The Secret to Finding the Best Term Insurance Policies in India
Ever wondered how you can ensure the financial security of your loved ones in your absence? The answer lies in a life insurance term plan. In this article, we will explore term plan meaning and tips to choose the right one for you.
Term insurance is a type of life insurance that offers financial coverage to your beneficiaries in the unfortunate event of your demise during the policy term. It provides peace of mind and acts as a safety net, ensuring that your loved ones are taken care of financially.
Understanding life insurance term plan
To choose the best term insurance plan in India, it’s important to thoroughly research various insurance providers and consider your specific insurance needs. Comparing the features and benefits of different policies is crucial to finding the most affordable coverage that suits your requirements.
One key aspect to consider when selecting a term insurance policy is the claim settlement ratio of insurance companies. This ratio reflects the percentage of claims paid out of the total claims filed in a year. A higher claim settlement ratio indicates that it will be easier for your dependents to claim the insurance and continue their lives comfortably.
For example, if an insurer has a claim settlement ratio of 95%, it means that they settled 95 out of every 100 claims filed. It’s important to check both the claim settlement ratio and the number of claims settled by the insurer to gauge their credibility.
The solvency ratio is another important factor to consider. This ratio reveals whether an insurer will be financially capable of settling your claim when needed. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) mandates that every life insurer should maintain a solvency ratio of at least 1.5. A higher solvency ratio indicates better financial stability, ensuring that your family’s financial security remains intact even during challenging times.
Term insurance not only provides coverage in case of death but also offers critical illness coverage. Critical illnesses like cancer or brain surgery can have a significant financial impact on your family. A term insurance plan with a critical illness benefit pays out the cover amount immediately upon diagnosis of any covered critical illness.
This ensures that your family has enough money to cover the high cost of treatment and maintain their day-to-day life. Additionally, premiums paid towards the critical illness cover are eligible for deduction under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act.
In addition to these core features, term insurance plans often provide various additional covers that can enhance the financial protection offered. These include:
- Waiver of premium: This benefit ensures that your life insurance coverage continues without the need to pay future premiums in case of permanent disability.
- Accidental death: An accidental death benefit increases the sum assured to be paid to your family members in case of death due to an accident.
- Income benefit: Some term insurance plans allow your family members to receive a regular income from the plan instead of a lump sum amount, providing them with a monthly income in your absence.
- Terminal illness benefit: This benefit allows you to claim a portion of the sum assured if you are diagnosed with a terminal illness.
- Flexibility: Look for plans that offer flexibility to increase the sum assured at major milestones in your life and provide increasing monthly income benefits.
Once you have evaluated life insurance term plan based on these parameters, it’s important to consider the premium cost before making your final decision. While cost is an important factor, ensure that you don’t compromise on other aspects just because of price. Remember that term insurance premiums are eligible for tax deduction under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act.
Tips for choosing the best life insurance term plan
To make sure you choose the best term insurance plan in India, here are some tips:
1. Consider your life stage and dependents:
Assess your life stage and financial situation when buying insurance. Determine who depends on you financially and for how long. This will help you choose the right policy duration and coverage amount.
2. Analyse your current lifestyle:
Consider your spending habits and standard of living when calculating the required life coverage. Be realistic about your lifestyle needs to ensure your loved ones can maintain their standard of living even in your absence.
3. Evaluate your income:
Analyse your income to determine a practical life coverage amount. Consider your financial responsibilities and calculate the portion of your income required to meet those obligations.
4. Assess existing liabilities:
Take into account any debts or liabilities that you have, such as loans or mortgages. Ensure that the policy term covers the repayment period or provides adequate coverage to support your dependents in case of your demise.
5. Add riders to the plan:
Customise your term insurance plan with optional riders that enhance the coverage based on your specific needs. Riders like critical illness riders, accidental death and disability riders, and waiver of premium riders can provide additional benefits.
6. Check claim settlement ratio:
Consider the claim settlement ratio of the insurer before making a decision. A higher claim settlement ratio indicates a higher likelihood of receiving timely financial support from the insurer.
Conclusion
In conclusion, finding the best life insurance term plan requires thorough research, comparison, and consideration of various factors such as claim settlement ratio, solvency ratio, critical illness cover, additional covers available, and premium cost. By understanding these aspects and following the tips mentioned above, you can make an informed decision and ensure the financial security of your loved ones in India.
