Types of Term Insurance Plans

Types of Term Insurance Plans

Term insurance is a pure risk plan that is specifically designed to financially safeguard your loved ones in your absence or in case of unforeseen situations. As the name suggests, term insurance plans are bought for a specific period. During the tenor of the plan, if you (the policyholder) happen to die, unfortunately, the sum assured amount is paid to your nominee. The sum assured amount is the coverage you choose at the time of buying the policy.

In case the term insurance matures while you are still alive, no maturity benefits are paid. It is solely a financial protection plan that secures your dependents.

There are multiple types of term insurance plans available in the market as per your requirements. Some of the most common types are as follows:

• Level Term Plans

• Return of Premium Plans

• Increasing Term Plans

• Decreasing Term Plans

• Convertible Term Plans

• Term Plans with Riders

Let us understand these in detail.

Level Term Plans

The level term plans are one of the most basic term insurance types in India. In this plan, the sum assured amount does not change during the policy term. The term insurance benefits are paid to the beneficiaries in case of unfortunate dismissal of the policyholder.

Some common level term plans include:

• Annual renewable term

• Five-year renewable term

• Ten-year term

• 15-year term

• 20-year term

• 25-year term

• 30-year term

• Term to a specific age (generally, 65 years of age)

If the level term insurance plan is renewable, it means that the policy can be continued for an additional term(s), up to a specific age.

Return of Premium Plans

Although most term insurance plans do not provide maturity benefits, there are plans created with the ‘return of premium’ feature. Term plans with return of premium provide a maturity benefit to the insured. In simple terms, the premium amount paid by the policyholder will be returned to them in case they survive the plan term.

However, the premium prices of these plans are relatively high and you are required to maintain the policy until the term ends to enjoy the benefits. In case you forfeit the term plan before the tenor ends, you will end up losing the maturity benefit.

Increasing Term Plans

Another type of term policy is the increasing insurance plan that secures your family against inflation. In the increasing term plan, you can choose to increase the sum assured amount on an annual basis during the plan tenor. If your financial liabilities are going to increase in the long term due to growing responsibilities, such a term plan is meant for you!

Note that the premium amount here remains the same. However, the premiums charged for increasing term plans will be different from basic term insurance plans.

Decreasing Term Plans

Decreasing term insurance plans are opposite to that of increasing term plans. In this type of term insurance policy, the sum assured amount keeps on decreasing over the years.

Generally, decreasing term plans are ideal for people who have to pay off loans such as a home loan or personal loan in EMIs (Equated Monthly Installments). This way, the decreasing sum assured amount matches the decreasing insurance needs of the policyholder.

As a matter of fact, the sum assured amount reduces as the EMIs are paid and the total loan amount decreases.

Convertible Term Plans

A convertible term plan allows you to buy the policy with an option to convert it into another type of insurance plan of your choice in the future.

For instance, consider that you bought a term plan for twenty-five years. After five years of the plan, you can switch the policy to whole life insurance, endowment plan, or any other insurance plan of your choice. In case your insurance requirements are going to change in the future, a convertible term plan shall be suitable for you.

Term Plans with Riders

Certain term plans like the Smart Protect Goal Term plan available on Bajaj Markets offer rider options such as critical illness cover, accidental death cover, and disability cover. You can avail the rider for an additional premium amount over your existing term insurance plan. Thus, in the event of an unforeseen incident, the rider benefit shall payout a lump sum or a regular payout to secure your finances.

Points To Consider When Buying Term Insurance

Here are a few things that you need to keep in mind when buying term insurance plans in India:

• Insurance Provider

The insurer you choose to purchase the term plan with should be reliable and trustworthy. You can use the claim settlement ratio to determine the reliability of the insurer. Other factors to consider when shortlisting the insurer can be the solvency ratio, corporate governance record, asset under management, and any instances of violations.

• Rider Benefits

As you know, insurers allow you to enhance the scope of the policy with rider benefits. It is not mandatory to opt for all the rider benefits provided by the insurer. It is recommended to select only those that you think may come in handy in the future.

• Sum Assured Amount

Since term insurance primarily protects your family financially in your absence, it is important to choose sufficient coverage. Ideally, the sum assured should be 10-15 times your current annual income.

• Policy Tenor

The term insurance plan you buy should have a longer duration. As the policy is meant to financially protect your loved ones in your absence, it is best to choose an extended term period.

Summing it up

Even though term insurance plans are one of the basic insurance plans, they are affordable and tend to financially protect your family members during the time of need. Hence, buying term insurance plans is crucial.

Browse through the lucrative term insurance plans available on Bajaj Markets online. The premiums charged are easy-on-the-pocket and the plans can be customised as per your needs with a coverage of up to ₹1 crore.

So, don’t wait! Ensure yourself and your family with an affordable term plan at Bajaj Markets, today.