ULIP NAV Explained: What It Is and Why It Matters

Table of Content
What is NAV?
The performance of a market-linked investments is denoted by its NAV per unit.
NAV per unit is the market value of securities of a scheme divided by the total number of units of the scheme on a given date. For example, if the market value of securities of a ulip fund scheme is ₹200 lakh and the ulip fund has issued 10 lakh units of ₹ 10 each to the investors, then the NAV per unit of the fund is ₹ 20 (i.e., ₹200 lakh/10 lakh).
It changes on a daily basis because the value of the fund’s investments, i.e., stocks and bonds go up or down. Think of NAV as the price tag on every unit, helping you know what your investment is worth. NAV is computed by deducting a fund’s expenses from its overall assets. Then, dividing by the total units issued.
What is NAV for ULIP?
ULIP plan combine the security of life insurance with the potential for wealth creation through market-linked investments like equity, debt, or hybrid funds. When you pay your premium, a portion of it is allocated to the life cover, and the remaining amount gets invested in your selected funds. Units are then allotted based on the NAV, which is the price of each unit on that day.
This assists you in tracking your fund's value over time: when the NAV increases, your overall fund value rises (if your units stay the same). Insurance companies publish daily ULIP NAVs on their sites, so you can easily monitor performance. Note that NAV is important but doesn't tell the entire story. Note that charges, fund type and switching choices also affect your final returns.
How to Calculate ULIP NAV?
The NAV of a ULIP fund is the price per unit, calculated daily. It reflects the total value of the fund after subtracting any liabilities, divided by the total units held by policyholders.
Formula:
NAV = (Market Value of Investments + Current Assets – Current Liabilities and Provisions) / Overall Outstanding Units
Here is what each term stands for:
Market Value of Investments: Current value of assets like stocks and bonds.
Current Assets: Cash, bank balance and receivables.
Current Liabilities & Provisions: Expenses or charges payable.
Outstanding Units: Total units held by all policyholders.
Assumed inputs:
Market Value of Investments: ₹2,50,000
Current Assets: ₹20,000
Liabilities & Provisions: ₹15,000
Number of Outstanding Units: 25,000
Step 1: Calculate total net assets
₹2,50,000 + ₹20,000 – ₹15,000 = ₹2,55,000
Step 2: Calculate NAV
₹2,55,000 / 25,000 = ₹10.20
So, the NAV of the ULIP fund is ₹10.20 per unit, meaning each unit is currently valued at ₹10.20.
Significance of NAV in ULIPs
Determines the Value of Your Investment
NAV shows the current price of each ULIP unit you own. Multiply the NAV by your total units to know the exact value of your investment at any given time.
Affects ULIP Returns
Your gains depend on NAV when you buy or sell units. Buying at a lower NAV and selling at a higher NAV means better returns on your investment.
Helps Track Fund Performance
NAV reflects how well your ULIP fund is doing over time. Watching NAV trends, whether it’s rising or falling, assists you in assessing the health of your investment.
Useful During Switching Between Funds
When you switch ULIP funds, the NAV of the new fund determines how many units you receive. This affects the value of your investment after the switch.
Conclusion
NAV is the per-unit price of a ULIP fund that reflects its daily market performance after deducting liabilities. It plays a key role in evaluating how well your fund is performing and helps you calculate the current value of your ULIP investment. By tracking NAV over time, you can make smarter decisions about where to direct your premiums, when to switch funds, and how to assess your overall growth.
Along with monitoring NAV, it’s important to understand ULIP taxation rules, as taxes can affect your overall returns. Using a ULIP calculator can also help you estimate future fund value and plan your investments more effectively. Keeping an eye on NAV movements, taxation, and using tools like ULIP calculators is essential for reviewing your ULIP and making informed investment choices.
FAQs on ULIP NAV
What is the NAV of a ULIP?
The NAV of ULIP is the Net Asset Value per unit of the fund where your premium is invested. It shows the current price of one unit based on the market value of the underlying assets, helping you track the real-time worth of your investment.
How to check ULIP NAV value?
You can check the ULIP NAV on the insurance company’s official website or trusted financial portals. NAVs are updated daily, so regularly visiting these sources helps you stay informed about your fund’s current value.
What is a good NAV value?
A “good” NAV isn’t fixed; it depends on your investment goals and the fund’s performance over time. Generally, a rising NAV indicates the fund is growing but always consider NAV trends along with charges and market conditions.
Can NAV help you decide when to switch ULIP funds?
Yes, NAV plays a crucial role when switching ULIP funds. It determines how many new units you get in the new fund, so knowing the NAV helps you make informed switching decisions to maximise returns.
Does NAV affect the fund value in ULIPs?
Absolutely. The fund value in ULIPs is calculated by multiplying the NAV by the number of units you hold. So, when NAV rises or falls, your overall fund value changes accordingly, directly impacting your investment returns.

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HDFC Life
Reviewed by Life Insurance Experts
HDFC LIFE IS A TRUSTED LIFE INSURANCE PARTNER
We at HDFC Life are committed to offer innovative products and services that enable individuals live a ‘Life of Pride’. For over two decades we have been providing life insurance plans - protection, pension, savings, investment, annuity and health.
1. Provided all due premiums have been paid and the policy is in force.
18. Save 46,800 on taxes if the insurance premium amount is Rs.1.5 lakh per annum and you are a Regular Individual, Fall under 30% income tax slab having taxable income less than Rs. 50 lakh and Opt for Old tax regime
The Unit Linked Insurance products do not offer any liquidity during the first five years of the contract. The policyholders will not be able to surrender or withdraw the monies invested in Unit Linked Insurance Products completely or partially till the end of fifth year.
Unit Linked Life Insurance products are different from the traditional insurance products and are subject to the risk factors. The premium paid in Unit Linked Life Insurance policies are subject to investment risks associated with capital markets and the NAVs of the units may go up or down based on the performance of fund and factors influencing the capital market and the insured is responsible for his/her decisions. HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited is only the name of the Insurance Company, The name of the company, name of the contract does not in any way indicate the quality of the contract, its future prospects or returns. Please know the associated risks and the applicable charges, from your Insurance agent or the Intermediary or policy document of the insurer. The various funds offered under this contract are the names of the funds and do not in any way indicate the quality of these plans, their future prospects and returns.
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