Term Insurance and Whole Life Insurance: Differences and Similarities

A sound financial plan has a perfect blend of insurance and investment. When it comes to insurance, many people prefer opting for life insurance or term insurance plans available in the market. But it is easy to get confused between these two policies, mainly because both serve the same purpose – safeguarding the financial future of your family.

In this section, we will be discussing in detail what term insurance and life insurance plans are, what are the differences and similarities between the two, and which one should you select. Without further ado, let us begin!

About Term Insurance

A term life insurance plan gives you coverage for a certain number of years, and this usually comes with a fixed premium. The policy is the most basic form of a life insurance policy, offering the beneficiaries full coverage against the insured individual’s death. In fact, you can also enhance the scope of the policy with rider benefits such as accidental death cover or critical illnesses illness. One of the major plus points about term insurance is its affordability. Term insurance policies come at low premium prices, even while providing a large sum assured.

For instance, the Bajaj Allianz Term Insurance Plans available on Finserv MARKETS comes with a sum assured of Rs. 1 crore at low costs. The insured can also choose to extend the policy period if they were to outlive the chosen tenure. However, this facility usually comes at a relatively high cost.

In some cases, term insurance plans also provide a savings component. In the case of NOC claims made against the chosen plan variant/rider, the sum assured is returned in full at the time of maturity.

The Bajaj Allianz Life Smart Protect Goal plan available on Finserv MARKETS is one such plan. By opting for the Return of Premium option on the basic term plan, you can have your premiums returned to you at maturity. Term insurance plan is a prudent way to safeguard the future of your loved ones economically through competitive premium rates.

Types of Term Insurance Plans in India

The following variants of term insurance plans are available in the market –

• Level Term Insurance Plan

• Increasing Term Insurance Plan

• Decreasing Term Insurance Plan

• Return of Premium Term Plan

• Convertible Term Insurance Plan

• Term Insurance Plans with Riders

About Life Insurance

A whole life insurance policy has a broader perspective when compared to term insurance plans. Life insurance plans usually give you twin benefits by combining death benefit with a savings component or cash value that can be reinvested and tax-deferred.

Here, the premiums are split into two parts and are usually allocated flexibly. While one goes towards providing the death benefit to beneficiaries, another chunk of the premium is utilized for future wealth creation. Moreover, a life insurance policy gives you the freedom to invest a part of the premium amount into other instruments.

When you are young, the majority of the premium you pay is utilized in savings and investments. The remaining portion is used for providing life insurance coverage. You (the insured) have a say in what proportion of your premium is utilized for investments and what goes for life cover.

Types of Life Insurance Plans in India

The following variants of life insurance plans are available in the market –

• Whole Life Insurance Plan

• Endowment Assurance Plan

• Money-Back Plan

• Child Plan

• Unit Linked Insurance Plan

• Pension Plan

Term Insurance vs Life Insurance – Features

The following table will help you gain perspective on term insurance and life insurance features.

Term Insurance vs Life Insurance – Benefits

The following table will help you gain perspective on term insurance and life insurance benefits in detail.

Similarities between Term Insurance and Life Insurance

The only similarity between life insurance and term insurance plans in India is the tax benefits the policies offer. Both the plans allow you to claim income tax deductions on the premiums paid under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Also, the death or maturity benefits received are tax-free under Section 10(10D).

Term Insurance vs Life Insurance – What Should I Choose?

You need to evaluate a few things, no matter which insurance plan you choose. It includes –

• Your current financial situation

• Your current expenses

• Your future financial goals

Based on the evaluation, you can then compare different term insurance and life insurance plans. Consider factors such as premiums charged, coverage of the policy, exclusions, rider benefits, etc. for comparison. In-depth research will encourage you to choose the right insurance policy to secure yours and your family’s future.

To Conclude

Both of these insurance plans are quite popular in India. Choosing between the two can be overwhelming. But if you evaluate your needs and try to align your future financial goals to each of these plans, you will be able to make the right decision.

You can read in elaborate details about term insurance benefits at Finserv MARKETS online.