Term Insurance With Low Income or Less Education

Short answer

• Most regular online term plans need a degree, or an income of 5 to 10 lakh a year for non-graduates.
• Saral Jeevan Bima, the standard term plan with the same basic features across insurers, accepts income from about 2 to 2.5 lakh. Cover is usually 5 to 25 lakh, and up to about 50 lakh with some insurers.
• A few other plans accept 10th pass with income from about 2.5 lakh, with cover of about 25 to 60 lakh at younger ages.

What insurers usually look at

• Education: 10th pass is the usual minimum. A few plans accept below 10th, but applicants who cannot read or write are generally not accepted.
• Income: usually at least 2 to 2.5 lakh a year. Self-employed applicants are often asked for a little more than salaried ones.
• Income proof: salary slips, Form 16 or ITR. Some plans also accept bank statements or a credit score based check for smaller cover.
• Cover: usually 10 to 25 times your yearly income, depending on age and plan.
• Medicals: for smaller cover, often a simple, telephone or video medical.
• Riders: usually only an accident rider, or none.

Common reasons for rejection

• Applying for a regular online plan that needs a degree or 5 to 10 lakh income
• No income proof at all for the cover asked
• Cover asked above 10 to 25 times income
• Applicant cannot read or write

Documents usually needed

• PAN, Aadhaar and address proof
• 10th certificate, if asked
• Salary slips, Form 16 or ITR, or bank statements
• Bank account in your own name

How FFFS helps

Rules differ a lot between insurers, and a rejection stays on record. We check your case against the current underwriting rules of several insurers before you apply, then suggest the insurer and plan that fit your profile.

Questions

Rules differ by insurer and change from time to time. Final acceptance, cover and premium depend on the insurer's underwriting decision. Information checked in October 2026.