Why Term Life Insurance is a Smart Investment?
People usually invest primarily to fulfil life goals, beat inflation, and secure their family’s financial future. Regarding the latter, purchasing assets is not the only solution.
You should have an investment that can provide financial coverage to your loved ones in your absence. Purchasing a term insurance plan can be an ideal solution in this regard.
Are you wondering why term insurance is a smart investment?
Keep reading to find out!
Table of Contents
What is Term Insurance?
Term insurance is a type of life insurance policy that enables you to provide financial coverage to your loved ones in your absence. It provides a death benefit to your nominees in case of your unfortunate demise during the policy tenure, ensuring they can cover their expenses without having to look for an immediate alternative income source.
Also, you can choose a payout option based on their income needs and opt for riders like critical illness riders, accidental death benefits, waiver of premium in case of disability, etc., that provide coverage for circumstances not covered under the base plan.
Types of Term Insurance in India
1. Level Term Plans
This is a basic term life insurance plan that provides a death benefit to the nominees in case the holder dies within the policy period.2. Increasing Term Plans
Increasing term plans allow the holder to increase the sum assured at a predetermined rate at specific life milestones within the policy period. The increasing life coverage helps ensure that the nominees have enough funds to cover their expenses in the future, even with the effects of inflation.
However, such plans usually have higher premiums than level term policies.
3. Decreasing Term Plans
As the name suggests, decreasing term plans offer a reduced sum assured at a predetermined rate, with an increase in the holder’s age. Such policies function on the principle that as the individual’s age increases, their financial liabilities tend to decline, thus requiring a lower sum assured.
These plans are ideal for people who have an outstanding loan or mortgage that they expect to pay off soon.
4. Return of Premium Plans
Return of premium term plans enables the policyholder to repay all the premiums paid as a maturity benefit when they survive the policy term.5. Convertible Term Plans
Such plans enable the holder to convert their current policy to another type of insurance plan later. It benefits individuals who expect their financial liabilities to change in the upcoming years.
For example, an individual with a convertible term plan can convert it into a whole life plan to get coverage for their entire lifetime.
Why is Term Insurance a Smart Investment?
Following are some of the major reasons why financial experts consider term insurance a smart investment:
Offers Financial Security Against Unfortunate Events
One major reason term insurance is a smart investment is that it provides financial security to your loved ones in case of your unfortunate demise within the policy period.
This ensures that your nominees have adequate funds to cover their expenses even in your absence, safeguarding their financial well-being.
Provides Life Coverage at the Lowest Price
Term life plans have lower premiums than other life insurance products. The entire premium is used to provide life coverage, making them the most affordable way to get life insurance.
Serves as Income Replacement
If you are the only earning member in your family, term insurance plans can be an income replacement in your absence. The death benefit enables the nominees to cover their living expenses and other expenses without looking for an alternative source of income.
Offers Additional Coverage Options
There are different types of riders in term insurance, enabling you to get coverage for circumstances not included in your basic policy. This allows you to save on the costs of procuring a standalone policy in exchange for paying slightly higher premiums.
Facilitates Tax Deductions
As per Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, you can claim a maximum deduction of ₹1.5 Lakh within a financial year on your term insurance premium payments. Also, the death and maturity benefits are completely exempt from taxation under Section 10(10D).
Allows Conversion to Permanent Insurance
Convertible term insurance plans enable you to transform your policy into a permanent life insurance plan, allowing you to get coverage for your entire lifetime. You can also convert your plan into other life insurance products based on your financial requirements.
Ensures Financial Protection for Liabilities
If you have any liabilities at the time of your demise, like a loan, outstanding debt, credit card bills, etc., your nominees can use the death benefit to cover such expenses.
Provides Flexibility in Policy Duration and Coverage
You can choose a policy term and coverage amount as per your family’s financial needs and life goals. Also, you can opt for an increasing or decreasing sum assured based on your life coverage requirements.
Who Should Consider Term Life Insurance?
The types of people who should consider opting for term life insurance are:
Things to Keep in Mind When Buying Term Insurance
Here are some essential pointers you must keep in mind when purchasing term insurance:
- Choose a policy duration and premium payment tenure based on your financial goals.
- Ensure that you opt for an adequate sum, taking into account inflation and your family’s future financial needs.
- Opt for riders that match your coverage requirements.
- Go for a premium payment frequency that allows you to make timely payments without straining your finances.
- Select a payout option based on your family’s income needs.
- Check the insurer’s claim settlement ratio and reputation before purchasing the policy.
FAQs about Why Term Insurance is a Smart Investment
Is buying term insurance a smart investment?
Is it worth investing in a term plan?
What are the benefits of investing in term insurance?
How does term insurance compare to other investment options?
What is a term insurance investment plan?
How can I invest in term insurance?
What are the returns on term insurance investments?
Can I use term insurance as an investment for retirement?
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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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