Why should one avail of term insurance?

Introduction

When it comes to prioritizing our family and finances, term life insurance provides a solution that addresses both aspects. In this article, we will uncover the essence of term life insurance and unlock its multitude of benefits in this enlightening article. Join us as we delve deeper into the importance of term life insurance and discover how it can safeguard your future.

Term life insurance is a vital category of insurance that individuals should consider. It offers protection for your family's financial well-being in the unfortunate event of your passing. Let's explore the significant advantages of term life insurance plans in greater detail.

Why Term Insurance is Important?

Term Life Insurance is a type of life insurance that provides financial coverage for a specific period. If the policyholder passes away during the term, their nominee receives a death benefit to ensure their financial security. Premiums are based on factors like health, age, and life expectancy. A medical examination and analysis of the family's medical history may be required. Premiums remain fixed throughout the policy duration, which can range from 5 to 60 years.

There are different types of term life insurance, including Level Term Insurance, Term Insurance with Return of Premium, Increasing Term Insurance, Decreasing Term Insurance, and Convertible Term Plan.

What are the benefits of term insurance?

(i) Establishing Financial Freedom:

• Term insurance provides financial security for you and your loved ones in case of unforeseen events.
• Particularly important for primary earners to ensure a monthly financial plan in their absence.
• The payout from the term insurance can be used to fulfill essential goals such as higher education, investments, or children's marriage.

(ii) Premium Benefits:

1. Lowest Premiums

• Term life insurance offers pocket-friendly premiums compared to other types of life insurance.
• Purchasing term insurance early can help reduce the cost of insurance.
• Younger and healthier individuals typically pay lower premiums than older individuals with health issues. For instance, the Premium (Per Annum) for Life Cover of Rs. 50,00,000 for a Non-Smoker, Male at Max Life Online Term Plan Plus is given below:

2. High Coverage with low premiums

• Term life insurance offers high coverage at a comparatively low premium cost.
• Premiums for term life insurance are among the most affordable in the insurance market.
• The limited duration of the term reduces the risk for insurers, leading to lower premiums.

For instance, here are the premiums for HDFC Click 2 Protect Term plan for different Sum assured at the age of 30 years

3. Premium Stability and Flexibility:

• Premiums remain fixed throughout the term insurance plan, providing stability and predictability.
• By purchasing a term insurance plan early, you can secure lower premiums for the entire duration.
• Term insurance plans offer flexibility in premium payments, allowing monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, or yearly payment options.
• Some plans even allow the choice of paying the entire premium upfront to avoid the risk of missed payments and ensure convenience.

(iii) Tax Advantages

• Term life insurance offers several tax benefits to policyholders.
• Under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, policyholders can claim a deduction of up to ₹1.5 lakhs on specified investments and purchases, including term life insurance premiums.
• Section 80D allows policyholders to claim a deduction of up to ₹25,000 for health-related riders, such as critical illness riders.
• Policyholders can avail of the benefit of Section 10(10D) when claiming the payout from a term life insurance policy, as the entire amount is exempted from taxes.

(iv) Easy and Straightforward

Term insurance plans are simple and easy to understand. They provide straightforward financial protection to the family in case of the policyholder's death. Unlike other policies, term insurance focuses solely on the death benefit without any savings or investment component. Renewing or converting a term policy is uncomplicated, and cancelling it is hassle-free. Term insurance is purely for protection and does not involve complex features or cash values.

(v) Flexible Coverage Options to Suit Your Needs: Customizable Term Insurance Riders

• Critical Illness Rider: Receive a lump sum payout upon diagnosis of a critical illness listed in the policy, helping cover medical expenses and preserving your savings.
• Accidental Death Benefit Rider: Additional sum paid to your family if you pass away due to a fatal accident.
• Waiver of Premium: Premium payments are waived in case of a covered risk, ensuring the policy remains active even if you're unable to pay.
• Terminal Illness Rider: Receive an advance payout upon diagnosis of a terminal illness, allowing you to access the funds for necessary medical treatments.

Note: Insurance coverage riders offer the flexibility to enhance your term life insurance plan based on your specific needs.

(vi) Loan Protection for your loved ones

Term Insurance offers a safety net for loans, allowing the term insurance death benefit to be used for loan repayment in case of an emergency or untimely death. This provides financial security for your family and peace of mind, knowing that loans won't burden them, allowing you to focus on other priorities.

Conclusion

As mentioned previously, Term Life Insurance has several benefits. It provides greater coverage at a lower premium, is straightforward to understand, and offers significant tax advantages. However, it's important to remember that the primary purpose of insurance is protection, not savings, and term insurance aligns with this goal, unlike other life insurance products. The various advantages of term insurance make it a valuable financial tool. If you want to ensure a financial safety net for your family at an affordable price, term life insurance is the ideal choice.

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