EXHIBIT 8(d)
                          FUND PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
                          ----------------------------
This Agreement is entered into as of the 15th day of November, 1996, between
First Providian Life and Health Insurance Company ("Insurance Company"), a life
insurance company organized under the laws of the State of New York, and DREYFUS
VARIABLE INVESTMENT FUND ("Fund"), an unincorporated business trust organized
under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
                                   ARTICLE I
                                  DEFINITIONS
 1.1  "Act" shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.,
 1.2  "Board" shall mean the Board of Trustees of the Fund having the
      responsibility for management and control of the Fund.
 1.3  "Business Day" shall mean any day for which the Fund calculates net asset
      value per share as described in the Fund's Prospectus.
 1.4  "Commission" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 1.5  "Contract" shall mean a variable annuity contract that uses the Fund as an
      underlying investment medium.  Individuals who participate under a group
      Contract are "Participants".
 1.6  "Contractholder" shall mean any entity that is a party to a Contract with
      a Participating Company.
 1.7  "Disinterested Board Members" shall mean those members of the Board that
      are not deemed to be "interested persons" of the Fund, as defined by the
      Act.
 1.8  "Dreyfus" shall mean The Dreyfus Corporation and its affiliates.
 1.9  "Participating Companies" shall mean any insurance company (including
      Insurance Company), which offers variable annuity and/or variable life
      insurance contracts to the public and which has entered into an agreement
      with the Fund for the purpose of making Fund shares available to serve as
      the underlying investment medium for the aforesaid Contracts.
1.10  "Prospectus" shall mean the Fund's current prospectus and statement of
      additional information, as most recently filed with the Commission.
 
1.11  "Separate Account" shall mean First Providian Life and Health Insurance
      Company Separate Account C or designated subaccounts thereof, a separate
      account established by Insurance Company in accordance with the laws of
      the State of New York.
1.12  "Software Program" shall mean the software program used by the Fund for
      providing Fund and account balance information including net asset value
      per share.  Such Program may include the Lion System.  In situations where
      the Lion System or any other Software Program used by the Fund is not
      available, such information may be provided by telephone.  The Lion System
      shall be provided to Insurance Company at no charge.
1.13  Insurance Company's General Account(s)" shall mean the general account(s)
      of Insurance Company and its affiliates which invest in the Fund.
                                   ARTICLE II
                                REPRESENTATIONS
2.1  Insurance Company represents and warrants that (a) it is an insurance
     company duly organized and in good standing under applicable law; (b) it
     has legally and validly established the Separate Account pursuant to the
     laws of the State of New York for the purpose of offering to the public
     certain individual variable annuity contracts; (c) it has registered the
     Separate Account as a unit investment trust under the Act to serve as the
     segregated investment account for the Contracts; and (d) each Separate
     Account is eligible to invest in shares of the Fund without such investment
     disqualifying the Fund as an investment medium for insurance company
     separate accounts supporting variable annuity contracts or variable life
     insurance contracts.
2.2  Insurance Company represents and warrants that (a) the Contracts will be
     described in a registration statement filed under the Securities Act of
     1933, as amended (111933 Act"); (b) the Contracts will be issued and sold
     in compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal and
     state laws; and (c) the sale of the Contracts shall comply in all material
     respects with state insurance law requirements.  Insurance Company agrees
     to inform the Fund promptly of any investment restrictions imposed by state
     insurance law and applicable to the Fund.
2.3  Insurance Company represents and warrants that the income, gains and
     losses, whether or not realized, from assets allocated to the Separate
     Account are, in accordance with the applicable Contracts, to be credited to
     or charged
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     against such Separate Account without regard to other income, gains, or
     losses from assets allocated to any other accounts of Insurance Company.
     Insurance Company represents and warrants that the assets of the Separate
     Account are and will be kept separate from Insurance Company's General
     Account and any other separate accounts Insurance Company may have, and
     will not be charged with liabilities from any business that Insurance
     Company may conduct or the liabilities of any companies affiliated with
     Insurance Company.
2.4  Fund represents that the Fund is registered with the Commission under the
     Act as an open-end, management investment company and possesses, and shall
     maintain, all legal and regulatory licenses, approvals, consents and/or
     exemptions required for Fund to operate and offer its shares as an
     underlying investment medium for Participating Companies.  The Fund has
     established eight series of shares (each, a "Series") and may in the future
     establish other series of shares.
2.5  Fund represents that it is currently qualified as a Regulated Investment
     Company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
     (the "Code"), and that it will make every effort to maintain such
     qualification (under Subchapter M or any successor or similar provision)
     and that it will notify Insurance Company immediately upon having a
     reasonable basis for believing that it has ceased to so qualify or that it
     might not so qualify in the future.
2.6  Insurance Company represents and agrees that the Contracts are currently,
     and at the time of issuance will be, treated as life insurance policies or
     annuity contracts, whichever is appropriate, under applicable provisions of
     the Code, and that it will make every effort to maintain such treatment and
     that it will notify the Fund and Dreyfus immediately upon having a
     reasonable basis for believing that the Contracts have ceased to be so
     treated or that they might not be so treated in the future.  Insurance
     Company agrees that any prospectus offering a Contract that is a "modified
     endowment contract," as that term is defined in Section 7702A of the Code,
     will identify such Contract as a modified endowment contract (or policy).
2.7  Fund agrees that the Fund's assets shall be managed and invested in a
     manner that complies with the requirements of Section 817(h) of the Code.
2.8  Insurance Company agrees that the Fund shall be permitted (subject to the
     other terms of this Agreement) to make
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      Series' shares available to other Participating Companies and
      contractholders.
2.9   Fund represents and warrants that any of its trustees, officers,
      employees, investment advisers, and other individuals/entities who deal
      with the money and/or securities of the Fund are and shall continue to be
      at all times covered by a blanket fidelity bond or similar coverage for
      the benefit of the Fund in an amount not less than that required by Rule
      17g-1 under the Act.  The aforesaid Bond shall include coverage for
      larceny-and embezzlement and shall be issued by a reputable bonding
      company.
2.10  Insurance Company represents and warrants that all of its employees and
      agents who deal with the money and/or securities of the Fund are and shall
      continue to be at all times cove red by a blanket fidelity bond or similar
      coverage in an amount not less than the coverage required to be maintained
      by the Fund.  The aforesaid Bond shall include coverage for larceny and
      embezzlement and shall be issued by a reputable bonding company.
2.11  Insurance Company agrees that Dreyfus shall be deemed a third party
      beneficiary under this Agreement and may enforce any and all rights
      conferred by virtue of this Agreement.
                                  ARTICLE III
                                  FUND SHARES
3.1  The Contracts funded through the Separate Account will provide for the
     investment of certain amounts in the Series' shares.
3.2  Fund agrees to make the shares of its Series available for purchase at the
     then applicable net asset value per share by Insurance Company and the
     Separate Account on each Business Day pursuant to rules of the Commission.
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fund may refuse to sell the shares of
     any Series to any person, or suspend or terminate the offering of the
     shares of any Series if such action is required by law or by regulatory
     authorities having jurisdiction or is, in the sole discretion of the Board,
     acting in good faith and in light of its fiduciary duties under federal and
     any applicable state laws, necessary and in the best interests of the
     shareholders of such Series.
3.3  Fund agrees that shares of the Fund will be sold only to Participating
     Companies and their separate accounts and to the general accounts of those
     Participating Companies and their affiliates.  No shares of any Series will
     be sold to the general public.
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3.4  Fund shall use its best efforts to provide closing net asset value,
     dividend and capital gain information for each Series available on a per-
     share and Series basis to Insurance Company by 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time on
     each Business Day by facsimile or other electronic means as agreed upon by
     both parties.  Any material errors in the calculation of net asset value,
     dividend and capital gain information shall be reported immediately upon
     discovery to Insurance Company.  Non-material errors will be corrected in
     the next Business Day's net asset value per share for the Series in
     question.
3.5  At the end of each Business Day, Insurance Company will use the
     information described in Sections 3.2 and 3.4 to calculate the Separate
     Account unit values for the day.  Using this unit value, Insurance Company
     will process the day's Separate Account transactions received by it by the
     close of trading on the-floor of the New York Stock Exchange (currently
     4:00 p.m. Eastern time)-to determine the net dollar amount of Series shares
     which will be purchased or redeemed at that day's closing net asset value
     per share for such Series.  The net purchase or redemption orders will be
     transmitted to the Fund by Insurance Company by 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on
     the Business Day next following Insurance Company's receipt of that
     information.  Subject to Sections 3.6 and 3.8, all purchase and redemption
     orders for Insurance Company's General Accounts shall be effected at the
     net asset value per share of the relevant Series next calculated after
     receipt of the order by the Fund or its Transfer Agent.
3.6  Fund appoints Insurance Company as its agent for the limited purpose of
     accepting orders for the purchase and redemption of shares of each Series
     for the Separate Account.  Fund will execute orders for any Series at the
     applicable net asset value per share determined as of the close of trading
     on the day of receipt of such orders by Insurance Company acting as agent
     ("effective trade date"), provided that the Fund receives notice of such
     orders by 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the next following Business Day and,
     if such orders request the purchase of Series shares, the conditions
     specified in Section 3.8, as applicable, are satisfied.  A redemption or
     purchase request for any Series that does not satisfy the conditions
     specified above and in Section 3.8, as applicable, will be effected at the
     net asset value computed for such Series on the Business Day immediately
     preceding the next following Business Day upon which such conditions have
     been satisfied.
3.7  Insurance Company will make its best efforts to notify Fund in advance of
     any unusually large purchase or redemption orders.
                                      -5-
 
3.8  If Insurance Company's order requests the purchase of Series shares,
     Insurance Company will pay for such purchases by wiring Federal Funds to
     Fund or its designated custodial account on the day the order is
     transmitted.  Insurance Company shall make all reasonable efforts to
     initiate such wire by 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time on the Business Day the Fund
     receives the notice of the order pursuant to Section 3.5. Fund will execute
     such orders at the applicable net asset value per share determined as of
     the close of trading on the effective trade date if Fund receives payment
     in Federal Funds by 12:00 midnight Eastern Time on the Business Day the
     Fund receives the notice of the order pursuant to Section 3.5. With respect
     to purchases of Money Market Portfolio shares, if applicable, if payment in
     Federal Funds for any purchase is not received or is received by the Fund
     after 12:00 noon Eastern Time on such Business Day, Insurance Company shall
     promptly, upon the Fund's request, reimburse the Fund for any charges,
     costs, fees, interest or other expenses incurred by the Fund in connection
     with any advances to, or borrowings or overdrafts by, the Fund, or any
     similar expenses incurred by the Fund, as a result of portfolio
     transactions effected by the Fund based upon such purchase request.  Fund
     will use its best efforts to transmit to Insurance Company the proceeds of
     all redemption orders placed by Insurance Company, by the close of business
     on the next Business Day following the effective trade date by wire
     transfer.  Should Fund need to extend the settlement on a trade, it will
     immediately contact Insurance Company to discuss such extension.  The above
     notwithstanding, if Insurance Company's order requests the redemption of a
     single Series' shares valued at or greater than $1 million dollars and such
     redemption would require the Series to dispose of portfolio securities or
     otherwise incur additional costs, the Fund will wire such amount to
     Insurance Company within seven calendar days of the order and will
     immediately notify Insurance Company of such delay.
3.9   Fund has the obligation to ensure that Series shares are registered with
      applicable federal agencies at all times.
3.10  Fund will confirm by facsimile or other agreed upon electronic means each
      purchase or redemption order made by Insurance Company.  Transfer of
      Series shares will be by book entry only.  No share certificates will be
      issued to Insurance Company.  Insurance Company will record shares ordered
      from Fund in an appropriate title for the corresponding account.
3.11  Fund shall credit Insurance Company with the appropriate number of shares.
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3.12  on each ex-dividend date of the Fund or, if not a Business Day, on the
      first Business Day thereafter, Fund shall communicate, by facsimile or
      other agreed upon electronic means, to Insurance Company the amount of
      dividend and capital gain, if any, per share of each Series.  All
      dividends and capital gains of any Series shall be automatically
      reinvested in additional shares of the relevant Series at the applicable
      net asset value per share of such Series on the payable date. - Fund
      shall, on the day after the payable date or, if not a Business Day, on the
      first Business Day thereafter, notify Insurance Company of the number of
      shares so issued.
                                   ARTICLE IV
                             STATEMENTS AND REPORTS
4.1  Fund shall provide monthly statements of account as of the end of each
     month for all of Insurance Company's accounts by the fifteenth (15th)
     Business Day of the following month and at year-end shall provide an annual
     statement providing year-end information.
4.2  Fund shall distribute to Insurance Company copies of the Fund's
     Prospectuses, proxy materials, notices, periodic reports and other printed
     materials (which the Fund customarily provides to its shareholders) in
     quantities as Insurance Company may reasonably request for distribution to
     each Contractholder and Participant.
4.3  Fund will provide to Insurance Company at least one complete copy of all
     registration statement, Prospectuses, reports, proxy statements, sales
     literature and other promotional materials, applications for exemptions,
     requests for noaction letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that
     relate to the Fund or its shares, contemporaneously with the filing of such
     document with the Commission or other regulatory authorities.
4.4  Insurance Company will provide to the Fund at least one copy of all
     registration statements, Prospectuses, reports, proxy statements, sales
     literature and other promotional materials, applications for exemptions,
     requests for noaction letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that
     relate to the Contracts or the Separate Account, contemporaneously with the
     filing of such document with the Commission.
                                      -7-
 
                                   ARTICLE V
                                    EXPENSES
5.1  The charge to the Fund for all expenses and costs of the Series, including
     but not limited to management fees, administrative expenses and legal and
     regulatory costs, will be made in the determination of the relevant Series'
     daily net asset value per share so as to accumulate to an annual charge at
     the rate set forth in the Fund's Prospectus.  Excluded from the expense
     limitation described herein shall be brokerage commissions and transaction
     fees and extraordinary expenses.
5.2  Except as provided in this Article V and, in particular in the next
     sentence, Insurance Company shall not be required to pay directly any
     expenses of the Fund or expenses relating to the distribution of its
     shares.  Insurance Company shall pay the following expenses or costs:
     a.   Such amount of the production expenses of any Fund materials,
          including the cost of printing the Fund's Prospectus, or marketing
          materials for prospective Insurance Company Contractholders and
          Participants as Dreyfus and Insurance Company shall agree from time to
          time.
     b.   Distribution expenses of any Fund materials or marketing materials for
          prospective Insurance Company Contractholders and Participants.
     C.   Distribution expenses of Fund materials or marketing materials for
          Insurance Company Contractholders and Participants.
     Except as provided herein, all other Fund expenses shall not be borne by
     Insurance Company.
                                   ARTICLE VI
                                EXEMPTIVE RELIEF
6.1  Insurance Company has reviewed a copy of the order dated December 23, 1987
     of the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 6(c) of the Act
     and, in particular, has reviewed the conditions to the relief set forth in
     the related Notice.  As set forth therein, Insurance Company agrees to
     report any potential or existing conflicts promptly to the Board, and in
     particular whenever contract voting instructions are disregarded, and
     recognizes that it will be responsible for assisting the Board in carrying
     out its responsibilities under such application.  Insurance
                                      -8-
 
     Company agrees to carry out such responsibilities with a view to the
     interests of existing Contractholders.
6.2  If a majority of the Board, or a majority of Disinterested Board Members,
     determines that a material irreconcilable conflict exists with regard to
     Contractholder investments in the Fund, the Board shall give prompt notice
     to all Participating Companies.  If the Board determines that Insurance
     Company is responsible for causing or creating said conflict, Insurance
     Company shall at its sole cost and expense, and to the extent reasonably
     practicable (as determined by a majority of the Disinterested Board
     Members), take such action as is necessary to remedy or eliminate the
     irreconcilable material conflict.  Such necessary action may include, but
     shall not be limited to:
     a.   Withdrawing the assets allocable to the Separate Account from the
          Series and reinvesting such assets in a different investment medium,
          or submitting the question of whether such segregation should be
          implemented to a vote of all affected Contractholders and, as
          appropriate, segregating the assets of any Contractholders that vote
          in favor of such segregation, or offering to the affected
          Contractholders the option of making such a change; and/or
     b.   Establishing a new registered management investment company.
6.3  If a material irreconcilable conflict arises as a result of a decision by
     Insurance Company to disregard Contractholder voting instructions and said
     decision represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote
     by all Contractholders having an interest in the Fund, Insurance Company
     may be required, at the Board's election, to withdraw the Separate
     Account's investment in the Fund and no charge or penalty will be imposed
     as a result of such withdrawal.
6.4  For the purpose of this Article, a majority of the Disinterested Board
     Members shall determine whether or not any proposed action adequately
     remedies any irreconcilable material conflict, but in no event will the
     Fund be required to bear the expense of establishing a new funding medium
     for any Contract.  Insurance Company shall not be required by this Article
     to establish a new funding medium for any Contract if an offer to do so has
     been declined by vote of a majority of the Contractholders materially
     adversely affected by the irreconcilable material conflict.
6.5  No action by Insurance Company taken or omitted, and no action by the
     Separate Account or the Fund taken or omitted
                                      -9-
 
     as a result of any act or failure to act by Insurance Company pursuant to
     this Article VI shall relieve Insurance Company of its obligations under,
     or otherwise affect the operation of, Article V.
                                  ARTICLE VII
                             VOTING OF FUND SHARES
7.1  Fund shall provide Insurance Company with copies at no cost to Insurance
     Company, of the Fund's proxy material, reports to shareholders and other
     communications to shareholders in such quantity as Insurance Company shall
     reasonably require for distributing to Contractholders or Participants; and
     Fund shall provide Insurance Company with five (5) Business Days notice of
     the existence of such materials prior to their receipt by Insurance
     Company.
     Insurance Company shall:
     (a)  solicit voting instructions from Contractholders or Participants on a
          timely basis and in accordance with applicable law;
     (b)  vote the Series shares in accordance with instructions received from
          Contractholders or Participants; and
     (c)  vote Series shares for which no instructions have been received in the
          same proportion as Series shares for which instructions have been
          received.
     Insurance Company agrees at all times to vote its General Account shares in
     the same proportion as Series shares for which instructions have been
     received from Contractholders or Participants.  Insurance Company further
     agrees to be responsible for assuring that voting Fund shares for the
     Separate Account is conducted in a manner consistent with the Fund's
     current exemptive relief.
7.2  Insurance Company agrees that it shall not, without the prior written
     consent of the Fund and Dreyfus, solicit, induce or encourage
     Contractholders to (a) change or supplement the Fund's current investment
     adviser or (b) change, modify, substitute, add to or delete the Fund from
     the current investment media for the Contracts.
                                      -10-
 
                                  ARTICLE VIII
                         MARKETING AND REPRESENTATIONS
8.1  The Fund or its underwriter shall periodically furnish Insurance Company
     with the following documents, in quantities as Insurance Company may
     reasonably request:
     a.   Current Prospectus and any supplements thereto;
     b.  other marketing materials.
     Expenses for the production of such documents shall be borne by Insurance
     Company in accordance with Section 5.2 of this Agreement.
8.2  Insurance Company shall designate certain persons or entities which shall
     have the requisite licenses to solicit applications for the sale of
     Contracts.  No representation is made as to the number or amount of
     Contracts that are to be sold by Insurance Company.  Insurance Company
     shall make reasonable efforts to market the Contracts and shall comply with
     all applicable federal and state laws in connection therewith.
8.3  Insurance Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the
     Fund, each piece of sales literature or other promotional material in which
     the Fund, its investment adviser or the administrator is named, at least
     six (6) Business Days prior to its use.  No such material shall be used
     unless the Fund approves such material.  Such approval (if given) must be
     in writing and shall be presumed not given if not received within ten
     Business Days after receipt of such material.  The Fund shall use all
     reasonable efforts to respond within ten days of receipt.
8.4  Insurance Company shall not give any information or make any
     representations or statements on behalf of the Fund or concerning the Fund
     or any Series in connection with the sale of the Contracts other than the
     information or representations contained in the registration statement or
     Prospectus, as may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or in
     reports or proxy statements for the Fund, or in sales literature or other
     promotional material approved by the Fund.
8.5  Fund shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to Insurance Company,
     each piece of the Fund's sales literature or other promotional material in
     which Insurance Company or the Separate Account is named, at least fifteen
     Business Days prior to its use.  No such material shall be used unless
     Insurance Company approves such material.  Such approval (if given) must be
     in writing and shall be presumed
                                      -11-
 
     not given if not received within ten Business Days after receipt of such
     material.  Insurance Company shall use all reasonable efforts to respond
     within ten days of receipt.
8.6  Fund shall not, in connection with the sale of Series shares, give any
     information or make any representations on behalf of Insurance Company or
     concerning Insurance Company,, the Separate Account, or the Contracts other
     than the information or representations contained in a registration
     statement or prospectus for the Contracts, as may be amended or
     supplemented from time to time, or in published reports for the Separate
     Account which are in the public domain or approved by Insurance Company for
     distribution to Contractholders or Participants, or in sales literature or
     other promotional material approved by Insurance Company.
8.7  For purposes of this Agreement, the phrase "sales literature or other
     promotional material" or words of similar import include, without
     limitation, advertisements (such as material published, or designed for
     use, in a newspaper, magazine or other periodical, radio, television,
     telephone or tape recording, videotape display, signs or billboards, motion
     pictures or other public media), sales literature (such as any written
     communication distributed or made generally available to customers or the
     public, including brochures, circulars, research reports, market letters,
     form letters, seminar texts, or reprints or excerpts of any other
     advertisement, sales literature, or published article), educational or
     training materials or other communications distributed or made generally
     available to some or all agents or employees, registration statements,
     prospectuses, statements of additional information, shareholder reports and
     proxy materials, and any other material constituting sales literature or
     advertising under National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. rules,
     the Act or the 1933 Act.
                                   ARTICLE IX
                                INDEMNIFICATION
9.1  Insurance Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund, Dreyfus,
     any sub-investment adviser of a Series, and their affiliates, and each of
     their directors, trustees, officers, employees, agents and each person, if
     any, who controls or is associated with any of the foregoing entities or
     persons within the meaning of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified
     Parties" for purposes of Section 9.1), against any and all losses, claims,
     damages or liabilities joint or several (including any investigative, legal
     and other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with, and any amounts
     paid in settlement of, any action, suit or proceeding or any claim
     asserted) for which the Indemnified
                                      -12-
 
     Parties may become subject, under the 1933 Act or otherwise, insofar as
     such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect to
     thereof) (i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
     untrue statement of any material fact contained in information furnished by
     Insurance Company for use in the registration statement or Prospectus or
     sales literature or advertisements of the Fund or with respect to the
     Separate Account or Contracts, or arise out of or are based upon the
     omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact required
     to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
     misleading; (ii) arise out of or as a result of conduct, statements or
     representations (other than statements or representations contained in the
     Prospectus and sales literature or advertisements of the Fund) of Insurance
     Company or its agents, with respect to the sale and distribution of
     Contracts for which Series' shares are an underlying- investment; (iii)
     arise out of the wrongful conduct of Insurance Company or persons under its
     control with respect to the sale or distribution of the Contracts or
     Series' shares; (iv) arise out of Insurance Company's incorrect calculation
     and/or untimely reporting of net purchase or redemption orders; or (v)
     arise out of any breach by Insurance Company of a material term of this
     Agreement or as a result of any failure by Insurance Company to provide the
     services and furnish the materials or to make any payments provided for in
     this Agreement.  Insurance Company will reimburse any Indemnified Party in
     connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage,
     liability or action; provided, however, that with respect to clauses (i)
     and (ii) above Insurance Company will not be liable in any such case to the
     extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is
     based upon any untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in
     such registration statement, prospectus, sales literature, or advertisement
     in conformity with written information furnished to Insurance Company by
     the Fund specifically for use therein.  This indemnity agreement will be in
     addition to any liability which Insurance Company may otherwise have.
9.2  The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Insurance Company and each
     of its directors, officers, employees, agents and each person, if any, who
     controls Insurance Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act against any
     losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which Insurance Company or any
     such director, officer, employee, agent or controlling person may become
     subject, under the 1933 Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims,
     damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) (1) arise out of or
     are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any
     material fact contained in the registration
                                      -13-
 
     statement or Prospectus or sales literature or advertisements of the Fund;
     (2) arise out of or are based upon the omission to state in the
     registration statement or Prospectus or sales literature or advertisements
     of the Fund any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
     make the statements therein not misleading; or (3) arise out of or are
     based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material
     fact contained in the registration statement or Prospectus or sales
     literature or advertisements with respect to the Separate Account or the
     Contracts and such statements were based on information provided to
     Insurance Company by the Fund; and the Fund will reimburse any legal or
     other expenses reasonably incurred by Insurance Company or any such
     director, officer, employee, agent or controlling person in connection with
     investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or
     action; provided, however, that the Fund will not be liable in any such
     case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises
     out of or is based upon an untrue statement or omission or alleged omission
     made in such Registration Statement, Prospectus, sales literature or
     advertisements in conformity with written information furnished to the Fund
     by Insurance Company specifically for use therein.  This indemnity
     agreement will be in addition to any liability which the Fund may otherwise
     have.
9.3  The Fund shall indemnify and hold Insurance Company harmless against any
     and all liability, loss, damages, costs or expenses which Insurance Company
     may incur, suffer or be required to pay due to the Fund's (1) incorrect
     calculation of the daily net asset value, dividend rate or capital gain
     distribution rate of a Series; (2) incorrect reporting of the daily net
     asset value, dividend rate or capital gain distribution rate; and (3)
     untimely reporting of the net asset value, dividend rate or capital gain
     distribution rate; provided that the Fund shall have no obligation to
     indemnify and hold harmless Insurance Company if the incorrect calculation
     or incorrect or untimely reporting was the result of incorrect information
     furnished by Insurance company or information furnished untimely by
     Insurance Company or otherwise as a result of or relating to a breach of
     this Agreement by Insurance Company.
9.4  Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Article of notice
     of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim
     in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this
     Article, notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof.  The
     omission to so notify the indemnifying party will not relieve the
     indemnifying party from any liability under this Article IX, except to the
     extent that the omission results in a failure of actual notice to the
     indemnifying party and
                                      -14-
 
     such indemnifying party is damaged solely as a result of the failure to
     give such notice.  In case any such action is brought against any
     indemnified party, and it notified the indemnifying party of the
     commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to
     participate therein and, to the extent that it may wish, assume the defense
     thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party, and to the
     extent that the indemnifying party has given notice to such effect to the
     indemnified party and is performing its obligations under this Article, the
     indemnifying party shall not be liable for any legal or other expenses
     subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the
     defense thereof, other than reasonable costs of investigation.
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, in any such proceeding, any indemnified
     party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and
     expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party
     unless (i) the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have
     mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) the named parties
     to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the
     indemnifying party and the indemnified party and representation of both
     parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or
     potential differing interests between them.  The indemnifying party shall
     not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its
     written consent.
     A successor by law of the parties to this Agreement shall be entitled to
     the benefits of the indemnification contained in this Article IX.
9.5  Insurance Company shall indemnify and hold the Fund, Dreyfus and any sub-
     investment adviser of a Series harmless against any tax liability incurred
     by the Fund under Section 851 of the Code arising from purchases or
     redemptions by Insurance Company's General Accounts or the account of its
     affiliates.
                                   ARTICLE X
                          COMMENCEMENT AND TERMINATION
10.1 This Agreement shall be effective as of the date hereof and shall continue
     in force until terminated in accordance with the provisions herein.
10.2 This Agreement shall terminate without penalty as to one or more Series at
     the option of the terminating party:
     a.   At the option of Insurance Company or the Fund at any time from the
          date hereof upon 180 days' notice, unless a shorter time is agreed to
          by the parties;
                                      -15-
 
     b.   At the option of Insurance Company, if shares of any Series are not
          reasonably available to meet the requirements of the Contracts as
          determined by Insurance Company.  Prompt notice of election to
          terminate shall be furnished by Insurance Company, said termination to
          be effective ten days after receipt of notice unless the Fund makes
          available a sufficient number of shares to meet the requirements of
          the Contracts within said ten-day period;
     c.   At the option of Insurance Company, upon the institution of formal
          proceedings against the Fund by the Commission, National Association
          of securities Dealers or any other regulatory body, the expected or
          anticipated ruling, judgment or outcome of which would, in Insurance
          Company's reasonable judgment, materially impair- the Fund's ability
          to meet and perform the Fund's obligations and duties hereunder.
          Prompt notice of election to terminate shall be furnished by Insurance
          Company with said termination to be effective upon receipt of notice;
     d.   At the option of the Fund, upon the institution of formal proceedings
          against Insurance Company by the Commission, National Association of
          Securities Dealers or any insurance regulatory body, the expected or
          anticipated ruling, judgment or outcome of which would, in the Fund's
          reasonable judgment, materially impair Insurance Company's ability to
          meet and perform Insurance Company's obligations and duties hereunder.
          Prompt notice of election to terminate shall be furnished by the Fund
          with said termination to be effective upon receipt of notice;
     e.   At the option of the Fund, if the Fund shall determine, in its sole
          judgment reasonably exercised in good faith, that Insurance Company
          has suffered a material adverse change in its business or financial
          condition or is the subject of material adverse publicity and such
          material adverse change or material adverse publicity is likely to
          have a material adverse impact upon the business and operation of the
          Fund or Dreyfus, the Fund shall notify Insurance Company in writing of
          such determination and its intent to terminate this Agreement, and
          after considering the actions taken by Insurance Company and any other
          changes in circumstances since the giving of such notice, such
          determination of the Fund shall continue to apply on the sixtieth
          (60th) day following the giving of such notice, which sixtieth day
          shall be the effective date of termination;
                                      -16-
 
     f.   Upon termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Fund
          and Dreyfus or its successors unless Insurance Company specifically
          approves the selection of a new Fund investment adviser.  The Fund
          shall promptly furnish notice of such termination to Insurance
          Company;
     g.   In the event the Fund's shares are not registered, issued or sold in
          accordance with applicable federal law, or such law precludes the use
          of such shares as the underlying investment medium of Contracts issued
          or to be issued by Insurance Company.  Termination shall be effective
          immediately upon such occurrence without notice;
     h.   At the option of the Fund upon a determination by the Board in good
          faith that it is no longer advisable and in the best interests of
          shareholders for the Fund to continue to operate pursuant to this
          Agreement.  Termination pursuant to this Subsection (h) shall be
          effective upon notice by the Fund to Insurance Company of such
          termination;
     i.   At the option of the Fund if the Contracts cease to qualify as annuity
          contracts or life insurance policies, as applicable, under the Code,
          or if the Fund reasonably believes that the Contracts may fail to so
          qualify;
     j.   At the option of either party to this Agreement, upon another party's
          breach of any material provision of this Agreement;
     k.   At the option of the Fund, if the Contracts are not registered, issued
          or sold in accordance with applicable federal and/or state law; or
     l.   Upon assignment of this Agreement, unless made with the written
          consent of the non-assigning party.
     Any such termination pursuant to Section 10.2a, 10.2d, 10.2e, 10.2f or
     10.2k herein shall not affect the operation of Article V of this Agreement.
     Any termination of this not affect the operation of Article IX of this
     Agreement.
10.3 Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement pursuant hereof, the Fund
     and Dreyfus may, at the option of the Fund, continue to make available this
     additional Series shares for so long as the Fund desires pursuant to the
     terms and conditions of Agreement as provided below, for all Contracts in
     effect on the effective date of
                                      -17-
 
     termination of this Agreement (hereinafter referred to as "Existing
     Contracts").  Specifically, without limitation, if the Fund or Dreyfus so
     elects to make additional Series shares available, the owners of the
     Existing Contracts or Insurance Company, whichever shall have legal
     authority to do so, shall be permitted to reallocate investments in the
     Series, redeem investments in the Fund and/or invest in the Fund upon the
     making of additional purchase payments under the Existing Contracts.  In
     the event of a termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.2
     hereof, the Fund and Dreyfus, as promptly as is practicable under the
     circumstances, shall notify Insurance Company whether Dreyfus and the Fund
     will continue to make Series shares available after such termination.  If
     Series shares continue to be made available after such termination, the
     provisions of this Agreement shall remain in effect and thereafter either
     the Fund or Insurance Company may terminate the Agreement, as so continued
     pursuant to this Section 10.3, upon prior written notice to the other
     party, such notice to be for a period that is reasonable under the
     circumstances but, if given by the Fund, need not be for more than six
     months.
                                   ARTICLE XI
                                   AMENDMENTS
11.1 Any other changes in the terms of this Agreement shall be made by agreement
     in writing between Insurance Company and Fund.
                                      -18-
 
                                  ARTICLE XII
                                     NOTICE
12.1 Each notice required by this Agreement shall be given by certified mail,
     return receipt requested, to the appropriate parties at the following
     addresses:
     Insurance Company:   First Providian Life and Health Insurance Company
                          ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
                          ▇.▇. ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
                          ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
                          Attn:  ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
     with copies to:      Marketing Director
                          First Providian Life and Health Insurance Company
                          ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
                          ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
     Fund:                Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund
                          c/o Premier Mutual Fund Services, Inc. 
                          ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, 
                          ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
                          ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
                          Attn:  ▇▇▇▇ ▇.-▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
     with copies to:      The Dreyfus Corporation
                          ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
                          ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
                          Attn:  ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
                                 ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
                          Stroock & Stroock & ▇▇▇▇▇
                          ▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
                          ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
                          Attn:  ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇, Esq.
                                 ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
     Notice shall be deemed to be given on the date of receipt by the addresses
     as evidenced by the return receipt.
                                  ARTICLE XIII
                                 MISCELLANEOUS
12.2 This Agreement has been executed on behalf of the Fund by the undersigned
     officer of the Fund in his capacity as an officer of the Fund.  The
     obligations of this Agreement shall only be binding upon the assets and
     property of the Fund and shall not be binding upon any Trustee, officer or
     shareholder of the Fund individually.
                                      -19-
 
                                  ARTICLE XIV
                                      LAW
13.1 This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the internal laws of
     the State of New York, without giving effect to principles of conflict of
     laws.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement to be duly
executed and attested as of the date first above written.
                                       FIRST PROVIDIAN LIFE AND HEALTH
                                         INSURANCE COMPANY
                                       By:  /s/ ??????????
                                          -----------------------------
                                       Its:   Senior Vice President
                                           ----------------------------
Attest:   /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
       ------------------------
                                       DREYFUS VARIABLE INVESTMENT FUND
                                       By:   /s/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
                                          -----------------------------
                                          ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
                                          Vice President and Assistant
                                          Secretary
Attest:  /s/ ??????????
       ------------------------
                                      -20-
 
                                   SCHEDULE 1
Name of Series:
---------------
Growth and Income Portfolio
Quality Bond Portfolio
                                      -21-