Insurance Scheme for Entrepreneurs

The Government of Kerala has initiated an insurance scheme as a social security scheme for the welfare of entrepreneurs and their families. The main objective of the social security scheme is to provide insurance coverage on the death of MSME entrepreneurs of Kerala State. This scheme will be a combination of Government of India’s Social Security Pradhan Manthri Jeevan Jyothi Bima Yojana (SSPMJJBY) and Group Insurance Scheme of Life Insurance Corporation of India. In this article, we look at the Insurance Scheme for entrepreneurs in detail.

Purpose of the Scheme

MSME occupies a pivotal role in the economic growth and equitable development of our State. They are the driving force towards a large number of innovations and contribution to the growth of the economy through employment creation, investment and export. Keeping this in view, several schemes supporting the MSME both technically and financially have been implemented by the Government of Kerala. Even if the circumstances are as above, but when an entrepreneur deciding to start a manufacturing or service enterprises lies some risk factors. In order to address this issue, the scheme for social security to MSME entrepreneurs was announced to provide insurance coverage to at least one lakh entrepreneurs in the State of Kerala.

Features of the Scheme

The salient features of the social security scheme are as follows:

This social security scheme provides insurance coverage to MSME entrepreneurs in the State of Kerala.
The sum insured will be issued to the nominee in case of death due to any cause during the term of the insurance cover.
In addition to the life cover, scholarships are paid to the children of the insured person studying in 9th Std, 10th Std and 12th Std.

Sum Insured

The sum insured under the social security scheme is tabulated here:

S. No	Event	Claim Amount
1	Normal Death	Rs.2 lakhs
2	Death due to accident	Rs.4 lakhs
3	Partial Disability	Rs.1 lakh
4	Permanent Disability	Rs.2 lakhs

Note: In addition to the above, the amount of Rs.5000 will be released on funeral expenses. This benefit is extended as a standalone Group Insurance Scheme along with the Social Security Scheme as specified above.

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria to obtain benefits under the scheme are explained in detail below:

The Proprietors of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Kerala who have filed EM Part-II/Udhyog Aadhar under MSME Development Act is eligible to apply for the scheme.
Any MSME having a constitution as Proprietary are covered under the scheme.
The applicant should employ at least two employees than other than the proprietor, as certified by the General Manager of District Industries Centre.
The applicant must be in the age limit of 18 to 50 years at the time of applying for the scheme.
The unit should have been continuously working for last three financial years.

Premium Amount

From the total premium amount of Rs.200, the nominee is required to pay an amount of Rs.100 per and the remaining amount of Rs.100 will be contributed by the Government of Kerala. The above-specified rate will be reviewed once in three years based on the experience of the scheme will be continued as long as Government of India continues social security Pradhan Manthri Jeevan Jyothi Bima Yojana (SSPMJJBY) Scheme. Initially, one-year suicide clause and the insurance cover claimed after the 45 days from the date of application will not be imposed as the premium is paid by the Government of Kerala. However, on revised the claim experience, the same can be reviewed. Notes: Other benefits of SSPMJJBY Scheme would be extended to the policyholder under the scheme.

Documents Required

The below following documents are to be furnished for obtaining insurance policy:

Application Form
Bank Passbook
Aadhaar card

Application Procedure

As the scheme is organized by the LIC and other insurance companies. The applicant must consult with their bankers for further details, and the bank must tie-up with the respective insurance companies. If the nominee has multiple bank accounts, only one account will be considered. The eligible applicant has to approach the respective bank and collect the application form from the bank. Complete the application form with the mandatory details and attach the required documents. After filling the form, submit the same to the appropriate bank.

Details of Social Security Pradhan Manthri Jeevan Jyothi Bima Yojana (SSPMJJBY) Scheme

This insurance scheme is offering life insurance cover for death due to any reason. Under this scheme, one-year insurance cover is provided, which is also renewable from year to year. The scheme would be administered or offered through LIC and other Life Insurance companies interested to offer the product on similar terms with required approvals and tie-ups with banks for the same purpose. Participating banks will be free to connect any such life insurance company for implementing the scheme for their customers.

Benefits

The sum of Rs.2 lakhs can be claimed on the death of the insured person occurred due to any reason.

Scope of Coverage

Any savings bank account holders within the age group of 18 to 50 years in participating banks are allowed to participate under this scheme.

Eligibility Conditions

The savings bank account holders of the participating banks aged between 18 years (completed) and 50 years (age nearer birthday) are eligible to apply for the scheme. Note: Aadhaar would be the primary KYC for the bank account.

Expenditure

The total expenditure covered under this scheme are tabulated below:

S.No	Particulars	Amount
1	Total number of entrepreneurs to be covered under the scheme	Rs.1 lakh
2	Annual premium per beneficiary	Rs.200
3	Total annual premium required	Rs.200 lakhs

Claim Period

The insured person can claim the sum insured within 45 days from the date of application. The death occurring due to accidents will be exempted from the 45 days of claim duration.