When to buy a term insurance policy?

When to Buy a Term Insurance Policy?

Thinking of term insurance? The earlier you buy, the more you save. Discover how age, policy length, and plan features impact your cover.

Written by : Knowledge Centre Team

Last published : 2026-01-10

6 minutes read

If a sole earning member of the family passes away unexpectedly, the family may undergo a serious financial shock. Savings alone sometimes cannot be sufficient to meet all their financial obligations. Hence, to avoid all these situations, financially responsible people plan for the secure future of their family in advance and buy term life insurance at an early age.

Key Takeaways

  • Buying term insurance early helps you lock in low premiums and long-term coverage.

  • Your 20s and early 30s are ideal for getting a term plan, especially before major responsibilities begin.

  • Choose a policy term that covers you until retirement (60-65 years minimum).

  • Evaluate factors like age, income, dependents, and debts before selecting a plan.

  • Many term plans offer flexible features like return of premium, increasing cover, and spouse inclusion to match changing life needs.

Best Age to Buy Term Insurance in India

Many people feel that the late 30s is the most suitable age to get a term life insurance plan, but that is a common misconception. They are not aware of the benefits of buying a term insurance plan at an early age. Financial advisors always suggest that you must buy term plans at an early age.

Buying early not only lowers your premium but also ensures wider coverage while you’re still healthy. Of course, not everyone has the same income level, so affordability can vary. Still, even a basic plan started early can offer meaningful protection. Keeping this thing in mind, mentioned below are the different age stages at which people can buy the best term plan online.

  • In the early 20s: The early 20s are the most suitable age when a person can buy a term life insurance plan. This is the age when many people graduate from college and start earning. Purchasing term insurance at this age will secure the future of the policyholder, along with inculcating good saving habits in them.

    Also, in the present times, many individuals get married in their late 20s or early 30s, and hence they do not have any additional financial burden on their shoulders. They can easily keep aside a small portion of their income to pay for the premiums. Remember, the earlier you buy a term plan, the smaller the premiums will be. There are a lot of reasons you may end up paying a higher premium when you buy term life insurance.

    Read more on the reasons you might be paying a higher premium.
  • In the late 20s or early 30s: The late 20s or early 30s is usually the time when people get married and enter into a new phase of their lives. Hence, to secure the future of their spouse along with their kids, this is a crucial time to get  a term life insurance policy.

    As people have just started their married life, there are no kids, and the expenses are also lower. While responsibilities begin to grow, expenses are still manageable, and you’re likely in better health compared to later years. This makes it a smart time to lock in affordable premiums and long-term coverage. You can also receive various tax benefits on premiums under section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

Protect Your Family with Affordable Term Insurance

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Why Buy Term  Insurance  Early?

A term life insurance policy is basically a protection plan that you take out for your own life. This plan assures monetary security to your family in case you pass  away.

Getting a term life insurance plan at an early age can be extremely beneficial for several reasons. The main reason why people prefer receiving these term plans at an early age is because of the low monthly premiums.

Read more on the advantages of buying a life insurance plan at an early age.

How Long Should You Keep Your erm Life Insurance?

When buying a term life insurance policy, it is advisable that you always check the duration of these plans. It is always better to get a term insurance policy for a longer duration rather than the short-term ones, as the long-term plans are bound to safeguard you and your loved ones till the time of your retirement.

As 60 to 65 is the normal retirement age in our country, you can set these numbers as the benchmark age and look for plans that provide coverage for a longer duration.

Here’s why longer-term coverage is more beneficial:

  • Covers your full earning period, protecting your family if something happens before retirement.

  • Keeps premiums fixed, even as your age and health risks increase.

  • Reduces the chance of needing a new policy later, which may be costlier or harder to qualify for.

  • Provides peace of mind during high-responsibility years like when you're repaying loans or raising children.

How Term Plan by Canara HSBC Life Insurance Can Help You?

Today, there are many insurers offering term life insurance plans, but choosing the right one depends on various factors. Hence, it is always advised that people must analyse all the factors like their age, income, expenses, plan coverage, debts and liabilities before buying a term life insurance.

iSelect Smart360 Term Plan by Canara HSBC Life Insurance offers complete coverage to people till the age of 99. Apart from this, the plan also renders some additional benefits like

  • Return of premium alternative when the policyholder outlives the maturity date of the term life insurance policy. That means all the premiums that you have paid throughout the tenure will be paid back if you outlive the policy.

  • Increasing the sum assured on the term life insurance policy taken by the policyholder. You can choose to increase the sum assured as per your evolving needs.

  • Apart from securing the life of the policyholder, iSelect Smart360 Term Plan by Canara HSBC Life Insurance also has the option to cover your spouse in the same policy.

  • For people who are not comfortable paying a huge amount, this term plan has an option for limited premium payment.

Conclusion

With rising responsibilities and unpredictable life events, having a term plan in place early on can give you peace of mind and financial stability through every life stage. It is always advisable that you take term insurance plans at an early age so that you can protect yourself and your loved ones at more modest amounts of monthly, yearly, or quarterly premiums. In addition to this, you must also evaluate the necessities and requirements of your family and weigh which policy can provide them with the maximum benefit.

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