her’s key features, available riders, eligibility, insurer performance, and whether the term plan meets your family needs.

What Is the ICICI Prudential iProtect Smart Her Plan?

iProtect Smart Her is a women-focused ICICI Prudential term insurance plan. The plan falls under ICICI Pru iProtect Smart Plus and does not have a separate UIN, but is marketed as a separate term insurance product. It is a non-linked, non-participating individual term insurance product designed to provide pure protection with benefits tailored to women’s financial needs.

Eligibility Criteria

ParameterLife Plan VariantLife Plus VariantLife Rebalancing Variant
Entry Age18 years to 65 years18 years to 65 years18 years to 45 years
Policy Term5 years to 85 years minus entry age with whole life option (99 years minus entry age)5 years to 85 years minus entry age 15 years to 85 years minus entry age
Premium Payment Options/ Premium Payment Term (PPT)Single pay, regular pay, and limited paySingle pay, regular pay, and limited paySingle pay, regular pay, and limited pay

Note: The entry age and policy term depend on the opted PPT, and for single pay, the maximum maturity age is 75 years. The policy offers a minimum sum assured of ₹50 lakh with no upper limit (subject to insurer underwriting). 

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Key Features of ICICI Pru iProtect Smart Her

    • Terminal Illness Benefit: If the life assured is diagnosed with a terminal illness during the policy term, the policy pays the entire death benefit early. This benefit accelerates the existing death benefit and is not an additional payout. The policy terminates after payment.
    • Life Stage Protection: Regular pay policyholders can increase their coverage at key life stages. The increase is 50% upon marriage, 25% after the first child, 25% after the second child, and 100% upon home loan disbursement.
    • Premium Break: Policyholders can pause premium payments for 12 months, with the deferred amount postponed until the next policy anniversary. Policyholders can use the feature multiple times during the PPT, with at least five policy years between breaks. It is unavailable during the final three policy years. During the premium break, the deferred amount is deducted from the claim in case of a demise.
    • Insta Payment on Claim Intimation: Eligible policies receive an accelerated death benefit of ₹3 lakh after the death claim is registered with the required documents. The payment is processed within one working day of claim registration and applies to policies with a sum assured of at least ₹1 crore. It is not payable for death during the first 3 policy years from commencement/revival.
    • Smart Exit Benefit: Policyholders can exit after the 25th policy year and receive a benefit equal to total base premiums paid, subject to eligibility. The life assured must be at least 60, and the policy must remain active. The option is unavailable during the final five policy years or while claims or premium breaks are pending. 
    • Health Management and Well-Being Services: Policyholders receive access to a curated range of health management and wellness services at no additional cost. These complimentary services, which include teleconsultations and Out-Patient Department (OPD) services, are available while the policy remains active and all premiums are paid. You can explore the official website for exact details.

Take a look at the infographic below for the well-being services offered by the ICICI Prudential term plan.

Health Management and Well-Being Services

Child Education Care Under ICICI Pru iProtect Smart Her

There is no separate “Child Education Care” benefit. ICICI Pru iProtect Smart Her markets the increasing income payout option as child education care. This helps families fund future education expenses through increasing annual payouts. 

Under the increasing income payout option, the nominee receives the death benefit as a regular income over 10 years. The payout increases by 10% each year, providing a structured source of financial support instead of a single lump-sum payment.

ICICI Pru iProtect Smart Her Plan Options and Death Benefit Payout Choices

Plan Options

    • Life: This is the basic term insurance option. If the policyholder dies from a covered cause, such as illness, accident, or natural causes, the nominee receives the chosen death benefit.
    • Life Plus: This combines base life cover with a fixed Accidental Death Benefit (ADB). For normal death, the nominee receives the base cover. In the event of accidental death, they receive the base cover plus the additional ADB payout.
    • Life Rebalancing (Not Currently Live): This combines base life cover with an ADB that automatically changes each year. The policy adjusts the balance between life cover and accidental cover as your financial responsibilities evolve.

Note: Under the Life and Life Plus variants, the death benefit payable upon the life assured’s death or diagnosis of terminal illness can be received through four payout options: lump sum, income, lump sum and income, or increasing income. 

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Riders and Optional Covers Available With ICICI Pru iProtect Smart Her

01

Accidental Death Benefit

Pays a lump sum to the nominee over and above the base sum assured if death occurs due to an accident (within 180 days). The maximum rider cover offered is up to 3 times the base sum assured, subject to a maximum limit of ₹3 crore.

02

Accidental Total and Permanent Disability (ATPD)

Pays a lump sum if an accident results in total and permanent disability within 180 days of the accident. The minimum rider cover is ₹5 lakh, while the maximum is capped at ₹3 crore or the base sum assured, whichever is lower.

03

Waiver of Premium (WOP)

This rider waives future premiums if the policyholder is diagnosed with any of 15 specified critical illnesses or suffers total and permanent disability due to an accident. The maximum PPT is 75 minus the policyholder’s age. It cannot be added alongside any other paid rider.

04

Critical Illness (CI)

Provides additional protection over and above the base life cover. The rider covers 20 or 60 specified critical illnesses, depending on the selected option, with coverage for up to 20 years.

Note: At Ditto, we recommend considering the waiver of premium and critical illness riders as they offer real protection and value for money. Since WOP cannot be combined with another paid rider, it is important to prioritize your needs. Consider ATPD if your income depends heavily on your physical ability. Choose critical illness if a serious illness could significantly disrupt your finances.

ICICI Pru iProtect Smart Her Sample Premium Comparison by Age and Cover

Age₹1 Crore₹2 Crore
25₹8,821₹13,694
30₹10,435₹16,391
35₹13,546₹22,126
40₹17,528₹29,094

Note: The annual premiums are based on a female profile residing in Delhi (110010) covered under the Life variant until age 65. These premiums are indicative and can vary based on age, sum assured, insurer underwriting, etc. 

Term insurance for women receives up to 15% discounts due to low mortality risks and actuarial pricing advantages. Although premiums rise with age, when you double the cover, premiums increase by 1.5x to 1.7x and not proportionately.

Smart Her is primarily a women-focused proposition offered under ICICI Pru iProtect Smart Plus. So, the 15% benefit should not be treated as an extra discount stacked on top of the standard female premium.

ICICI Prudential - Performance Metrics

MetricAverage (FY 2024-26)Industry Average
Claim Settlement Ratio99.30%99.00% (Mean)
Amount Settlement Ratio (Average FY 2023-25)95.94%94.83% (Mean)
Annual Business Volume (in Crore)₹22,239.48₹3,778.58 (Median)
Volume of Complaints (Per 10,000 Claims)8.0013.10 (Median)
Solvency Ratio2.10x2.00x (Median)
Annual Death Claims Paid (in Crore)₹1,853.11₹237.24 (Median) 

Note: The figures represent the insurer’s overall insurer-level performance and are not specific to ICICI term insurance products. The data is sourced from ICICI Prudential Life’s public disclosures and IRDAI annual reports. For more such insurer performance data, explore Ditto Data Lab.

Pros and Cons of the ICICI Pru iProtect Smart Her Plan

ProsCons
Genuine female pricing advantage can make premiums more attractive over a long policy term, especially when the 15% women-specific rate applies over the full policy period.Wellness benefits should not be treated as guaranteed cash value, since service availability and third-party offerings can change over time.
Salaried customers get a first-year premium discount of 15% on limited pay and 12.5% on regular pay. However, single pay policies receive no discount. Life stage increases and some benefits depend on eligibility, underwriting, policy conditions, or the current pricing, so they should not be viewed as guaranteed.
Premium break can help during temporary cash flow pressure by deferring payments while keeping the policy active, although it is not a premium waiver.Smart exit has strict conditions and increasing income totals 145% over ten years, which should not be mistaken for a 45% immediate return or guaranteed maturity value.

Who Should Buy the ICICI Pru iProtect Smart Her Plan? 

Who Should Consider Smart Her

    • Suitable for women with current or expected financial dependents, loans, or future family responsibilities.
    • A good fit for those who want life protection without treating insurance as an investment.
    • Particularly relevant for young salaried women seeking extended coverage at potentially competitive premiums.
    • Premium break may help with temporary financial pressure, provided the eligibility conditions are met.

Who Should Think Before Buying

    • Individuals assuming that the ₹92,100 wellness value solely drives a long-term insurance decision.
    • Those looking for long policy terms, as the critical illness rider's maximum 20-year duration may not match longer policy terms.
    • People assuming Smart Her as a savings product, which is primarily a pure-risk term plan. 
    • People looking for multiple riders, as waiver of premium cannot be clubbed with other riders.

Why Choose Ditto for Term Insurance?

At Ditto, we’ve assisted over 12,00,000 customers with choosing the right insurance policy. Why customers like Aaron below love us:

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Conclusion

ICICI Pru iProtect Smart Her is best viewed as a women-focused proposition built around a conventional term insurance framework. Similar to Bajaj Superwoman and Aditya Birla Sun Life Her Care, it packages women-specific features into a targeted offering. 

If ICICI Prudential is on your shortlist, compare iProtect Smart Plus (Her) with other term plans using the same sum assured, policy term, payout structure, and rider configuration. You can explore some of the best term insurance plans we recommend.

Disclaimer: Our product team is currently evaluating this product internally. Until that review is complete, treat this article as an explanation of the plan's features and limitations, rather than a Ditto recommendation. Before buying, compare it with other term plans on coverage, policy term, underwriting, payout structure, and rider configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the ICICI Pru iProtect Smart Her term plan worth buying for a working woman?

It can be worth considering if you want life insurance with women-focused benefits. However, the core purpose remains income protection for your family. Compare the coverage and women-specific benefits with other ICICI term insurance plans before making a decision.

How much cheaper is ICICI Pru iProtect Smart Her compared to the same cover for a man?

The plan offers a flat 15% lifetime premium discount compared to a male profile, but the exact difference depends on your age, coverage, policy term, smoking status, health profile, and other underwriting factors. Compare quotes for identical coverage and policy terms before deciding whether the savings are meaningful.

Can I pause my ICICI Pru iProtect Smart Her premiums while I am pregnant?

Yes, but pregnancy itself isn't a trigger. You can pause your premiums if you get pregnant, if the applicable break conditions are fulfilled. The feature is unavailable during the final three policy years. You can use it multiple times during the PPT, with at least five policy years between breaks. It applies only to limited pay and regular pay options. Check the policy document carefully before relying on this benefit. 

Does ICICI Pru iProtect Smart Her cover complications during pregnancy or for a newborn?

No. ICICI Pru iProtect Smart Her does not cover medical complications during pregnancy or congenital conditions in newborns. Instead, it offers a premium break benefit, which provides financial flexibility by allowing you to pause or manage premium payments during a pregnancy-related career or income break.

Does ICICI Pru iProtect Smart Her cover breast, ovarian or cervical cancer?

Cancer cover isn't a vague, women-specific benefit. It comes through the optional ICICI Pru Non-Linked Health Protect Rider, whose 20 CI and 60 CI packages both include cancer of specified severity, subject to a 15-day survival and 90-day waiting period. Whether breast/ovarian/cervical cancer qualifies depends on the rider definition. Review the policy documents for exact details.

Are homemakers eligible to buy the ICICI Pru iProtect Smart Her plan?

Homemakers may be eligible, but approval depends on the insurer's underwriting criteria. Insurers can consider factors such as age, husband’s income, existing coverage, financial profile, and health history. Eligibility is not guaranteed simply because the applicant is a woman. Always check eligibility requirements before applying for any term insurance for a housewife.

What free health check-ups and teleconsultations come with ICICI Pru iProtect Smart Her?

The plan offers unlimited teleconsultations with general physicians, nutritionists, and psychologists, with a stated value of ₹57,100. Specialist consultations covering gynecology, dermatology, and lactation support add another ₹22,500, taking the total teleconsultation value to ₹79,600. Policyholders also receive an annual 61-parameter health check-up worth ₹3,000, taking the combined stated value to ₹82,600. The policyholder can access these services via the ICICI Pru Life customer app.

Are premiums paid for ICICI Pru iProtect Smart Her eligible for tax benefits?

Yes. Premiums paid qualify for deductions under Section 123, previously Section 80C, under the old tax regime, subject to the ₹1.5 lakh overall limit. Eligible health rider premiums may qualify separately under Section 126 (previously Section 80D). Death benefits are exempt under Section 11, previously Section 10(10D), subject to applicable conditions.

Is the pregnancy break benefit a separate paid add-on?

No. The pregnancy break benefit is not a separate add-on that costs extra. It is an in-built condition of the premium break feature included in the base policy. Under the Smart Her policy, it is specifically positioned to help manage temporary income or budget changes during pregnancy and early parenthood.

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