Should I Surrender My Term Insurance Policy?

Is It a Good Idea To Surrender a Term Insurance Policy?

Why Did You Buy Term Insurance in The First Place?

Effects on the Insurance Premium After Surrendering a Term Plan

As stated above, if you surrender your term policy, it will become more expensive to avail yourself of another one. Here is a hypothetical example to help you understand better.

Parameters Term Plan Purchased at age 25 Term Plan Purchased at age 35
Life Cover ₹2 Crore ₹2 Crore
Tenure 35 years 35 years
Annual Premium ₹7,432 ₹9,710

Also, suppose you develop any medical condition after surrendering your term policy. In that case, it becomes very difficult for the insurer to estimate your increased health risk when you avail yourself of another plan in the future, leaving you underinsured.

Benefits of Term Plans You Shouldn’t Lose Out

Following are some of the benefits of term plans that you should not lose out by surrendering your policy:

Coverage for Critical Ailments

In case you are the only earning member in your family, and you get affected by a critical disease, the impact is both physical and financial. Term insurance policies enable you to get financial protection from such ailments by offering riders and add-ons that provide a payout in case you get diagnosed with a critical disease. 

Monthly Income Benefit for Your Family

Some term insurance plans enable you to provide monthly benefits to your family in case of your unfortunate death. They provide a monthly amount to your nominees, enabling them to cater to the household and other crucial expenses without depending upon an alternative income source. 

Tax Deductions Under Section 80C

The premium amount that you pay for a term insurance plan can earn you a tax deduction of up to ₹1.5 Lakh within a financial year. This is a significant reason why you should not surrender your term insurance policy.

A Quick Snapshot of the Consequences of Discontinuing Your Term Insurance

FAQs about Surrendering Term Insurance Policies

Why should I avoid surrendering my term insurance plan?

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You should avoid surrendering your term insurance policy as it results in immediate loss of life coverage. Also, suppose you avail of another term plan down the line. In that case, the premium amount gets significantly higher, and the insurer often needs to make sure to estimate your required coverage, leaving you underinsured.

What are the financial consequences of surrendering a term insurance policy?

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You lose the entire premiums paid unless your term plan has a surrender benefit. The policy's life cover and other benefits are removed immediately. Also, if you plan to get another term insurance policy, you will need to pay higher premiums.

Can I regain coverage at the same premium after surrendering a term insurance policy?

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No, when you reapply for a plan after surrendering a term insurance plan, the insurer calculates the premium amount and sum assured based on your current age, health stats and mortality rate. Thus, it is impossible to regain coverage at the same premium after surrendering a term insurance policy.

What are some alternatives to surrendering my term insurance plan?

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Instead of surrendering your term plan, you can choose a decreasing term policy that offers lower premiums and decreasing coverage as the policy period nears the end of its tenure. You can also add a Return of Premium rider to your existing term plan to repay the premiums paid after surviving the policy period.

What misconceptions do people have about surrendering a term insurance policy?

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People often have the misconception that they cannot surrender a term insurance plan, but the IRDA enables term plans to be surrendered at any time.

Also, individuals think they can regain coverage at the same premium after surrendering a term policy. Conversely, the insurer calculates the policy premium based on the applicant’s age, health stats, and mortality rates, often leading to higher premiums.

Is there any flexibility in term insurance policies to adjust coverage?

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Yes, you can increase the coverage of your existing plan by making riders available. Also, you can decrease coverage by opting for a decreasing term plan that reduces the coverage as the policy ends its tenure.

How does surrendering a term insurance policy affect long-term financial planning?

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When you surrender your term insurance plan, you need to pay higher premiums in case you wish to obtain another term policy later. This may affect your long-term financial planning, as the premium amount at that time may strain your monthly finances.

Is it actually a good idea to surrender your term insurance policy?

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No, surrendering your term plan is not a good idea as it removes your life cover, nullifies your premium payments to date, and makes it much more expensive to obtain another term plan in the future.

Disclaimer

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  • This is an informative article provided on 'as is' basis for awareness purpose only and not intended as a professional advice. The content of the article is derived from various open sources across the Internet. Digit Life Insurance is not promoting or recommending any aspect in the article or its correctness. Please verify the information and your requirement before taking any decisions.
  • All the figures reflected in the article are for illustrative purposes. The premium for Coverage that one buys depends on various factors including customer requirements, eligibility, age, demography, insurance provider, product, coverage amount, term and other factors
  • Tax Benefits, if applicable depend on the Tax Regime opted by the individual and the applicable tax provision. Please consult your Tax consultant before making any decision.

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