Term Life Insurance with Waiver of Premium Rider

What is Waiver of Premium Rider in Term Insurance?

Key Insights about Waiver of Premium Rider in Term Life Insurance

Here are some key insights about the waiver of premium rider in term life insurance:

Aspect Details
Purpose Ensures the policy remains active if you can't pay premiums due to disability or critical illness.
Activation Activates after a waiting period (e.g., six months); premiums paid during this period may be reimbursed.
Coverage Covers disabilities from accidents or illnesses.
Exclusions Excludes pre-existing conditions, self-inflicted injuries, and substance abuse.
Limitations May limit the duration of the waiver (e.g., up to age 60 or 65).

How Does a Waiver of Premium Rider Work in Term Insurance?

A waiver of premium rider is an optional add-on to an term insurance policy that ensures your policy remains active even if you can’t make premium payments due to a serious illness, injury, or disability. Here’s how it typically works:

1
Adding the Rider: When you buy or update a term insurance policy, you can add a Waiver of Premium Rider for an extra cost. The specifics depend on your insurance company and policy.
2
Activation: The rider is activated if you become disabled or critically ill, preventing you from working. The exact definition of “total disability” can vary by insurer.
3
Waiting Period: Most policies include a waiting period (often around six months) before the waiver kicks in. During this time, you must continue paying premiums, but if your claim is approved, you may be reimbursed for these payments.
4
Coverage: Once activated, the rider waives your premium payments, allowing your insurance policy to remain in force without further payments.
5
Eligibility: To qualify, you must meet specific health and age requirements when purchasing the rider. Pre-existing conditions are usually not covered.
6
Cost: Adding this rider increases your insurance premiums, typically by 10% to 25%.

What is Covered Under Term Insurance with Waiver of Premium Rider?

What is Not Covered Under Term Insurance with Waiver of Premium Rider?

Benefits of Waiver of Premium Rider in Term Insurance

Some of the major benefits of waiver of premium rider in term insurance are:

Uninterrupted Coverage

The foremost and primary benefit of a waiver of premium rider is that it ensures that your life insurance policy remains in effect even if you cannot pay the premiums due to a disability or illness. 

Thus, when you have multiple things to look after at a crucial stage of health, you don't have to be concerned about losing out on the financial protection you bought for your family. 

No Financial Burden

With the waiver of premium rider, you don't have to worry about paying the premiums during the period of disability. The rider ensures that your policy coverage continues without any financial burden.

Prevents Policy Lapse

By signing up for a life insurance policy, you have made a long-term financial commitment to protect your family's future. A waiver of premium rider helps protect this investment by ensuring that your policy does not lapse on grounds of non-payment of premium during a period of disability.

Peace of Mind

Often ignored, but a critical benefit is the peace of mind that this rider provides. Knowing that your life insurance coverage, i.e., your well-planned financial protection for your family, will continue, regardless of your ability to pay premiums, is a significant benefit. 

Cost-effective

This rider can be added to the base policy for a nominal cost. But the benefits that it provides are nonpareil. It is a cost-effective way to ensure that your financial 'coverage remains in force, even during a period of disability. Thus, a small cost can offer significant benefits in the long run.

Who Should Buy Term Insurance with Waiver of Premium Rider?

Eligibility for Buying Term Insurance with Waiver of Premium Rider

While the eligibility conditions might vary across insurance providers, some of the most common eligibility criteria are as follows:

Criteria Details
Age Limit The applicant must be in the age limit of 18-60 or 65 with some insurers.
Medical Condition Pre-existing conditions or disability is usually excluded.
Financial Underwriting Insurers may assess your financial situation to determine if the rider is appropriate for your policy.
Occupation Some insurers may have restrictions based on high-risk occupations
Additional Requirements May require a medical exam or additional documentation

Documents Required to Claim Waiver of Premium Rider in Term Insurance

The documents required for a waiver of premium rider claim might vary across insurers. However, typically, the following documents are required:

Document Description
Original Policy Document The original document of the insurance policy.
Filled Claim Form A form provided by the insurance company that needs to be filled out.
ID Proof
  • Voter ID
  • Passport
  • Driver’s License
  • Aadhaar Card
  • PAN Card
Address Proof
  • Utility Bills
  • Rental Agreement
  • Aadhaar Card
Medical Reports Medical documents and reports, especially for critical illness claims.
Policyholder’s Bank Statement/Cancelled Cheque Copy of it for verifying bank details for claim disbursement.
Disability Certificate Certificate issued by a local government body in case of disability claims.

Steps to Add Waiver of Premium Rider in Term Insurance

Step 1

Compare and look for term insurance policies that offer a waiver of premium rider.

Step 2

Use online tools or contact insurance providers to get quotes for term insurance with the waiver of premium rider included.

Step 3

When filling out the application for term insurance, select the option to add the waiver of premium rider.

Step 4

Complete the application with your personal, medical, and financial information.

Step 5

Carefully review the policy details, sign the application and submit it along with any required documents.

Step 6

Pay the initial premium to activate your policy and the waiver of the premium rider.

Step 7

After processing, you will receive confirmation from the insurer that your policy, including the waiver of premium rider, is active.

Factors to Consider When Buying Term Insurance with Waiver of Premium Rider

Disadvantages of Waiver of Premium Rider in Term Insurance

The waiver of premium rider has several advantages and can be a prudent addition to your term insurance policy. However, it does come with certain disadvantages:

Cost

While it provides manifold advantages and an enhanced safety net, this rider does increase the overall cost of your insurance policy. You need to assess whether the additional premium aligns with your financial planning and goals.

Eligibility

Qualifying for the waiver involves certain eligibilty checks. You might not qualify for adding the rider or there might be delays or denials in approval if the insurer deems the disability does not meet their specified conditions.

Limited Coverage Period

Riders, as other insurance policies, come with age limitations. For instance, the rider may only cover you until you reach a certain age, such as 60 or 65. This means that if you become disabled after this age, the rider will not be effective.

Exclusions

The rider often includes specific exclusions. Common exclusions might encompass disabilities resulting from certain activities or conditions. 

Waiting Period

There is a waiting period, usually of six months before the waiver of premium rider takes effect.

FAQs about Waiver of Premium Rider in Term Insurance

Is there a waiting period to avail waiver of premium rider in term insurance?

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Yes, after filing a claim for a term life insurance policy, there is usually a waiting period of about 6 months, during which the policyholder must be suffering from the condition mentioned in the claim. Post this waiting period only the waiver comes into effect.

What happens if the policyholder recovers from the disability or illness in term insurance?

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If the policyholder recovers from the disability or illness, they will need to resume paying the premiums as per the policy terms and conditions.

Can a waiver of premium rider be used multiple times?

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Yes. You can use this rider multiple times for different or recurring disabilities. However, it depends on the terms and conditions of the policy.

Is waiver of premium available on term insurance?

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Yes. Most term insurance plans provide the waiver of premium rider as an add on.

Is the waiver of premium rider available for all life insurance policies?

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Not all life insurance policies offer the Waiver of Premium rider; availability varies by insurer and policy. It is usually offered as an optional additional rider that can be added to your base policy for a nominal extra premium. 

Is the premium paid for the waiver of premium rider tax-deductible?

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Premiums paid for the Waiver of Premium rider are eligible for tax benefits under section 80(C) of income tax, based on the prevailing income tax laws.

Can the waiver of premium rider be added to an existing life insurance policy?

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The availability and the option to add a premium of waiver rider to your existing policy depends on the insurer and the insurance policy. Not all insurers provide the option of adding this rider to a running insurance policy.

What happens if I cancel my life insurance policy with a waiver of premium rider?

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The availability and the option to add a premium of waiver rider to your existing policy depends on the insurer and the insurance policy. Not all insurers provide the option of adding this rider to a running insurance policy.

How do I know if the waiver of premium rider is right for me?

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To determine if the Waiver of Premium Rider suits you, assess your financial situation and risk of losing income if any unfortunate circumstance happens.

How does the waiver of premium rider affect my term life insurance coverage?

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The Waiver of Premium Rider allows your life insurance coverage to continue without premium payments if you become disabled, without affecting the coverage amount.

What are the limitations of waiver of premium riders in term insurance?

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The waiver of Premium riders comes with several limitations. First, it often has age restrictions, typically requiring policyholders to be under 60 or 65. Individuals with pre-existing conditions or physical impairments may not be eligible.

If a policyholder becomes disabled, a waiting period of up to six months applies. During this period, premiums must be paid before the waiver takes effect.

Does the term insurance with waiver of premium cover only critical illness or disability?

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A Waiver of Premium rider generally covers both critical illness and disability. If the policyholder becomes critically ill or disabled and cannot work, the rider will waive the premium payments, ensuring that the life insurance policy remains active without the policyholder having to make payments.

Are there any tax benefits associated with the waiver of premium rider in term insurance?

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Yes, there are tax benefits associated with the Waiver of Premium rider. The premiums paid towards this rider can be eligible for tax exemptions in India under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961. This means the amount paid for the rider can be deducted from your taxable income, providing some financial relief.

What is the meaning of waiver of premium rider in term insurance?

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A Waiver of Premium rider is an add-on to an insurance policy that waives the policyholder’s obligation to pay premiums if they become critically ill, seriously injured, or disabled. This rider ensures that the insurance coverage continues even if the policyholder is unable to work and pay the premiums due to their condition.

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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