Term Insurance Plan for Parents

What is Term Insurance for Parents?

Key Facts about Term Insurance for Parents

Here are the key features of term life insurance for parents that make it a popular choice for many individuals:

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Term insurance ensures parents won't worry about financial stability if life throws unexpected curveballs.
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Term insurance typically has lower premiums since it is pure life cover without any investment component.
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With term insurance, you can find policies specifically designed for senior citizens. These policies consider everything from their age to potential health issues.
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Term insurance for parents offers flexibility in terms of payment options and coverage. Whether adjusting the policy term or choosing between various payout options, you can customise the plan to suit your parents' needs best.
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Term insurance can also help in unavoidable situations, like critical or terminal illnesses. If there’s a family history of such illnesses, getting a term plan with critical illness coverage can ensure financial support during tough times.

7 Reasons Every Parent Needs a Term Life Insurance

Who Should Buy a Term Insurance for Parents?

The essence of term insurance lies in the fact that it provides financial coverage. So, anyone who has dependents and financial liabilities, must consider buying a term plan. 

However, in case of term plan of parents, the following categories of parents should consider buying a term plan:

Parents with Minor Children

Kids, till the time they are studying and not earning, are dependent on their parents. Thus, all parents who have minor children who are yet to start earning must have an insurance sufficient to cover their financial liabilities, including the educational goals for the child.

senior parents with debts

Senior Parents with Debts

Even in cases when the children are grown up, their education goals over and have started earning, parents might still have liabilities. There might be an outstanding loan, or they might want to buy a new car or house, whose liability they don't wish to leave to their dependents once they are gone. Hence, they can opt for a term plan that covers their debts in case of their unfortunate demise.

Senior Parents with Dependents

Senior parents who are done with their children’s financial responsibilities might also need a term plan to cover their spouse or a dependent family member, such as parents or siblings, who might be affected financially in case of their demise.

Parents with Healthcare Costs

As parents age, they are more likely to face medical issues, and rising treatment costs can be challenging to manage. A term insurance plan for parents can help cover these expenses. You can add riders, such as critical illness or disability coverage, to the base plan to enhance the protection. This ensures your parents can manage their healthcare needs without financial stress, even in your absence.

Benefits of Term Insurance for Early Buyers

Term insurance plans offer several benefits beyond those specifically for parents:

Simplicity and Affordability

Term insurance plans are straightforward to understand. Unlike other life insurance plans that might have complex features and higher costs, term plans provide pure life coverage without additional investment components. This simplicity makes them accessible and affordable for a wide range of people.

Cost-Effective

The primary advantage of term insurance is its cost-effectiveness. Policyholders can secure a substantial amount of life coverage by paying a relatively low premium. This means that even with a modest budget, one can ensure financial protection for their family in case of an untimely demise.

Death Benefits

Having term insurance for your parents provides a sense of financial security. The beneficiary will receive a lump sum if you pass away during the policy term. This money can help cover expenses like debts, future savings, and daily living costs.

Flexibility to Add Riders

With rising medical costs, it’s important to plan for future expenses. Term life insurance for parents allows you to add extra coverage options, known as riders, to the base plan. These can include critical illness, disability, and accidental death riders. You can add more than one rider to enhance your coverage.

Tax Benefits

Term insurance plans come with attractive tax benefits. Under Section 80C of the Indian Income Tax Act, 1961, the premiums paid for these plans are eligible for tax deductions. This means policyholders can reduce their taxable income by the premium paid, leading to potential tax savings.

Eligibility Criteria for a Term Insurance Plan for Parents in India

To understand the eligibility criteria for a term insurance plan for parents in India, it's important to look into the specific requirements that most companies follow:

Criteria Details
Age Limit Typically between 18 to 65 years. 
Medical Examination Depending on the parents' age and the policy amount, a medical examination might be necessary to determine their health status.
Residency Status The person being insured typically needs to be a resident of India. NRIs can also apply for term insurance for their parents living in India.
Occupation Certain high-risk occupations may affect eligibility and premiums.

How to Choose the Right Term Insurance Plan for Parents?

Factors to Consider When Buying Term Insurance for Parents

Choosing the right term insurance for your parents involves a few key steps:

Age and Health of Parents

Most insurers have an age limit for purchasing term insurance (typically between 65 and 70 years). Your parents' health will also determine eligibility and premium costs. The premiums could be higher if they have pre-existing health conditions, or some insurers may not provide coverage.

Sum Assured

This is the amount that the beneficiaries will receive in case of the policyholder's death. It’s important to choose a sum that can cover major expenses such as loans, healthcare, and essential living expenses.

Policy Term

Choose a term that aligns with your parent’s financial responsibilities. If they are still working, you may want coverage for as long as they contribute financially. If they are retired, a shorter-term policy that covers significant upcoming expenses may suffice.

Premiums

Make sure the premiums are affordable for the long term. Term insurance policies typically have fixed premiums throughout the term, so plan your budget accordingly.

Riders and Add-ons

Many insurers offer riders that enhance the coverage of a term insurance policy. Some useful riders to consider include critical illness cover, accidental death benefits, and waiver of premium riders. These can provide additional benefits in case of unexpected medical or accidental events.

Claim Settlement Ratio of the Insurer

This indicates the likelihood of the insurance company settling a claim. Opt for insurers with a high claim settlement ratio, as this can give you confidence that your family won’t face delays or difficulties when making a claim.

Term Insurance vs Other Insurance for Parents

While term insurance is designed to provide life coverage for a fixed period, there are other forms of insurance you can consider for your parents:

Feature Term Insurance Whole Life Insurance Endowment Policy Health Insurance
Coverage Duration Fixed term (e.g., 10, 20, 30 years) Lifetime Fixed term (with maturity benefit) Annual (renewable)
Premiums Lower premiums Higher premiums Higher premiums Varies based on coverage
Death Benefit Paid if death occurs during the term Paid upon death Paid upon death or maturity Not applicable
Maturity Benefit None Cash value accumulation Sum assured plus bonuses Not applicable
Investment Component None Yes (cash value) Yes (savings and bonuses) None
Purpose Financial protection for a specific period Lifetime financial protection and savings Savings and protection Coverage for medical expenses
Flexibility Less flexible (fixed term) More flexible (can borrow against cash value) Less flexible (fixed term and maturity) Flexible (can adjust coverage annually)

FAQs about Term Insurance for Parents

As an earning adult, can I buy a term insurance for my parents?

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You can buy a term insurance for your parents provided that their age falls within the policy limitations and other policy terms. However, the premium for term insurance at an older age is much higher as compared to the younger age. 

Can I buy term insurance for my mother?

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Yes. Depending on the policy terms, anyone can buy a term insurance irrespective of fact that the person is earning or not earning. However, as the age grows, the policy limitations increase. You must check the same with your insurer. 

What is the best time to buy a term insurance for parents?

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The lesser the age, the lesser the premium. Hence, parents must buy a term insurance as soon as they start family planning. However, as an earning adult, if you are planning to buy a term plan for your parents due to any reasons, you must buy it as soon as possible because with age, not just premiums but age-related illnesses might also increase, making it difficult to buy a term plan.

What is the maximum age limit for buying term insurance for parents?

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The maximum age limit for buying term insurance for parents varies with different insurers, but it is generally around 60-65 years at the time of policy initiation.

What factors affect the premium for parents' term insurance?

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Premiums for parents' term insurance are influenced by several factors, including the age of the parents, sum assured, policy tenure, health status, and whether the policy includes any additional riders.

Can I include riders in my parents' term insurance plan?

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Yes, you can include riders like critical illness cover, accidental death benefit, and waiver of premium in your parents' term insurance plan for a nominal extra premium, thus enhancing its coverage. 

What happens if my parents have pre-existing health conditions?

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Pre-existing health conditions must be disclosed accurately at the time of policy purchase. This will avoid any hassle during the claim process. There might be exclusion or higher premium due to pre-existing conditions during the claim process.

Can my parents' term insurance policy be converted into a whole life policy?

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Some term insurance policies offer a conversion option that allows the policy to be converted into a whole life cover insurance or other permanent life insurance without the need for additional medical examinations, depending on the terms and conditions of the policy. These policies are known as convertible term plans and are offered by very few insurers.

What should I consider before buying term insurance for my parents?

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Before buying term insurance for your parents, consider their current health status, financial needs, existing insurance coverage, the policy's affordability, and the insurance company's claim settlement ratio to ensure that it aligns with your objectives and their requirements.

What are the tax benefits of parent's term insurance?

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Term insurance premiums paid for parents are eligible for tax deductions under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, up to a limit of ₹1.5 lakh per year. Additionally, any death benefit the nominee receives is tax-free under Section 10(10D).

Should I take term insurance for my parents?

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Taking term insurance for your parents can be a good idea if you are financially dependent on them or want to ensure that their debts and final expenses are covered. It provides financial security and peace of mind.

What are the advantages of term insurance plans for my parents in India?

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Term insurance is generally cheaper than other types of life insurance. It provides a lump sum amount to cover debts, medical expenses, and other financial needs in case of the insured’s death.

Are there any restrictions on who can purchase term insurance for parents?

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Yes, you can purchase term insurance for your parents, but they must consent and participate in the application process. You also need to prove an insurable interest, meaning you would suffer financially if they passed away.

Can parents be designated as beneficiaries in a term insurance policy?

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Yes, parents can be designated as beneficiaries in a term insurance policy. Depending on your preference, you can name them as primary or contingent beneficiaries.

At what age is it most advantageous to purchase term insurance?

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It is most advantageous to purchase term insurance in your 20s or 30s. At this age, premiums are lower because insurance companies consider younger individuals lower risks.

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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