Guide to Life Insurance Policy and its Benefits

A life insurance policy is essential as it provides the financial assistance needed to secure your family during unexpected events. It plays a key role in safeguarding the future of your loved ones. However, before investing in a life insurance policy for family, you need to understand what maturity amount, sum assured meanings convey. Understand this common jargon as well as life insurance policy benefits to make the right choice.

What is life insurance?

A life insurance policy provides a dedicated amount either after the death of a policyholder or after the maturity period. For this, all you do is pay a premium amount to the insurance provider. In case of the unexpected death of the policyholder during the tenure, an amount is paid to the nominee. This is known as a sum assured or death benefit. However, in case the policy matures in the policyholder’s lifetime, the policyholder receives a maturity benefit from the provider in addition to a bonus amount, if applicable.

Read on to get more insight on the sum assured and other essential life insurance information. This can help you choose the life insurance policy best available in the market.

What are the benefits of investing in a life insurance policy?

If you are wondering how to choose life insurance, the best way is to check the life insurance policy details of different providers and compare them. Before carrying out a life insurance comparison, get to know the umpteen benefits of investing in one too.

While it offers you a risk cover, a life insurance policy is also an investment option. It can help you manage expenses like building your home, educating your kids or financing post-retirement plans. Another interesting feature of a life insurance policy is that it provides guaranteed funds in the form of annuities. This way you get regular income even after you have retired.

What’s interesting is that you can also avail a loan against your insurance policy in times of need. You can do so while keeping your policy active as the benefits of your life insurance plan are not hampered. You can also avail tax benefits under Section 80C and Section 10D of the Income Tax Act, 1961 when you invest in it [1].

How many types of life insurance policies are available in India?

When it comes to life insurance, India has a wide range of plans that you can avail. They include term insurance plans, unit-linked plans, endowment policies, pension plans and money back policies [2].

While term insurance policy is the simplest of all with affordable premiums, you will not get any maturity benefits after the term ends. In the event of death or maturity, the nominee or policyholder gets only the sum assured.

If you opt for a money back policy, you will receive survival benefits in addition to the sum assured after the policy matures. You have to pay higher premiums if you are investing in ULIP (unit linked) or endowment plans but you will get maturity benefits too. While investing in a life insurance policy, compare different providers and only then make your choice.

What do you mean by sum assured in a life insurance policy?

The sum assured of a life insurance policy in India is pre-fixed amount paid by the insurer either due to death or when the term ends. Ensure that you pay your premiums regularly to receive this benefit. If you choose a life insurance with maturity benefits, only then can you enjoy the maturity amount, which includes the sum assured along with bonuses.

The event for which you insure varies depending on the type of plan you choose. If you opt only for a protection plan, death is the insured event. However, by choosing savings-related plans, you get benefits of two insured events. These events can be either the death of the policyholder or the maturity of your policy.

Is it possible to increase the sum assured?

How to choose an ideal sum assured?

While selecting a sum assured amount, consider certain key factors. Check your income and obligations so that the premiums are affordable. Other factors to check include your age, inflation rates of economy, your health conditions and your lifestyle. 

Now that you know the importance of sum assured in a life insurance policy, opt for an amount that suits your budget when it comes to the premiums. Today you can invest in a life insurance online from the comfort of your home, which is both convenient and offers better comparisons. Make you think deeply and take an informed decision to secure your family’s future.