A Life Insurance agent should identify themselves, understand your needs, explain the proposed policy and premium clearly, help you complete an accurate application, and assist with servicing and claims. You should be able to verify their appointment, ask for written policy information, and make your own decision before paying. The insurer, rather than the agent, issues the policy and decides claims.
How can you verify who is advising you?
Ask the person for their name, insurer, agency identity card, and advisor or agency code. An appointed Insurance agent must identify themselves and the insurer they represent, show their identity card, and produce the appointment letter on demand. Confirm the details using the insurer’s official channel before sharing sensitive documents or paying a premium.
“Advisor” is often a customer-facing title. It does not, by itself, establish the person’s legal role or authorise broad investment or tax advice. For an ABSLI representative, the “Know Your Advisor” lookup accepts an advisor ID or sales-person code. If you cannot verify the person, contact the insurer directly.
What should the agent ask before recommending cover?
Expect a discussion of whom your income supports, existing cover, outstanding liabilities, future obligations, the years for which protection is needed, and an affordable premium. The agent should use those facts to explain why the suggested cover and policy term fit your needs. IRDAI’s agent code requires the agent to take account of a prospect’s needs when recommending a plan.
For example, a parent with dependents and a Home Loan may need to examine income replacement and debt together. The amount is a personal calculation, not a universal multiple of salary. Ask what assumptions were used, including inflation and any cover already in place. If the proposed premium strains your budget, say so before applying.
What should be explained before you sign?
The agent should provide the insurer’s product information and indicate the premium charged by the insurer. Ask for the official benefit illustration and policy terms, then check when cover begins, how long premiums are payable, what benefit is payable on death or maturity, any waiting periods or exclusions, and what happens if payments stop. A projection is not a promise unless the contract explicitly provides that benefit.
Ask whether the policy is pure protection, Non-Linked Savings, or Linked Insurance, how charges and surrender terms work where applicable, and whether any optional rider changes the premium or benefit. Read the specific contract and illustration. Do not rely on a verbal example or a generic brochure to determine your entitlement.
You may ask the agent to disclose the scale of commission on a product offered for sale. The agent code requires disclosure if a prospect asks. It also prohibits offering rates, advantages or terms different from the insurer’s. Request written clarification from the insurer if a verbal offer conflicts with official papers.
What help should you get with the proposal form?
The agent should explain each question and help gather the documents requested by the insurer, while you review every answer before signing or submitting. Disclose health history, tobacco and alcohol use, occupation, income, existing Insurance, and other material details accurately as asked. An agent must explain why material disclosures matter and must not induce omission or false answers.
Do not sign blank forms or let someone guess an answer for you. Retain copies of the proposal, disclosures, illustration, payment receipt, and communications. The agent should tell you promptly whether the insurer accepted or rejected the proposal but cannot promise acceptance or override underwriting.
What should happen after the policy is issued?
Review the policy schedule, benefit illustration, and terms as soon as you receive them. Check the insured person, nominee, sum assured, premiums, dates, and any special conditions against your application. Ask the insurer to correct errors in writing. The agent should advise on nominations and help with servicing requests, such as contact details or option changes, where necessary.
The requested change may require insurer approval, additional evidence, or a new premium. It is not effective merely because an agent says it is. Follow the insurer’s official process and preserve the confirmation. Check the current policy document for the applicable free-look terms and the method of exercising that right.
Can the agent help a family make a claim?
Yes. The code calls for necessary assistance to policyholders, claimants, and beneficiaries with the insurer’s claim requirements. An agent may explain forms, documents, and submission channels, but the insurer verifies the claim and communicates its decision under the policy and applicable rules.
Tell your nominee where the policy and insurer’s contact details are kept. If an agent is unavailable, the nominee can contact the insurer directly. Never pay an individual to “release” a claim or treat an assurance of payment as a claim decision.
When should you pause and seek a second explanation?
Pause if someone presses for an immediate signature, requests a blank form, or an unrecorded payment, suggests concealing a health detail, promises benefits absent from the illustration, or urges cancellation of an existing policy without explaining the consequences. The agent code expressly forbids prompting false or omitted material information and certain forced replacement practices.
Ask for the point in writing and check it with the insurer. Keep your own record of the discussion. It is reasonable to take time to read the documents and decide whether the cover suits your circumstances.
How do you raise a concern about an agent or policy?
Contact the insurer’s customer service or grievance officer with the policy or proposal number, agent details, dates, and copies of relevant records. Request a complaint reference. If you remain dissatisfied or do not receive a response, IRDAI’s Bima Bharosa portal can register and track an insurance grievance. An eligible dispute may also be taken to the Insurance Ombudsman under its rules.
For ABSLI, the official site lists customer care at 1800-270-7000 and care.lifeinsurance@adityabirlacapital.com. Use official channels and do not pay anyone who claims a fee is needed to register a Bima Bharosa complaint.
How can ABSLI help you verify and service a policy?
Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance provides an online “Know Your Advisor” lookup and official customer-service channels. Use the advisor ID to check an active representative and contact the company directly for proposal status, policy servicing, or claim guidance. The agent can assist with the process, while policy terms and decisions come from the insurer.
September 30, 2026
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