Advantages of Life Insurance

Overview of Life Insurance

There’s an ‘if’ in the middle of ‘life’. This ‘if’ depicts the challenges and uncertainties that life may throw your way. You might not be able to avoid the uncertainties of life but if you plan for them, they become manageable. This is one of the advantages of life insurance. One of the major uncertainties in life is premature demise. If the breadwinner of a family passes away untimely, the family incurs an emotional as well as considerable financial loss, . To manage the financial loss, a life insurance policy comes in handy.

A life insurance policy provides financial security in the event of premature demise. The policy helps you create an emergency corpus for your family if life throws an unforeseen challenge your way.

Commonly Used Terms in Life Insurance

Here’s a look at some of the commonly used terms in life assured –

How Does Life Insurance Work?

There are different types of life insurance plans. You choose the type of policy that you want and you can plan to avail the advantages of life insurance as per your choice. Then, you need to opt for:

1. The sum assured
2. The policy tenure
3. The premium paying tenure and frequency
4. Optional riders, if any

Based on these factors, the premium is calculated. In some plans, you can also choose the premium that you want to pay and the plan benefits are calculated based on the premium amount and the other plan details selected. You have to fill out a proposal form stating your personal, financial and medical details and pay the premium to apply for a life insurance plan. Based on the information provided in the proposal form, the insurance company issues the policy. Once the policy is issued, you get covered over the chosen tenure. In the case of premature demise during the policy tenure, a death benefit is usually paid. However, if the life assured survives the policy tenure, a maturity benefit is paid for other than pure term insurance plan, provided all premiums are paid.

In the case of a rider, if you select a rider and if the contingency covered under the rider occurs during the policy tenure, the rider benefit is paid.

Why Life Insurance Plans May Be the Right Fit for You?

Flexible options of life insurance plans can assist you in meeting your different financial needs at different phases of life.

Term insurance and income continuity

If the breadwinner passes away during the policy term y, the sum assured from a term insurance can help replace lost income. This can allow families to continue living the way they have and achieve important objectives.

Saving plans for future needs

Savings-oriented life insurance plans provide maturity benefits that can be used to pay for retirement, children's education or other long-term objectives.

Flexibility and financial planning

Life insurance plans adapt to your priorities by letting you select coverage, riders and policy details (policy term, premium payment term, frequency, etc.) as per your requirements.

Advantages of Life Insurance

While there are different advantages of life insurance plans and they offer financial security, they can also be put to some creative use. Have a look at how –

1. Taking care of your loved ones’ expenses

   One of the main reasons why we work hard is to make sure that our family is well taken care of. However, if something untoward were to happen to you, your family may find it hard to meet their expenses and their life goals.

   Here’s where a life insurance policy comes into the picture. The death benefit payout from a life insurance plan goes to the nominee listed under the plan and can be used by them to take care of their expenses and to further their life goals.

   
   

2. Inheritance

   Any individual, after their demise, would want to leave behind a sizable inheritance for their children and future generations. However, considering the ever-growing cost of living, not everyone may be able to build a sizable inheritance to leave behind by investing alone. In such cases, the life cover of a life insurance plan can help. Here’s how.

   An individual can take out a whole life insurance plan with a sizable life cover, which will cover them till the age of 99. And in the event of their demise, the death benefit payout that the nominees will receive can act as a kind of inheritance. The payout can then be used by the nominees as they see fit. So, with a life insurance plan, you can fulfil your dream of leaving behind an inheritance for your family without taking on too much risk.

   
   

3. Create an alternative source of income

   One of the many benefits of life insurance is that it can be customised according to your needs and requirements. The death benefit (or the maturity benefits) from a typical life insurance plan is usually paid out as a lump sum amount. However, in some policies, the policyholder may choose an instalment-payout option as well, where the sum assured, or the maturity benefits are paid out in instalments as per the chosen frequency.

   Opting for this method of payout allows you to create an alternative source of income for yourself or your loved ones. And it can also be very useful for those families that may not be financially competent enough to manage lump sum payouts effectively. When the death benefit is paid out in instalments, families may find it easier to manage their regular monthly expenses.

   
   

4. Reduce the tax burden

   You also get to enjoy several tax benefits by simply purchasing a life insurance plan and paying the premiums due. According to section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961, you can claim the premiums that you pay for a life cover as deductions from your total taxable income subject to provisions stated therein. The maximum amount that you can claim each financial year is Rs. 1.5 lakhs under old tax regime.

   The tax benefits don’t stop there though. The death benefit payout that nominees receive is also completely tax-free in their hands under section 10(10D) of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Similarly, the maturity benefits that you receive at the end of the tenure of the insurance plan are also exempt from tax subject to the satisfaction of the conditions mentioned in section 10(10D).

   
   

5. Debt Repayment

   This is one of the most creative uses of a life insurance policy. If you’ve taken out any large loans for purposes like purchasing or constructing your dream home or paying for your children’s education, the repayment period for the same can extend for years. Meanwhile, if something were to happen to you, your loved ones may find it hard to repay the loan and other debt obligations that you’ve left behind.

   But, with life insurance in your portfolio, you may prevent all of that from happening. The lump sum death benefit payout that they receive can be used to pay off all outstanding loans and other obligations that you may have left behind, leaving them debt-free.

   
   

Types of Life Insurance Policies

The different types of life insurance policies that are usually available in the market and the various advantages of life insurance can be summarised as follows^{3 & 4} –

How to Choose the Right Type of Life Insurance Policy?

Among the different types of life insurance plans, how do you choose the right one? Here are some tips that can help5 you understand the advantages of life insurance plans:

1. Assess your financial goals

   The choice of the policy depends solely on your financial goals. Here’s how –

   • If you want to plan for your child’s secured future, a child insurance plan would be a suitable choice
   • If you want to create a corpus for buying a home, a car or any other financial goal and want secured returns, an endowment policy would be suitable
   • For regular incomes, a money-back policy would be helpful
   • A term plan is important as it provides financial security by replacing the lost income
   • For planning your retirement, you can opt for pension plans.

   So, assess your goals and choose one or more life insurance plans that would help you create a corpus for the identified goal.

   
   

2. Choose an optimal sum assured

   Once the choice of the policy is done, you need to choose an optimal sum assured. This would ensure that the plan benefits are sufficient enough to provide for your financial needs.

   
   

3. Opt for riders

   Optional riders are available with many life insurance plans. These riders provide added coverage and can be selected for a comprehensive scope of protection. Check the available riders and assess their suitability. Choose the relevant ones for inclusive coverage.

   
   

4. Check the affordability of the premium

   Lastly, check whether the policy’s premium is affordable or not. Affordable premiums would help you continue the premium payment without any financial hiccups so that you can enjoy the full benefits of your policy. If the premium is not affordable, you can choose a suitable premium payment frequency to ensure affordability.

   If you keep all these factors in mind, you will be able to reap the benefits and the advantages of life insurance plans to its optimal.

   
   

Why Do You, As A Youth, need to Be Financially Literate?

You are youthful, wild, and free in your twenties. Your entire life unfolds before you as a memorable, thrilling ride. However, as with any adventurous endeavor, you must be prepared for potential road bumps, delays, and catastrophes. For starters, people's sedentary lifestyles make them more prone to illness than ever before. Heart disease, neck difficulties, and diabetes, among others, may attack millennials in their late twenties as a result of sitting hunched over laptops and ignoring their fitness.

You've only just begun your life, and to protect yourself financially from such probability, you can obtain a health care plan that covers catastrophic illnesses. Some of these policies cover both you and your spouse/family members. After ensuring your healthcare security, you can begin to envisage your life with the family you plan to have one day. You'll want your children to have a great future. That's going to cost a lot of money. Are you going to fund it from your paycheck? That is how primary and secondary education can function. But what about a higher education for a professional degree? You must consider developing a corpus as soon as possible. Child Education insurance policies will be your buddies in this situation.

Further, what if an unexpected event occurred and you were no longer able to care for your family? How do you intend to keep children safe after your death and compensate for the lost income? Term insurance and life insurance policies can benefit you in this situation. Your family will have a source of income as they adjust to your death and rebuild their lives. The same sum can be used to pay off EMIs, loans, and other financial stumbling blocks. The cherry on top of all these plans? The sooner you begin, the better. The premium amounts for young persons are lower than those outside of this age group.

Benefits of Buying Life Insurance Products Online

Thanks to the advent of technology, you can now buy life insurance plans online. There are benefits of online purchases too making them a popular choice among many. Some of the advantages of life insurance that can be availed by buying online ^6&7 –

1. Easy to compare

   Different types of life insurance plans are available in the market offered by different insurers. When you buy online, you can compare the available plans and choose one that best matches your requirements.

   
   

2. Lower premiums

   With the online mode, the administrative costs of the insurance company are reduced. As such, insurers might offer lower premiums. Moreover, when you compare, you can find a policy that offers the best possible coverage at the most competitive premium rates. Both these factors lower the premium outgo giving you a cost-effective policy.

   
   

3. Quick issuance

   Online plans are processed quickly since there might be no delay in documentation and underwriting. As such, you can get quicker coverage.

   
   

4. Transparent Process

   The online process of buying a life insurance policy is quite transparent. You can read the features, benefits and advantages of the life insurance plan, check the details and the premium payable and then buy the policy knowing the terms and conditions beforehand.

   
   

5. Easy to buy

   It is very easy to buy life insurance online. You can do so from the comfort of your home or office. You just need a computer or a Smartphone and an active internet connection to buy the policy in some simple steps.

   
   

How to Buy Life Insurance Online?

If you want to buy a life insurance policy online, here are some simple steps and tips that you might use –

1. First, assess your goals to find the type of policy that you need.
2. Go online and search for the available policies under the type of coverage that you have shortlisted. For instance, if you are looking for term insurance plans, look for the available term plans in the market.
3. Compare the coverage features of the available plans to choose one that offers the most suitable and relevant coverage.
4. Compare the premium rates. Choose a policy that offers competitive premium rates without compromising on coverage.
5. Once the plan is selected, select the policy details like the sum assured, policy tenure, premium paying tenure and frequency.
6. Opt for the available riders if needed.
7. Fill up the online proposal form and attach the relevant documents.
8. Pay the premium online and submit your application. The insurance company would underwrite your proposal and issue the policy basis the same.
    

Factors to Be Considered Before Buying a Life Insurance Policy

When buying a life insurance policy, here are some factors that you should consider –

• Does the policy meet your financial goal?

  If it doesn’t, choose a policy that does. Understand the different types of life insurance plans and choose one that aligns with your needs.

  
  

• Is the sum assured optimal?

  Your coverage amount should be sufficient to provide the desired financial protection to your loved ones in your absence. So, make sure that the coverage is optimal. You can use life insurance calculators that help in finding an optimal sum assured based on your goals.

  
  

• Is the policy tenure suitable?

  As you buy the policy with a particular financial goal in mind, you need to choose a tenure after which the policy can give you the funds needed to fulfil the goal.

  For instance, if you want to make a down payment for a home after 10 years, it is better to choose a tenure of 10 years so that when the policy matures, you get a lump sum maturity benefit that pays for the down payment.

  
  

• Is the premium affordable?

  Affordable premiums are a must to ensure that the policy does not hurt your pockets. So, check the affordability of the premium over the premium payment tenure. Make the premium affordable by choosing a suitable frequency and premium payment term.

  
  

• Do you need riders?

  Check whether you need the additional coverage offered by life insurance riders available with many plans. If you do, opt for the rider for better protection.

  
  

Which Financial Goals Can You Secure with Life Insurance?

One of the advantages of life insurance plans is that they can help you secure funds for many financial goals that you might have. Here’s how –

Factors That Affect Life Insurance Premium

The premium of a life insurance policy depends on various factors. Some of these factors and why and how they affect the premium are given below ^{8 and 9} -

Key Takeaways

• Life insurance provides financial assistance in case of the untimely demise of the life assured, which can allow the nominee to manage their day-to-day expenses without any compromise.
• Life Insurance plans can also help support long-term goals, which can include children’s education, retirement planning and creating an alternative income source.
• Premiums may depend on age, health, lifestyle, policy type and other factors.
• Buying life insurance at a younger age may help lock in lower premiums.
   

Conclusion

The benefits of life insurance go beyond just covering unexpected events. It can assist your family in achieving long-term objectives or even serving as a source of savings, depending on the plan. The right plan and thorough research of your alternatives can help you better manage uncertainty. Small efforts made today can provide confidence tomorrow, allowing you to prepare for your own and your family's futures.

FAQs

1. How does life insurance provide financial protection?

   A life insurance policy covers the risk of premature demise. It pays a death benefit if the assured passes away during the policy tenure. As such, in the case of the untimely death of the assured, the death benefit provided under the policy helps the family navigate the financial challenge that they face. They can meet their financial needs and fulfil their goals even when the breadwinner is not around. This is how life insurance plans provide financial protection and are one of the prevalent advantages of life insurance that you can get.

   
   

2. Can life insurance replace lost income?

   Yes, if you choose a suitable life insurance plan, you can replace the income lost due to untimely demise. For instance, term insurance plans pay a financial benefit on untimely demise. You can choose an adequate sum that matches the income that your family would lose in case of your premature demise. If the contingency happens, the term plan would compensate your family for the income lost thereby replacing it.

   
   

3. Are there any tax benefits associated with life insurance?

   Yes, life insurance plans offer multiple tax benefits. These are as follows –

   • Premiums paid for life insurance plans are allowed as a deduction under Section 80C, under old tax regime. The deduction limit is ₹1.5 lakhs for premiums up to 10% of the capital sum assured if the policy is issued on or after 1st April 2012. For policies issued before this date, the premium should be up to 20% of the capital sum assured. In the case of individuals suffering from a disease or a disability defined under Section 80U or 80DDB, the premium should be up to 15% of the capital sum assured for policies issued on or after 1st April 2013¹.
   • The death benefit is always tax-free¹⁰.
   • The maturity benefit enjoys tax exemptions under Section 10(10D) subject to the fulfilment of specified terms and conditions¹⁰.
      

4. Why is life insurance important?

   Life insurance can help maintain your family’s lifestyle if the unexpected occurs. It may support meeting ongoing expenses, debt obligations and long-term plans when the primary earner passes away .

   
   

5. Why should you add riders along with a life insurance plan?

   Accidental death benefit rider, critical illness rider or other riders are add ons which increase the coverage of your base plan. Riders are available at an additional nominal premium and their addition is subject to availability with the plan .

   
   

6. How many riders can be added to a life insurance policy?

   The number of riders you can opt for depends on the base plan and the insurance company. You can add riders as long as the coverage you choose works well together.

   
   

7. What benefits does life insurance offer to senior citizens?

   Regular payouts or partial withdrawals are some benefits life insurance offers that can be particularly suitable for senior citizens looking for a regular income. Depending on the type of policy selected, life insurance plans can help you create a corpus for financial goals, supplement retirement income or provide financial security.

   
   

8. Are there special life insurance benefits for women?

   Usually, life insurance benefits are for all, not specifically for women. However, women life assured can enjoy lower premiums compared to their male counterparts.