Term Life Insurance

Term insurance is generally overlooked in comparison to other insurance products. The main reason for this is the belief that term insurance plans do not offer significant returns or any additional benefits besides the Sum Assured on the policyholder’s demise.

However, there are several advantages of buying a term insurance policy. These include:

Financial security - Term insurance plans are an excellent way to build a financial safety net. This is especially true in today’s world, as such a plan makes provision for the financial security of the policyholder’s dependents in the event of his/her demise.

Basic insurance product - Instead of opting for a plan with a host of other add-ons and ending up paying a high premium, opt for a term insurance plan with a fixed, affordable premium for almost the same features.

Greater returns - Term plans also fit everyone’s needs. A term insurance plan is one where the benefit received is much more than the sum invested, resulting in higher returns without the hassle of having to manage investment funds. Regular plans as well as TROP plans offer as much as 105% return on premiums paid as a benefit upon maturity.

Sufficient coverage - You can choose the sum assured under term insurance policies so that it offers you sufficient coverage. Financial advisors are of the opinion that sufficient cover is equal to 10 times your annual income. It should be noted that inadequate coverage defeats the purpose of being insured. Along the same lines, it is important that you review your insurance cover and identify areas where you can cut down, so that you are not over-insured.

Survival benefits - While a regular term insurance plan does not have any survival benefits, a number of insurers have designed plans, i.e., Term Return of Premium Plans (TROPs), that offer survival benefits in the form of premium refunds at maturity.

Policy term - Term insurance plans offer you coverage for a fixed term. This indicates that you can take term insurance for a fixed duration wherein your family is financially protected. Following this, you can retire comfortably.

Low claim rejection - Claim rejections are observed to be lower if a life insurance policy has been active for more than 10 years. Hence, it is ideal to buy term insurance to ensure that your claims are honoured.

Flexibility - Most term plans offer you the flexibility of buying the policy online or offline. In addition to this, many insurers do not insist on health check-ups if the sum assured under the plan is Rs.50 lakh or less.

Riders - Term plans can be enhanced through the use of riders that offer extra protection. These riders can be bought from the insurance company at nominal costs. Some of the riders available under term plans are accidental death benefit, critical illness, partial or permanent disability, waiver of premium, etc.

Flexible payment options - Term insurance policies offer flexible premium payment options, allowing policyholders to choose a payment plan based on their convenience. Premiums can be either limited pay, single pay or regular pay. Policyholders who choose limited or regular pay plans can pay their premiums either monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, or annually.

Choice of plan - A number of insurers offer policyholders a choice when it comes to the type of plan they wish to opt for. Policyholders can choose between single or joint life plans, depending on their need. They can thus choose to extend coverage for dependent spouses or choose a plan exclusively for the breadwinner of the family.

Tax benefits - Last, but not the least, premiums paid towards a term plan is eligible for tax benefits under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. The death benefit received by the nominee under the plan is eligible for tax deductions under Section 10(10D) as well.