What is Increasing Term Insurance Plan & How it Works?
An increasing term insurance plan is a type of insurance where the amount of coverage goes up over time. Our financial status changes as we go through different life stages and ages. Due to potential changes, the initial coverage amount might not be enough because of inflation.
With more coverage, you stay better protected and aligned with your financial goals. This type of insurance provides a death benefit to your beneficiaries if you pass away, helping your family handle the financial impact.
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Key Insights about Increasing Term Insurance Plans
An Increasing Term Insurance Plan offers life coverage that grows over time to match inflation and changing financial needs. Below is an overview of its key features:
What is an Increasing Term Insurance?
Increasing term insurance, as the name implies, is a kind of insurance plan in which the base sum assured increases by a specific amount annually.
Thus, it keeps pace with rising inflation and increasing financial liabilities. The premium for an increasing term plan is usually higher than a traditional one. Still, it allows you to increase your coverage without having to buy a new policy.
An increasing term plan is an excellent option for individuals who want to ensure their insurance coverage keeps pace with their changing financial needs.
How Does an Increasing Term Insurance Plan Work?
When purchasing a policy, the initial coverage amount is set, and the sum assured typically increases annually at a fixed rate, usually 5% to 10%. This increases premiums for increasing term insurance, which provides enhanced protection.
The policy duration for increasing term insurance usually ranges from 10 to 30 years. The longer the duration, the higher the premium rates. Conversely, a shorter policy duration leads to slightly lower premiums but a lower total sum assured by the end of the term.
The death benefit increases by a percentage throughout the policy term, ensuring that the financial protection for your loved ones grows alongside your needs.
Understanding Increasing Term Insurance Scenarios with Illustration
Let’s understand the workings of an increasing term plan with an example.
Raman, a 30-year-old software engineer from Bengaluru, is the sole breadwinner of his family, including his parents, wife, and little daughter. Aware of his financial responsibilities, Raman invests in a term insurance plan to ensure his family remains financially secure in his absence.
He chose an increasing term insurance plan with a base sum assured of 50 lacs for 30 years. The policy states that the base sum assured will increase by 5% annually, and the premium will remain constant for a set time.
The policy states that the sum assured is limited to a maximum increase of 100%. Therefore, after the 20th year of the policy, once the sum assured reaches ₹1 crore, it cannot be raised any further.
Let’s see the different cases that might occur:
Case 1: Mr. Raman Survives the 30-year Policy Period.
In such cases, the policy will terminate on maturity, and no maturity benefit will be paid since it’s a pure-term plan.
Case 2: Mr. Raman Dies in the 5th Year of the Policy.
In the 5th year, the sum assured would be ₹60.77 lacs. This sum assured would be paid to his beneficiary.
Case 3: Mr. Raman dies in the 27th policy year.
As mentioned, the sum assured would stop increasing beyond ₹1 crore in the 20th year. Thus, if Mr Raman dies in the 27th year, his dependents would receive ₹50 lacs + ₹50 lacs.
Benefits of Increasing Term Insurance Plan
Here are some of the major benefits of an increasing term life plan:
Helps to Beat Inflation
Insurance plans are long term investments. We usually buy term plans for 15-20 years. However, coverage that seems enough today might not be adequate tomorrow, with the ever-increasing inflation.
Thus, the increasing sum assured of the policy helps to keep up with inflation, ensuring that the policyholder's financial needs are met at every stage in the future.
No Additional Underwriting Required
In these plans, the sum assured increases annually at a predetermined rate. Since it’s the same policy, you don’t have to undergo the process of underwriting every time the sum assured increases.
In the other case, if you had to buy a new policy to increase your sum assured, you will need to go through the hassle of underwriting again.
Provides Adequate Financial Protection
A person might not be aware of their future liabilities while buying their first term plan. With increasing age, the responsibilities evolve, the liabilities increase and financial goals change.
An increasing term plan offers increasing death benefit over time, ensuring that the policyholder's family is adequately financially protected, and their goals are met in case of untimely demise of the policyholder.
Flexible Premium Payment Options
You have the flexibility to select your premium payment schedule. You can make a single lump sum payment for a limited period or throughout the policy. Alternatively, you can split the premium into half-yearly, quarterly, or monthly payments for higher flexibility.
Tax Benefits
You can avail tax benefits on your premiums paid and the death benefit received under Section 80C and Section 10(10D) of the Income Tax Act, as per the prevailing tax norms.
Features of Increasing Term Life Insurance
The major features of increasing term insurance include the following:
Constant Premium Rates
An increasing term plan is an affordable way to ensure your family's financial security in the long run. While the sum assured increases every year, the premium is decided at the inception of the policy and remains constant throughout its tenure.
Increasing Coverage
The increase in sum assured that this term plan offers happens at a certain rate. This rate is decided at the inception of the policy and remains the same throughout the policy tenure. Some policies also cap the maximum sum assured that can be reached.
Flexible Death Benefit Payout
While some plans pay the death benefit as a lump sum on the death of the life assured, a few others provide you the flexible option of receiving a death payout in the form of monthly, increasing monthly or monthly + lump sum instalments.
4. Additional Riders
You can customise your plan with additional riders as per your requirements. They can be added for a nominal fee and enhance your policy coverage. Some of the most common riders are critical illness riders, accidental death riders, disability riders, terminal illness riders, etc.
Eligibility Criteria for Buying Increasing Term Insurance Plan
To be eligible for an increasing term insurance plan in India, you typically need to meet the following criteria:
Documents Required for Buying Increasing Term Insurance Plan
To opt for an increasing term insurance plan, applicants are required to submit the documents listed below:
Note: Each section requires one or two documents as proof for a guaranteed return plan, depending on the insurer's requirements.
How to Buy Increasing Term Insurance Policy Online?
Buying an increasing term insurance policy online is a straightforward process. Here are the steps you can follow:
Step 1
Compare different insurance companies focusing on stability and policy terms
Step 2
Decide on the amount and request quotes for increasing term policies.
Step 3
Check the coverage and premium increase rates.
Step 4
Fill out the application form with accurate personal and medical information.
Step 5
Pay the premium online using a secure payment method.
How to Choose the Right Increasing Term Insurance Policy?
1. Identify Financial Obligations
Consider current and future expenses such as mortgage, debts, education and living costs.2. Plan for Future Growth
Account for inflation and potential increases in your family’s financial needs over time.3. Research Multiple Insurers
Insurers offer varying rates, benefits and policy terms.4. Evaluate Policy Features
Look at how the premiums and coverage amounts increase over time and consider any flexibility or additional riders offered.5. When to Seek Professional Advice
A financial advisor or insurance broker can provide personalised advice if you have complex financial needs or need clarification on the policy details.6. Tax Benefits and Legal aspects
Understand your policy's legal and tax implications.Are There Any Drawbacks of Increasing Term Insurance?
Higher Premium Costs
As the coverage amount increases over time, so do the premiums. This can lead to significantly higher costs as the policyholder ages, which might become burdensome, especially if their income doesn’t rise proportionally.Complexity
The structure of increasing term insurance can be confusing for policyholders. Understanding how and when the coverage and premiums increase requires careful consideration. This complexity might make it difficult for policyholders to plan their finances effectively.Limits on Death Benefit
There are often maximum limits on how much the death benefit can increase. Even though the benefit grows, it might not cover all future needs.Who Should Opt for an Increasing Term Insurance?
1. Young Professionals
Young professionals have just started their careers. They have a higher earning potential in future but are not sure what liabilities the future holds for them. An increasing term plan provides adequate coverage as their income increases.2. Individuals with Dependents
Individuals with dependents such as children, spouses, or parents should opt for an increasing term insurance plan. Children will need future funds for education and parents will need medical aid.
Other liabilities would also increase with time. Hence, an increasing term plan ensures that their family is financially protected in case of their untimely demise.
3. People with Inflationary Pressures
People who have good income and are concerned about inflationary pressures must consider buying an increasing term plan.
With good income and elevated lifestyle, they have higher liabilities and concerns about future cost of living. An increasing term insurance plan in this case offers protection against the rising cost of living.
4. Individuals with Long-term Financial Goals
Individuals who have long-term financial goals such as child's education or retirement should opt for an increasing term insurance plan.
While you are saving through investment for these goals, there must be a term insurance with increasing cover to save these long-term goals in case of your unfortunate demise. An increasing term plan offers financial protection and helps to keep up with inflation.
Comparing Increasing Term Insurance with Other Types of Term Insurance
Tax Benefits of Increasing Term Insurance Plan
Tax Deduction on Premium Paid
Premiums paid for a term insurance plan qualify for tax deductions under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act 1961. The maximum deduction allowed under this section is ₹1.5 lakh per financial year. The deduction applies to premiums paid for policies covering yourself, your spouse, and your children.Tax-Free Death Benefit
The death benefit the nominee receives under a term insurance plan is entirely tax-free under Section 10(10D) of the Income Tax Act. There is no upper limit on the amount that can be received tax-free as a death benefit, provided the premium does not exceed 10% of the sum assured for policies issued after April 1, 2012.FAQs about Increasing Term Insurance
Can I get a loan against my increasing term insurance plan?
How is the premium for an increasing term insurance plan calculated?
Can I increase the base sum assured of my increasing term insurance plan after buying it?
Why should I choose increasing term insurance over a level term policy?
Can the increase in coverage be customized?
Is there a limit to how much the coverage can increase?
How are the increases in coverage reflected in the policy premiums?
Is a medical exam required for increasing term insurance?
Does increasing term insurance provide any cash value?
How does inflation impact the decision to choose increasing term insurance?
Under what circumstances does the coverage amount increase?
Which component increases in an increasing term insurance plan?
What is an increasing term insurance plan?
How does an increasing term insurance plan work?
Who should consider buying an increasing term insurance plan?
What are the benefits of an increasing term insurance plan?
Are there any drawbacks to increasing term insurance plans?
The primary drawback is that the premium will increase over time as the sum assured grows. This can lead to higher out-of-pocket expenses, especially if your income doesn't keep pace with the premium increases.
If your financial situation changes significantly, you may find it difficult to maintain the policy, potentially leaving your beneficiaries unprotected.
How does an increasing term insurance plan differ from a level term insurance plan?
How do I apply for an increasing term insurance plan?
What documents are required to apply for an increasing term insurance plan?
What happens to my increasing term insurance plan if I outlive the policy term?
How does the increasing term insurance plan handle pre-existing conditions?
What is the difference between increasing term insurance and decreasing term insurance?
Other Important Articles Related to Term Insurance
Disclaimer
- This is an informative article provided on 'as is' basis for awareness purpose only and not intended as a professional advice. The content of the article is derived from various open sources across the Internet. Digit Life Insurance is not promoting or recommending any aspect in the article or its correctness. Please verify the information and your requirement before taking any decisions.
- All the figures reflected in the article are for illustrative purposes. The premium for Coverage that one buys depends on various factors including customer requirements, eligibility, age, demography, insurance provider, product, coverage amount, term and other factors
- Tax Benefits, if applicable depend on the Tax Regime opted by the individual and the applicable tax provision. Please consult your Tax consultant before making any decision.
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