fathima tabasum

Written By

Fathima Tabasum

ashok manwani

Reviewed By

Ashok Manwani

Different Types of Riders in Term Insurance Plans in India

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What are Term Insurance Riders?

Imagine you bought a new phone you love to use, but you’re worried that if you accidentally drop it, the phone might break or get damaged. So, you get a phone cover to keep your phone safe. This is like a basic insurance policy.

Later, you also decide to protect the screen with an additional screen guard to provide extra protection. This additional cover is like a term insurance rider that will provide additional benefit to your family in any situation.

So, while a basic term insurance policy will offer death benefits to the policyholder, adding term insurance riders will enhance the policy’s coverage by providing you additional benefits.

Term insurance riders provide flexibility in terms of the premium amount and duration of the policy as the amount of these riders are added to the base premium of the term insurance policy. Therefore, opting for riders increases the policy’s coverage while simultaneously allowing you to customise it per your needs.

What are the Different Types of Term Insurance Riders?

Accidental Death Benefit Rider

Accidental Death Benefit Rider

Accidents are unpredictable, and anyone can be a victim of them. In such financially traumatic situations, the accidental death benefit rider pays the supplementary sum assured to the beneficiary in case of the policyholder’s untimely death due to an accident. The sum assured is paid within 120-180 days from the date of the accident.

However, this rider does not provide benefits in case of death due to suicide, self-inflicted injuries, substance abuse/overdose, and participation in riots or rebellion.

Who Should Opt for an Accidental Death Benefit Rider?

Individuals prone to higher life risks, such as construction and mine workers or those who travel frequently

Accidental Total and Permanent Disability Rider

This type of term insurance rider will bear the financial burden of your loved ones if the policyholder suffers from permanent or partial disability due to an unfortunate accident and lose the ability to earn a living. The rider provides you with a full or partial sum assured depending on the degree of disability as a lump sum. The option to get payout in instalments is available depending upon your insurer.

Who Should Opt For an Accidental Total and Permanent Disability Rider?

Individuals who commute daily, travel frequently, or work in high-risk jobs such as construction sites, mining sites or a manufacturing factory.

Critical Illness Rider

Critical Illness Rider

Critical Illness Rider protects financially if the policyholder has been diagnosed with one of the critical illnesses pre-specified in the rider and covers the high medical costs of the treatment, up to the amount of rider chosen.

It compensates the loss of earnings with a lump sum amount. The rider is active till the term insurance policy duration although its benefits can be claimed only once.

Who Should Opt for Critical Illness Rider?

Individuals with a family history of serious health conditions or those who are the sole breadwinners of their family.

Terminal Illness Rider

Terminal Illness Rider

If you have purchased the Terminal Illness Rider in your policy and are later diagnosed with a terminal illness wherein short life expectancy is medically confirmed, then this rider provides you with a part of the sum assured to pay for the medical expenses of the illness. The remaining amount is paid to the family after you pass away.

It is a low-cost rider that helps your family during your last days and after you pass away.

Who Should Opt for Terminal Illness Rider?

If you have dependents relying on you for financial support, limited savings, or if you think your health insurance coverage might not be able to cover all the costs incurred due to terminal illness.

Waiver of Premium Rider

Waiver of Premium Rider

Waiver of Premium Rider in term insurance waves off the future premiums to provide financial respite to the policyholder who may be suffering from a disability or loss of income and cannot pay future premiums.

If you become permanently disabled, you won’t have to pay any more premiums for your term insurance policy. However, your policy will stay active, and the coverage amount will remain the same until the policy ends.

If you are diagnosed with a critical illness listed in your policy, you won’t have to pay any more premiums. Just like the disability rider, your policy will continue to be active, and the coverage amount will stay the same until the policy ends.

This ensures that the policy continues till maturity even in case of non-payment of premium, thus reducing your financial worries.

However, this term insurance rider can only be availed of if the policyholder has been disabled for six months or more or has been diagnosed with any life-threatening illnesses.

Who Should Opt for Waiver of Premium Rider?

People who are more at risk of getting injured or falling ill or have dependents, and parents with dependent children.

HospiCare Rider

HospiCare Rider

The HospiCare Rider is an add-on to a term insurance policy that provides extra financial support if you need to be hospitalized. If you end up in the hospital, it pays you a certain percentage of your main insurance amount. If you’re admitted to the ICU, this payout is usually doubled. This money can help cover your medical expenses so you can focus on getting better. Just remember to check the policy details and terms, as there might be some limitations.

Who Should Opt for HospiCare Rider?

The HospiCare Rider is ideal for those seeking extra financial protection against hospitalization costs, especially if they lack comprehensive health insurance or have a family history of health issues.

Income Benefit Rider

Income Benefit Rider

Income Benefit Rider is an add-on to a term insurance policy that provides financial support to your family if you pass away during the policy period. Instead of receiving a lump sum, your family will get the insurance amount as a monthly income for a set number of years.

Who Should Opt for Income Benefit Rider?

The Income Benefit Rider is ideal for those who want to ensure their family receives a steady income over several years instead of a lump sum after their death.

Our Expert Explains Why You Should Enhance Your Term Plan with Riders

Riders can be added to the plan at a small additional cost. They enhance the coverage and provide much-needed financial support during challenging times.

 

For instance, the accidental death and disablement rider ensures financial stability in the event of accidental death or disability. The critical illness rider offers a lump-sum payout if diagnosed with severe illnesses like cancer or heart disease. Lastly, the waiver of premium rider keeps the policy active even if premiums cannot be paid due to disability or illness. These riders offer tailored protection to meet unique needs.

Ashok Manwani

VP, Life Insurance Products

Benefits of Adding Riders to Your Term Life Insurance

Term insurance riders can significantly enhance your coverage by providing additional benefits tailored to specific needs. Here’s a brief of rider benefits:

Enhanced Coverage

Enhanced Coverage

Term insurance is mainly for a death benefit, but with riders, you can add more features. For instance, a critical illness rider helps financially if you get seriously sick while the policy is active.

Customization

Customization

Everyone’s insurance needs are unique. Riders let you tailor your term insurance to fit your exact needs, like adding coverage for accidental death or disability.

Cost-Effective

Cost-Effective

Choosing riders within your term insurance can be cheaper than having separate policies for each extra protection. This way, you often pay less for premiums than you would for individual policies.

Comprehensive Protection

Comprehensive Protection

With riders, your term insurance can cover more situations, like critical illnesses, accidental death, disability, and even provide income for your family after you pass away. This makes your safety net wider for you and your loved ones.

Flexibility

Flexibility

Term insurance with riders is flexible; you can adjust your coverage as your life changes. This means you can add or remove riders as needed to match life events or financial shifts.

Peace of Mind

Peace of Mind

Having extra protections beyond just the death benefit means you and your loved ones have more financial security against different risks and uncertainties. Riders bring extra comfort knowing you’re well-protected.

Why Should You Purchase Riders in Term Insurance?

Purchasing riders in term insurance can be highly beneficial for several reasons:

More Economical

Term insurance riders are an economical way to enhance the policy's coverage. By paying a minimal additional premium, a rider can get additional significant benefits and provide support in situations where additional funds might be needed.

For example, if you get a critical illness rider, you will receive a cash payout if you are diagnosed with a serious illness, which can be very helpful with medical bills.

Comprehensive Protection

Term insurance riders provide enhanced protection to families when faced with financial turmoil such as accidental death, terminal illness, permanent disability, etc. Choosing the appropriate term riders can cover the medical expenses and provide the death benefit to support the family.

Saves Money

It's usually cheaper to add a rider to your existing policy than to buy a whole new insurance policy for the same coverage. This way, you get the extra protection you need without spending too much.

Personalized for You

With riders, you can make your insurance policy fit your exact needs and life situation. Whether you need an extra payout in case of an accidental death or you want to make sure your premiums are covered if you lose your income, there's a rider for that.

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How to Choose the Best Term Insurance Plan with Riders?

An insurance policy with the appropriate term insurance riders is important to ensure that you get comprehensive coverage at an affordable premium. So, choose the term insurance riders by keeping in mind the below points:

Assess Your Needs

Assess Your Needs

To choose the best rider in term insurance, determine your financial needs and goals first. Assess your age, health, and present and long-term financial situation to choose a rider that meets all your needs.

Research and Compare

Do your market research to know the different types of riders available in term insurance, including their benefits and premium charges. Then compare the best term insurance plan with riders from reputable companies to choose the one that is in your budget and best aligns with your requirements.

Reach Out to Experts

Reach Out to Experts

Approach a professional expert in term insurance to guide you to the best term insurance policy. Such an expert will evaluate your needs and explain the pros and cons of different riders to offer advice on a term plan with riders that is personalised for your needs.

Read the Policy Document Carefully

Read the Policy Document Carefully

Before finally purchasing an insurance policy, read the policy document carefully for both the base term insurance policy and the rider(s) so that you don’t overlook any terms and conditions, exclusions, and inclusions of the policy that may bother you at the time of claims.

Eligibility Criteria for Buying Term Insurance Riders

The eligibility criteria for adding riders to a term insurance policy can vary significantly between insurance companies and the specific riders being considered. However, there are some common criteria and considerations that typically apply:

Criteria Description
Age Limits Most riders have minimum 18 years and maximum 65 years age limits for eligibility.
Medical Underwriting Depending on the rider, an insurer may require additional medical underwriting beyond what was required for the base term insurance policy.
Policy Status The base term insurance policy must be active and not in a grace period or lapse status.
Financial Underwriting The insurer may require financial underwriting to ensure the total coverage amount is in line with the insured's financial situation.
Existing Health Conditions The eligibility for specific riders may be affected by pre-existing health conditions. For example, if someone has a history of heart disease, they might not be eligible for a critical illness rider that covers heart-related illnesses.
Occupation and Lifestyle Some riders, particularly those offering disability or accident coverage, may have eligibility criteria related to the insured's occupation, hobbies, or lifestyle habits, considering the risk level associated with these factors.
Geographic Location Certain riders may not be available in all locations due to regulatory or risk considerations. It's important to check with the insurer whether a specific rider is available in your area.
Policy Duration The availability of riders can also depend on the term length of the base policy. Some riders may not be attachable to very short-term policies.

Documents Required for Buying Term Insurance with Riders

When considering riders in term insurance, gathering all necessary documentation is essential to ensure a smooth application process. The documents typically required include:

Identity Proof

Age Proof

Address Proof

Income Proof

Photographs

Medical Reports

Things to Remember Before Buying a Term Plan with Riders

Things to Remember Before Buying a Term Plan with Riders

Note down these key things to note about term insurance rider before you add one to your basic term policy:

  • You can choose term insurance riders to customise your policy.
  • Check the terms and conditions associated with different term plan riders before adding them to the base policy.
  • You can add the term plan riders when you buy the policy, while some insurance companies allow you to add riders at the time of policy renewal.
  • Also, you can add the rider for less or same duration as the base policy but cannot exceed it.

 

Therefore, buying term riders for an insurance policy is entirely your choice. Purchasing a rider would be highly beneficial if you want enhanced coverage over your base term insurance policy with the same insurance company.

How to Add Riders to Your Existing Term Life Policy?

Below are four simple steps to add a rider to your existing policy:

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Review Your Current Policy

Review your current policy to understand available rider options.

Contact Your Insurance Provider

Contact your insurance provider to discuss adding a rider.

Complete and Submit Required Forms

Your insurer will provide the necessary forms to add the rider. Fill them out accurately and gather any required documentation. Submit everything as instructed by your provider.

Confirm and Review Updated Policy

Confirm the addition of the rider with your insurer and review updated policy details.

Common Exclusions in Term Insurance Riders

Common Exclusions in Term Insurance Riders

Term insurance riders are additional benefits you can add to your basic term insurance policy, usually at an extra cost. However, these riders come with certain conditions or situations where the benefit won't apply. Common exclusions typically include:

Pre-existing Conditions

Many riders do not cover ailments or conditions that were diagnosed before the policy or rider was purchased.

Suicide

If the insured commits suicide within a specified period from the start of the policy (usually one or two years), the benefit from the rider may not be payable.

Dangerous Activities

Deaths resulting from participation in high-risk activities or dangerous sports, such as skydiving, bungee jumping, etc., may be excluded.

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FAQs about Riders in Term Insurance

Can I terminate the term riders at any time?

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Yes, you can terminate term riders anytime by contacting your insurance provider. However, it’s important to understand the implications, such as losing additional coverage benefits.

Can multiple riders be included in a term plan?

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Yes, you can include multiple riders in a term plan. Common riders include critical illness, accidental death, and waiver of premium, allowing you to customize your coverage.

What happens if I stop paying for a term rider plan?

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If you stop paying for a term rider plan, the rider will lapse, and you will lose the additional coverage it provides. Your base term plan, however, will remain unaffected as long as you continue paying its premiums.

What is a term insurance rider?

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A term insurance rider is an add-on to a life insurance policy that provides additional death benefit coverage for a specific term, typically 10, 20, or 30 years. It enhances your life policy by offering extra coverages or benefits tailored to your unique needs.

How does a term insurance rider differ from a standalone term policy?

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A term insurance rider is attached to a term life insurance policy, providing additional coverage, whereas a standalone term policy is an independent policy that offers coverage for a specific period.

Are there different types of term insurance riders?

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Yes, common types include accelerated death benefit riders, accidental death benefit riders, child term riders, and critical illness riders. Each type offers specific benefits tailored to different needs.

How is the premium for a term insurance rider calculated?

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The premium for a term insurance rider is typically based on the additional coverage amount, the insured’s age, health, and the term length of the rider. It is generally lower than the premium for a standalone term policy.

Can a term insurance rider be removed without affecting the base policy?

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Yes, most insurance companies allow term riders to be terminated early without disturbing the base permanent life insurance policy. However, this depends on the specific provisions of the rider.

Are there any disadvantages to adding a term insurance rider?

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Yes, One potential disadvantage is that the additional coverage is temporary and will expire after the term ends. Additionally, the rider may increase the overall premium of the base policy.

How do I decide if a term insurance rider is right for me?

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Consider your financial needs, such as temporary obligations (e.g., mortgage, children’s education), and compare the cost of adding a rider versus purchasing a separate term policy. Consulting with a financial advisor can also help determine the best option for your situation.

Why should I consider a ₹1 crore term insurance plan with riders?

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A ₹1 crore term insurance plan with riders offers you and your family comprehensive financial protection. This substantial coverage ensures your loved ones are financially secure in unforeseen events. Adding riders like critical illness or accidental death enhances your policy, providing additional benefits that cater to specific needs. 

Affordable premiums make it a wise investment for long-term security and peace of mind. Protecting your family's future is invaluable, making this plan a strong consideration.

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