Choosing the right term insurance plan in India is an essential decision that requires careful consideration. A term insurance plan provides financial security to your family in case of any unforeseen events such as death or disability. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to select the best plan that meets your needs.
In this article, we will discuss the key factors to consider when choosing a term insurance plan in India, including the coverage amount, premium, claim settlement ratio, policy term, riders, and insurer’s reputation. By understanding these factors, you can make an informed decision and select a plan that provides comprehensive coverage and financial protection to your family.
How to choose Term Insurance Plan
So here are the following pointers that you should check to choose term insurance plan:
1. Policy Coverage:
The coverage amount is the amount of money that your family will receive in case of your untimely demise during the policy term. This coverage amount should be sufficient to cover your family’s daily expenses, outstanding debts, and any future financial obligations such as children’s education, marriage, and retirement planning.
The coverage amount is a crucial factor to consider when choosing a term insurance plan in India. It’s recommended to opt for a coverage amount that provides comprehensive financial protection to your family and meets your future financial goals. The Human Life Value calculation is an effective tool to determine the right coverage amount that suits your needs.
2. Premium:
The premium is the amount of money that you pay to the insurance company to purchase a term insurance plan. The premium amount is calculated based on several factors such as age, health, lifestyle habits, and the coverage amount selected.
When choosing a term insurance plan, it’s essential to consider the premium amount carefully. A high premium amount may strain your budget and lead to financial difficulties in the future. At the same time, a too low premium amount may indicate inadequate coverage, which may not be sufficient to meet your family’s financial needs in case of any unfortunate events.
To determine the right premium amount, you can compare the premium rates of different insurance companies offering term insurance plans in India. This comparison will help you to select a plan that fits your budget and provides comprehensive coverage. You can also consider opting for a longer policy term as it can lower the premium amount.
It’s worth noting that the premium amount may increase if you have any pre-existing medical conditions or engage in high-risk activities such as smoking. Therefore, it’s essential to disclose your health condition and lifestyle habits truthfully to the insurance company to avoid any issues during claim settlement.
Read More: Difference Between Term Insurance and Life Insurance
3. Policy Term:
the policy term is the duration for which the term insurance plan provides coverage. When selecting a policy term, it’s essential to consider your age, financial goals, and family’s needs.
A longer policy term provides coverage for a more extended period, which can ensure that your family’s financial needs are met in the long term. However, a longer policy term may also mean a higher premium, and you may end up paying more than what is necessary.
On the other hand, a shorter policy term may have a lower premium, but it may not provide adequate coverage if you have long-term financial obligations such as children’s education, marriage, or retirement planning.
Therefore, it’s essential to select a policy term that balances your needs and budget. If you’re young and have a long way to go before retirement, you may consider opting for a longer policy term to provide financial security to your family in the long run. However, if you’re closer to retirement and have fewer financial obligations, you may consider a shorter policy term.
4. Claim settlement ratio:
Certainly! Claim settlement ratio (CSR) is an important factor to consider when selecting a term insurance plan in India. CSR refers to the percentage of claims settled by the insurance company against the total number of claims received in a financial year.
A high CSR indicates that the insurance company settles a significant number of claims, indicating its reliability and credibility in providing financial protection to its policyholders. On the other hand, a low CSR may indicate that the insurance company has a high rejection rate, which can cause financial difficulties to the policyholder’s family during claim settlement.
When selecting a term insurance plan, it’s recommended to choose an insurance company with a high CSR to ensure that your family’s financial needs are met in case of any unfortunate events. You can check the CSR of different insurance companies on the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) website or through various online comparison portals.
However, it’s essential to keep in mind that CSR alone should not be the only factor in selecting a term insurance plan. Other factors such as coverage amount, premium, policy term, and insurer’s reputation also play a crucial role in selecting the right plan.
5. Riders:
Riders are add-on benefits that you can opt for to enhance the coverage of your term insurance plan. These riders provide additional benefits and financial protection in case of specific events such as accidental death, critical illnesses, disability, and loss of income.
When selecting a term insurance plan, it’s essential to consider the riders available and choose the ones that are relevant to your needs. For instance, if you have a risky job or lifestyle, you may consider opting for an accidental death rider to provide additional financial protection to your family in case of an accident.
Similarly, if you have a family history of critical illnesses, you may consider opting for a critical illness rider to cover the costs of medical treatment and provide financial security to your family.
However, it’s worth noting that adding riders to your policy can increase your premium. Therefore, it’s recommended to evaluate the cost-benefit analysis of the riders before opting for them.
6. Insurer’s Reputation:
The reputation of the insurer is an essential factor to consider when selecting a term insurance plan in India. You must opt for an insurance company that has a good track record of settling claims and providing quality customer service.
Before selecting an insurance company, you can check their claim settlement ratio, which indicates the percentage of claims settled by the insurer against the total number of claims received. A higher claim settlement ratio implies that the insurer is more reliable and trustworthy.
You can also check the insurer’s ratings and reviews online on website like Policybazaar, which can provide insights into their customer service, claim settlement process, and overall experience. It’s recommended to opt for an insurer with positive ratings and reviews to ensure a hassle-free claim settlement process and quality customer service.
It’s also essential to check the insurer’s financial strength and stability before making a decision. You can check the insurer’s solvency ratio, which indicates the ability of the insurer to meet its financial obligations in case of any unforeseen events. A higher solvency ratio implies that the insurer has a strong financial position and can fulfill its commitments towards policyholders.
Summary:
Selecting a term insurance plan in India requires careful consideration of various factors. Firstly, determine your coverage needs based on your financial goals, family’s needs, and future expenses.
Secondly, select a policy term that aligns with your financial goals and budget. Thirdly, choose a coverage amount that provides adequate financial protection to your family. Fourthly, consider the insurer’s claim settlement process and reputation before making a decision.
Fifthly, evaluate the available riders and select the ones that offer relevant benefits to your needs. Finally, compare the premiums of different plans and select the one that provides the most value for your money. By considering these factors, you can select a term insurance plan that provides financial security to your family and peace of mind to you.
Overall, to understand how to choose term insurance plan it requires careful consideration of your financial needs, budget, and lifestyle. By doing your research, understanding the terms and conditions, and choosing the right rider options, you can select a plan that offers the coverage and benefits you need at a premium that fits your budget.
