Why Term Insurance Should Be A Part of Your Financial Planning?

The past decade has seen an increase in the disposable income of Indians coupled with consumerism. As a result, there has been a shift in the way an average Indian family spends money. Financial goals have changed and people are spending as much as 25 to 60% on their aspirational needs as opposed to 10 to 20% in 2009.

This rise in lifestyle inflation demands meticulous financial planning that can reduce overspending, generate wealth as well as help you save enough for important milestones such as the education of your children and your retirement. One of the foremost priorities on your financial checklist should be buying a term plan as soon as you start earning.

It helps keep your family financially secure even in your absence with a concrete safety net to meet their expenses and sustain their current lifestyle. Let us take a look at some of the other reasons why term insurance should be a part of your financial roadmap:

1. Affordable premiums: A term plan is a pure insurance plan with no element of investment. It is the cheapest form of life insurance available. This means you can buy a cover for a higher sum assured that offers more protection to your dependants and eliminates future risk and you can do so at nominal rates. The earlier you purchase a term policy, the lower would be the premium that you end up paying. Only 1% of the yearly income of an individual on an average is spent on purchasing term insurance for the rest of his or her life.
2. Financial security: If you are the only earning member of your family, your absence could leave your family financially vulnerable, especially if you had taken additional liabilities such as a loan or mortgage when alive. A term plan provides you the assurance that your loved ones will be financially secure and free to pursue their goals and dreams.
3. Riders: You can personalize the policy to suit your family requirements by adding riders to cover any other risks that you perceive. Riders such as critical illness benefits, accidental death benefits, partial or total disability benefits, cost a nominal amount and provide an enhanced amount of coverage when added to an existing term plan.
4. Tax benefits: Most salaried individuals try to invest in options that give higher returns as well as help them save tax. This forms an important part of their financial planning. Not only can you enjoy a tax deduction of up to ₹1.5 lakh on premium payment towards term policy maintenance as per Section 80C, but the amount paid to your beneficiaries as death benefit also qualifies for exemption under Section 10(10D). Further, opting for a health-related rider (for eg: critical illness rider) can help you qualify for additional deductions under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act.
5. Customizable: You can tailor your term insurance plan to your unique needs and goals and those of your family. You can opt for three different types of coverage: (a) level, (b) increasing coverage, (c) decreasing coverage, as per your needs. You can choose from different payout options: (a) lump sum payout (b) part lump sum, part monthly income payout or (c) monthly income payout. You can also choose to cover your spouse under the same plan. All these benefits and more are available, if you opt for the iSelect Smart360 Term Plan from Canara HSBC.

Remember to declare any health conditions, lifestyle diseases and habits openly when you buy a term policy to ensure your claim is not rejected. Financial planning for the future is incomplete without a pure life cover that reduces risk, helps you be prepared for future uncertainties and is also cost-effective.

The iSelect Smart360 Term Plan from Canara HSBC Life Insurance comes with an optimum amount of coverage at extremely affordable rates. It also offers different premium payment options to choose from as per your requirements as well as a return of premium benefit if you outlive the policy period. So secure the future of your loved ones by opting for a term insurance policy that is tailor made to your needs and available at nominal rates.

Questions that you need to ask while Buying the Best Term Insurance Plan?
 

1. Are you buying a term plan with return of premium?
2. Amount of premium you have to pay based on your age, habits, education, and monthly income
3. The total number of benefits covered in the term insurance plan. Do they include benefits that you care about the most?
4. How to save money on tax if you pay for the term life insurance plan?
5. Do they offer regular income options?
6. Can you change the coverage and premium in the future?
7. Does the claim consider valid if death occurs outside India?
8. Which kind of death is not covered by a term insurance plan?
9. Can NRIs take a term insurance plan? If yes, what are the conditions?
10. Does the term insurance plan have a cash value if you decide to cancel the term insurance policy?
11. Under what circumstances can a term insurance plan be cancelled?
12. Can I pay the premiums online or make electronic payments?
13. What will happen to the term life insurance plan if the life assured starts smoking after purchasing the policy?