Simplifying Life Insurance in India
Should I Surrender My Term Insurance Policy?
The simple answer to this question is no. After the 2020 pandemic, several families have realized the effects of the unfortunate death of their earning members the hard way. This serves as a reality check for us to consider the sheer importance of term life insurance and how it can help us financially navigate the uncertainties of human life.
So, if you are thinking, should I surrender my term policy, let us give you a comprehensive idea of why you should not.
Keep reading!
Table of Contents
Is It a Good Idea To Surrender a Term Insurance Policy?
No, surrendering a term insurance plan is never a good idea. When you do so, you lose the life coverage offered by the policy and are not liable to receive any financial support in case of an unfortunate mishap in the future.
Now, if you are considering surrendering your term plan to reduce pressure on your finances, it will end up disrupting your long-term savings. This is because, as you age, your health stats decline and the mortality rate increases, which tends to shoot up the premium amount.
Thus, you not only lose the maturity benefit for the policy for which you have already paid the premiums but also have to pay more to avail yourself of a term plan in the future.
Why Did You Buy Term Insurance in The First Place?
When you are wondering whether to surrender your term policy, consider for a moment why you purchased it in the first place. Term plans are some of the most pocket-friendly insurance policies in the market, offering high coverage at low premium amounts.
They provide a death benefit, enabling your family to have financial support in case of your unfortunate demise. Also, these policies come with riders like Accidental Death Benefits Rider, Critical Illness Rider, Accidental Total and Permanent Disability Rider, etc., that enable you to get financial coverage in case of a life-threatening disease or a life-altering accident.
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.
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
Here is a quick recap of the consequences you have to face in case you discontinue your term insurance plan:
- Immediate loss of life coverage.
- Significant increase in the premium amount in case you avail of another term policy in the future.
- For any medical condition before applying for the second policy, the insurer may not be able to provide adequate coverage.
- Loss of coverage for critical ailments and life-altering accidents.
- No additional tax benefits.
You can also consider surrendering your term policy regarding using the plan if you survive the policy tenure. In this regard, you can opt for a return of premium add-on to get the total premiums you paid as a survival benefit.
FAQs about Surrendering Term Insurance Policies
Why should I avoid surrendering my term insurance plan?
What are the financial consequences of surrendering a term insurance policy?
Can I regain coverage at the same premium after surrendering a term insurance policy?
What are some alternatives to surrendering my term insurance plan?
What misconceptions do people have about surrendering a term insurance policy?
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?
How does surrendering a term insurance policy affect long-term financial planning?
Is it actually a good idea to surrender your term insurance policy?
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Disclaimer
- 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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